Dry Summer on the the Beach?

"Over the past five years visitation has grown 20 to 25%  year after year ... busload upon busload of people are coming to party and consume large quantities of alcohol ..."

— Michael Valora,
Chief Ranger, Cape Cod National Seashore

Why ban alcohol on the beach?

Officials at Cape Cod National Seashore say the disorderly conduct and public consumption of alcohol on Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet has grown dramatically over the past several years, with literally busloads of people descending to visit and drink over the July 4th holiday weekend.

Chief Ranger Michael Valora says the resulting "party destination" environment triggered concern in both town and Seashore, and the ban resulted from that concern and aligns town and Seashore policies on that stretch of beach.

When does the alcohol ban begin?

The ban will be in effect throughout the 2023 summer season. It begins May 20th and runs through September 10th and applies to the National Seashore stretch of Cahoon Hollow Beach. The town of Wellfleet already has a bylaw banning alcohol on the beach on its portion of Cahoon Hollow, and this change coordinates Seashore and town policies.