The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts

Sandy Neck Preserve

Invasive Volunteers photograph by TNC Staff

Why You Should Visit
Characterized by sand dunes and coastal thicket, this six-mile barrier beach protects some of the best dune and swale communities in the Northeast. The beach provides important nesting and feeding habitat for migrating shorebirds and the federally threatened piping plover. Diamondback terrapin turtles also nest and feed in the dunes and saltmarsh.

Location
Barnstable, Massachusetts

Hours
Dawn to dusk

Size
12 acres

Conditions
A nature trail begins at the property’s gatehouse (you must pay for parking during the summer). Visitors are instructed to stay on the beach, dune or marsh trails; access to dunes is not permitted. Due to the difficulty of access to TNC property, we recommend you use the town’s marked trails.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
If you have any questions while planning your outing, please contact our Boston office at (617) 227-7017.

Directions
From Boston:

Take Route 93S to Route 3.
Follow Route 3 to Sagamore Bridge and then take Route 6 to Exit 5.
Turn left onto Route 149N (approximately one mile).
Take a left onto Route 6A (approximately four miles).
On the left will be The Beach House Restaurant. Across the street is Sandy Neck Rd. Turn right and drive to the end of the street to the parking lot.

What to See: Plants
Dune plants and saltmarsh plants

What to See: Animals
Piping plovers, migrating shorebirds, Diamondback terrapin turtles

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Sandy Neck offers one of the best beach and dune systems in the eco-region.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
TNC is working with the town of Barnstable to reduce impacts from invasive species and recreational use at Sandy Neck.