Activities on the Cape Cod National Seashore in Truro, Massachusetts

Truro has a lot to offer Cape Cod home buyers because of its outstanding beaches, quiet atmosphere, and excellent accessibility. The town's location means that you're never far from the water, and since Route 6 runs through the region's center, you can reach other parts of the Cape without trouble.

Once you buy a home in Truro, you're sure to spend some time on the Cape Cod National Seashore, a 68-square-mile oceanfront park with about 40 miles of shoreline, coastal pine forests, and cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The Cape Cod National Seashore is full of activities for residents and visitors alike, and you're sure to spend a lot of time there once you live in the region.

You'll find numerous ways to keep yourself busy in Truro's section of the National Seashore; here's a look at some of the most popular.

Highlands Center at Cape Cod National Seashore

One notable venue on the Cape Cod National Seashore is the Highlands Center, the former home of the North Truro Air Force Station. 

The base first came into operation during World War II and, between 1951 and 1985, was the location of one of the country's most crucial radar air defense systems. These radars could track Soviet aircraft up to 500 miles from shore, providing the United States with an early warning system in case of an attack during the Cold War.

The base closed in 1985 and was turned over to the National Park Service in 1994. Today, you can wander the old military buildings, many of which are still in use as research facilities, educational sites, and art studios, for an up-close look at history.

There's also a hike through the woods around the base. This walk will take you to a ghost town that features abandoned housing communities from the Cold War, making it an entertaining way to spend an afternoon.

Payomet Performing Arts Center

On-site at the Highlands Center is the Payomet Performing Arts Center, one of the Cape's top theater and concert venues. There's always something going on at the Payomet, particularly during the summer when they erect the Big Top Tent for the center's resident circus troupe. 

Tickets to the events at the Payomet Performing Arts Center tend to sell out quickly. However, you can sign up for a membership that provides you with access to presales, discounts, and even complimentary tickets to some events, depending on the option you choose. There's a season's pass membership, too, which is a good deal if you plan to attend most of the venue's shows.

Highland Lighthouse

You'll find the Highland Lighthouse, also known as the Cape Cod Light, north of the Highlands Center. This lighthouse is the oldest in operation on the Cape, dating back to 1857, and is a must-see while exploring the park.

The Highland Light's grounds are open year-round, and you can take a guided tour of the interior between May and the end of October. There's an on-site museum, too, giving you insight into the lighthouse's history and its significance to the Outer Cape. 

The Highlands

Truro's Highlands and the Cape Cod National Seashore are often synonymous, but there are some locations through this region that belong in a separate category.

If you're looking for some time away from the water, there are some hiking trails through this area. Pilgrim Spring Trail, where the Pilgrims first found freshwater after landing on Cape Cod in 1620, crosses between High Head and Head of Meadow Beach. Once you reach the beach, you can hike along the cliffs overlooking the shores or head back through the woods. 

You can also hike to the Bearberry Hill Summit, which offers panoramic views over Ballston Beach and the surrounding forest and bog. The rolling hills through this area create a spectacular backdrop for a walk.

The ocean views throughout the Cape Cod National Seashore are unparalleled, and there are even spots where you can walk down the cliffs to the water. Just make sure you don't get stuck there at high tide or during a storm because the waves are remarkably powerful.

This area also has the Highland Links Golf Course, a venue that's over 100 years old and one of the only true links courses in the country. Golfers have played on the cliffs of Truro since 1892, with redesigns in 1913 and 1955 giving it its current layout. If you love golf and want to play an authentic Scottish-style course, this is the only place in the United States to do so.

The Cape Cod National Seashore's Beaches

And yes, you can also visit the Cape Cod National Seashore's beaches. Head of Meadow Beach, Ballston Beach, Coast Guard Beach, and Longnook Beach are all within Truro, giving you all kinds of options for a day in the sun.

Head of Meadow is the busiest of the bunch in Truro, primarily because it has two large parking lots and multiple places to access the water. The water develops natural tidal pools during low tide and makes it a pleasant place to visit with children. 

Ballston, Longnook, and Coast Guard, not to be confused with Eastham's Coast Guard Beach, are more rustic sites with limited parking. These beaches are incredibly beautiful, but you'll have to arrive early in the day when visiting with a vehicle. 

Living in Beautiful Truro

Truro's rolling hills, massive dunes, steep cliffs, and beachfront land make it a unique place to live on Cape Cod. Having excellent access to the Cape Cod National Seashore is perhaps reason enough to consider buying a home in this town with about 1,800 permanent residents; its other amenities are icing on the cake.

It doesn't get much better than owning property on the Cape, and Truro is genuinely one of the region's underrated jewels.