Nauset Beach South / Chatham North Beach will open with Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) protocols in place beginning at 8:00 am on Monday, July 22, 2024.
As in the past 9 seasons, the HCP allows Over-Sand Vehicles (OSV) both access and egress during three specified access windows. OSV will only be allowed access/egress to the beach as follows:
No OSV will be allowed on or off the beach outside of specified access windows.
All OSV, with the exception of self-contained, are expected to be off the beach by 5:30pm. No egress through the self-escort zones will be allowed after 6pm.
All OSV will be required to have a passenger over the age of 16 to walk in front of the vehicle in the specified self-escort zones. This is a mandatory requirement with a zero-tolerance policy. Anyone that fails to follow the HCP Procedures and Conditions will be subject to sticker revocation.
OSV will only be permitted onto the beach if they have in possession a signed copy of the HCP Procedures and Conditions. Please make sure you have read and understood the HCP Procedures and Conditions. A copy of the HCP Procedures and Conditions is available for print on the Town of Orleans website. Also, make sure you have watched the HCP video on the Town of Orleans website.
Available beach for OSV parking:
- Trail 1 is open.
- Trail 2 is closed due to lack of beach.
- Trail 3 is closed due to lack of beach.
- Trail 4 is open.
- Trail 5 is open.
- Trail 5.5 is open.
- Trail 6 is open.
- Trail 6.5 is closed.
- Trail 7 is closed.
- South of Trail 8 is closed due to shorebirds.
Any people, dogs, or OSV in closed areas will be subject to sticker revocation. This is a zero-tolerance policy. Dogs are allowed in open areas South of Trail 1 and must be on a leash maximum length of 30 feet.
See maps below:

