Head of the Meadow Beach

Overview

Head of the Meadow is a classic Atlantic-facing beach in North Truro: tall dunes at your back, a broad, shifting strand in front, and a real sense of wild Cape. This stretch is part of the Cape’s famed “ocean graveyard,” and on extra-low tides you can sometimes spot timbers from the 1872 shipwreck Frances.

What You’ll See

Expect frequent seal sightings cruising the bars, plus occasional offshore whale activity if seas are calm. At low tide, wide sandbars and little pools form—great for wading and boogie boarding when the surf mellows. It’s open, windy, and beautiful; on hot August days that breeze is a feature, not a bug.

Facilities and Services

Amenities are summer-centric: restrooms (and in-season outdoor showers), lifeguards on duty during the main season (typically through Labor Day), and a seasonal food vendor. There are separate parking lots with different rules—one for the Town of Truro and one for the National Seashore—so read signs. You’ll also find bike racks and a nearby bike trailhead. A limited number of beach fire permits are issued daily.

Wildlife, Safety and Rules

This is prime shorebird habitat. Expect roped-off sections for nesting piping plovers in spring and summer; give them space and follow closures. Seals are common, which means white sharks can be around—avoid swimming near seals and heed posted advisories. Biting greenhead flies can show up in midsummer, so come prepared. Dogs are generally allowed outside lifeguarded zones when leashed, but restrictions apply during nesting season.

Getting There

From US‑6, go about a quarter mile north of the Highland Road/Cape Cod Light exit and turn right at the brown Head of the Meadow Beach sign. Continue roughly two miles to the beach and bike trailhead. Use extra caution turning on and off Route 6 in summer traffic.

Best Time to Visit

Early mornings and the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) deliver lighter crowds, softer light, and easier parking. Aim for low tide if you want your best shot at glimpsing the Frances wreck and exploring sandbars. Midday in peak summer is the crunch: lots fill, closures can pinch beach width, and traffic on Route 6 backs up.