Truro Hostel

Truro Hostel is Cape Cod National Seashore's only hostel, a large white, two-story house on a small hill about 0.3 miles from Ballston Beach. It's a handy base for a beach trip if you're comfortable with shared facilities; the house sits back from the sand, rather than right on it.

The hostel offers shared dorms with 7, 12, or 14 beds, plus private rooms for two with a queen or double bed. Guests share a fully equipped kitchen, dining room with views, and a common room. It suits travelers who are fine with a communal stay; dorms and shared areas mean less privacy. Some summer guests report warm rooms and bothersome flies, so ask about room cooling if that matters to you.

Shops and restaurants aren't close enough to count on without a car, so bring groceries and use the guest kitchen. Free guest parking is first-come, first-served, and guest Wi-Fi is available. Driving or cycling is the practical way to arrive; the nearest bus stop is about a two-mile walk away. The hostel operates seasonally, so check its current season before planning an overnight stay. There is no elevator; contact the hostel ahead if you need to discuss wheelchair access or stairs.

The house was built in 1929 as Pamet River Coast Guard Station and served as a stationhouse until 1938. An earlier Pamet River Life Saving Station dates to 1872, but it stood at a different location along the river.