Natural wonders abound throughout the Bay State, especially on the Cape. Cape Cod in and of itself could be considered a natural wonder in Massachusetts, but there’s one spot, in particular, with such head-turning, jaw-dropping beauty that you may feel like you’re either in the middle of a desert or on another planet.
The dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore cover an expanse of approximately 8,500 acres between Chatham and Provincetown. However, there’s no area of the Seashore quite like the otherworldly Province Lands dunes.
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The Province Lands dunes started to form after the glacial retreat more than 18,000 years ago. Eventually sand was blown inland to form dunes.
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After the dunes were formed, trees and shrubs eventually grew. However, European settlers in the 1600s stripped the dunes of vegetation to build houses and establish farmland. Because of that, the dunes started to shift and change over time.
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Today, the dunes of the Province Lands range in height between 30-100 feet. There are linear sand dunes that lie mostly by the water and parabolic sand dunes which are found more inland.
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A hike through the Province Lands dunes is absolutely incredible, albeit quite a difficult, challenging hike. If you do decide to hike here, make sure you are in excellent physical condition, wear appropriate footwear, and take plenty of water, especially on a hot day.
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You will also get to see several dune shacks that dot the sandy, desert-like landscape. There are 19 shacks in all, 18 of which are owned by the National Park Service. These historic structures were built in the 1920s and have been temporary homes to artists and writers throughout the years.
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One thing’s for sure – there’s no place in Massachusetts quite like the Province Lands and its dunes.
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Have you explored this spectacular natural wonder in Massachusetts? The Province Lands dunes are quite otherworldly. For more information, visit the National Park Service website.
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Want a unique way to explore the dunes in Provincetown? Book a tour with Art’s Dune Tours for the experience of a lifetime!
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Address: Provincetown, MA, USA
