Cape Cod National Seashore Goes Digital: Cash No Longer Accepted Starting This Summer
Cape Cod National Seashore has announced its transition to a completely cashless operation at all fee entrance stations beginning in July.
In a significant move towards modernizing payment systems, Cape Cod National Seashore has announced its transition to a completely cashless operation at all fee entrance stations beginning July 1, 2025. The new policy will require visitors to use credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments for beach entrance fees. The decision comes as part of a broader federal initiative, supported by a recent Executive Order and U.S. Treasury policies, aimed at reducing cash and check transactions across government operations.
Park Superintendent Jennifer Flynn highlighted the operational benefits of this transition, noting that "Cash sales represent 10-percent of in-person sales in the park." Flynn further explained that during peak summer months, "park rangers spend up to eight and a half hours per day documenting, reporting, and transferring cash receipts."
This shift to electronic payments is expected to bring multiple advantages to both the park and its visitors. The new system promises enhanced safety, faster transaction times, and improved accountability. More importantly, it will free up valuable staff time, with Flynn emphasizing that the change will "increase their availability to engage with the public and collect fees while increasing the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and visitor services."
The collected entrance fees play a vital role in maintaining and improving park facilities. Recent projects funded by these revenues include the reconstruction of the Marconi Beach boardwalk and observation platform, installation of new fee booths, and renovation of the Beech Forest trail boardwalk.
Visitors to the park will have multiple payment options available, including credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments through Recreation.gov's online service and mobile app. This platform also serves hundreds of other federal recreation sites across various agencies, including the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the National Park Service's press release at https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/news/cape-cod-national-seashore-to-move-to-fully-cashless-fee-collection-july-1.htm.
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