Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Boardwalk at Wellfleet Bay © Victoria Bettuelli
© Victoria Bettuelli

Wellfleet Bay provides peace and unmatched beauty on the hillsides and shoreline overlooking Wellfleet Harbor. Extensive trails bring you to a panoramic salt marsh, sandy barrier beach, and pine woodlands, each attracting a wide array of wildlife. The sanctuary features a universally accessible trail and an award-winning "green" nature center with numerous exhibits and aquariums. Please leave dogs and other pets at home.

Location: 291 State Highway Route 6, South Wellfleet, MA 02663
Phone: 508-349-2615
Hours: Open Daily, 9 am–4 pm • Trails open dawn to dusk

More information, property regulations, & directions >

Reptiles and Amphibians of Cape Cod

Reptiles and Amphibians of Cape Cod

Box turtle © Kim Novino
© Kim Novino

Get to know our native turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders with this monthly series. Register soon >

Early Bird Walks

Early Bird Walks

Yellow Warbler © Sherri VandenAkker
Yellow Warbler © Sherri VandenAkker

Join us for a relaxed stroll on the trails in search of the latest spring migrants and our year-round birds. Register now >

Sanctuary News & Events

Cape Scientists Share a Day Camp Connection

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Nearly 30 years ago, Abby Franklin was a day camp counselor and one of her campers was Katie Castagno, a kindergartener. Eventually, Abby became a teacher/naturalist at Wellfleet Bay and Katie a camp counselor. Today, both are successful scientists on Cape Cod. They say their years at Wellfleet Bay had a lot to do with shaping their careers.

More News

Upcoming Programs

June 20, 2023 (Tuesday) 4:30-6:00pm
Join a naturalist to search for and learn about diamondback terrapins, a threatened species of salt marsh turtle. Read more
View Full Schedule