Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

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
Celebrate Pride LGBTQIA+ Evening Get-Together
Celebrate Pride LGBTQIA+ Evening Get-Together
This free program offers a special chance to enjoy the sanctuary after sunset! We’ll also relax by a fire to socialize and enjoy snacks. Save your spot >
In Search of Horseshoe Crabs: Tagging & Research
In Search of Horseshoe Crabs: Tagging & Research
To mark International Horseshoe Crab Day, you’ll learn about these ancient animals and how we’re working to conserve them in this free program. Register online >
Sanctuary News & Events

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.

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
A state advisory commission has rejected proposed rules to restrict the harvest of horseshoe crabs during their spawning season, despite receiving more than 1,100 comments from Mass Audubon supporters. Conservationists say they’ll continue to push for more protections.