Chatham Bars Inn: Your Private Gateway to the Cape Cod National Seashore

To stand on the shoreline of the Cape Cod National Seashore is to see the Atlantic exactly as it was centuries ago—wild, salt-sprayed, and infinite. While many visitors navigate traffic to reach the park’s famous dunes, guests at Chatham Bars Inn enjoy a different experience: a seamless transition from the classic luxury of our 1914 estate to the vast, open horizon of the National Seashore’s protected wilderness. Whether you are stepping onto our private boat launch or getting behind the wheel of a luxury vehicle, you are following a path of preservation blazed over sixty years ago by a president with a deep love for these waters.

A Presidential Vision & A Tapestry of History

The Seashore’s existence is inextricably linked to **President John F. Kennedy. In the summer of 1961, Kennedy signed the legislation that protected this forty-mile stretch of coastline from the threat of overdevelopment. He pioneered the "Cape Cod Model," that allowed the federal government to preserve a national treasure while respecting the local heritage of the Outer Cape.

Kennedy knew these sands held the echoes of American history. This is where the Pilgrims first anchored the Mayflower in 1620 and signed the Mayflower Compact. It is where Guglielmo Marconi made history in 1903 by sending the first transatlantic wireless message to Europe. By protecting this land, JFK ensured that these milestones of culture and technology would always have a home amidst the dunes.

Discovery by Sea: Our Private Dock

At Chatham Bars Inn, the ocean is your backyard. Our on-site private dock is the ultimate access point for maritime discovery, allowing you to bypass the crowds and head straight for the blue. From here, our fleet of custom boats and U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains are ready to whisk you away to the offshore reaches of the Seashore that land-bound tourists never see.

A complimentary boat launch takes guests directly from the Inn to the secluded sands of the National Seashore’s outer beaches. It is a world of nesting shorebirds, sunbathing seals, and total tranquility—providing a perspective of the coastline that can only be truly appreciated from the water.

Adventure by Land: The Lexus Partnership

For those who wish to explore the Seashore’s northern reaches, our exclusive Lexus partnership offers a premier vantage point. Through the Lexus Drive Program, guests can borrow a world-class vehicle to traverse the Cape’s scenic backroads in style.

The journey reaches its peak at Race Point in Provincetown. As part of the National Seashore, this iconic area is one of the few places in the country where "oversand" driving is permitted. Behind the wheel of a Lexus, you can experience the thrill of driving directly onto the sand, navigating the dunes to find a private stretch of beach where the Atlantic meets the tip of the Cape.

Accolades and Enduring Beauty

Today, the Cape Cod National Seashore is globally recognized for its ecological and recreational significance. It has been hailed as one of the best beaches in the U.S. by publications like USA Today and Travel + Leisure. In 2021, it celebrated its 60th anniversary, continuing to serve as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife—from the piping plover to the great white shark—and a sanctuary for the millions of visitors who walk its trails each year.

For guests of Chatham Bars Inn, the National Seashore isn't just a nearby destination—it's part of the resort's very identity. The Inn's private beach looks directly out onto North Beach Island, a shifting barrier beach that is part of the National Seashore. Whether you are exploring the Marconi wireless site or simply watching the seals from our private beach or your oceanfront suite, the Cape Cod National Seashore is a reminder of why this "curved arm" of Massachusetts remains one of the most beloved places on earth.