Nothing alleviates the stress of vacation planning like a trip to the beach… especially the beach along the southern edge of Cape Cod. This wonderful sandy oasis is the centerpiece for the South Cape Beach State Park, providing visitors with oodles of sand, sun and summer fun. Conveniently located between Waquoit Bay and Vineyard Sound, the South Cape Beach boasts a wide variety of coastal amenities, environments and activities. A magnificent white sand beach stretches for over a mile inside the park, so grab your towel and get ready. A relaxing afternoon is waiting for you.

A part of the bigger picture

The shimmering sands of the South Cape are both State Park designated land as well as a part of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Based in Falmouth and managed by the DCR and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine helps protect a number of endangered species and unique ecosystems. The South Cape Beach is an important part of the estuarine because of wide spanning barrier beaches, along with the local bird life and aquatic life.

Building a better vacation destination for you and your Massachusetts car rental friends

The South Cape Beach State Park has recently made some improvements to the area's beaches, providing Massachusetts car rental with first-class amenities. Additions have included newly-constructed over-the-dune boardwalks, a small parking area and super-clean bathrooms. And the best part? All of these new amenities were inserted without harming the environment. Precautions were made to protect the fragile dune system which surrounds the beach as well as the surrounding salt marsh and scrub oak/pitch pine woodland. Massachusetts car rental customers are encouraged to learn more about the environmental aspects of the local beaches through interpretive summer programs.

There's plenty to do besides visit the beach...

The South Cape Beach State Park may be best known for its swimming amenities, but that's not the only thing this park offers. A handful of dryer recreational activities are offered at the park as well, including hiking, fishing, seasonal hunting and birdwatching. Canoeing and boating is also permitted in the park, providing Massachusetts car rental customers with hours of family fun. Interpretive programs are also offered in the summer, including tours of local trails, children's crafts and environmental demonstrations.

Something to know before you go

Massachusetts car rental customers should know that...

• Between Columbus Day and Patriots Day, the state parking lot gates are locked and parking can only be found at the Mashpee Town Beach Parking Lot.

Find some waterside serenity during your upcoming Massachusetts car rental vacation

Massachusetts car rental customers will find the South Cape Beach State Park located on the southern part of Cape Cod in southeaster Massachusetts. If you are coming from the east (Mashpee Rotary) Verc recommends following Great Neck Road south toward New Seabury. The main entrance will appear on your left, marked with a State Park sign. If you're traveling from the west you'll need to first enter the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Proceed south, out of the entrance to the Reserve's headquarters about 1.3 miles to Red Brook Road. Turn right onto Red Brook and follow it to the end, about 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Great Neck Road and continue for about 2 miles. The entrance to South Cape Beach will appear marked by a State Park sign. The official address for the South Cape Beach State Park is Great Oak Rd, Mashpee. If you would like to learn more about the park, or have any questions concerning the area, please feel free to contact a park attendant by phone at 1-508-457-0495.