by Jeff Shaw
A hidden oasis of tranquility lies in a kettle hole incredibly close to the wild and roaring Atlantic Ocean. To find it, head to the Cape Cod National Seashore in Wellfleet and follow the signs to the [ancient] Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail (1.1 miles).
A gentle, relatively flat packed dirt trail surrounded by woods descends deeper into the seaside canopy. Just across the sandy Wireless Fire Road is a trailhead for the boardwalk loop (0.5 miles) that snakes its way through the dense, mature growth of white cedars in all types of sizes, shapes and positions. The packed vegetation – ferns, moss, red-tinted standing water – creates an eerily quiet scene despite your nearby proximity to open ocean, breaking waves and offshore gusts.
Other than a few benches to complement the boardwalk, there is nothing but wild as far as the eye can see. In fact, other than the parking area and restroom building, there is only nature as far as the eye can see. Period. The other side of the parking lot features a scenic overlook with interpretive signs and historical markers of the former and original United States Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph Station built in 1901-1902.
Nature, history, scenic views, sandy fire roads, parking and drumroll please, no admission fee.
May 20, 2026