From the Town of Orleans
Effective July 22, 2011 the last 1.2 miles of Nauset Spit will be closed to Off Road Vehicle travel. Approximately 1 mile will remain open to vehicle travel.
We have a pair of Piping Plovers that renested and are due to hatch on Friday July 22nd. This is the last known nest on Nauset Spit. We cannot predict the full length of the closure as tides, weather or predators can affect whether Piping Plovers survive after they hatch. Piping Plovers take 28-35 days to fledge.
A valid Orleans Resident off Road Vehicle sticker is required to drive on Nauset Spit.
The Town’s bathing Beach at Nauset Beach remains open and unaffected by the Piping Plover situation that affects the off road Vehicle trails on Nauset Spit. Pedestrians can still walk, fish, surf and swim or sunbathe in the area that is closed to vehicle traffic on Nauset Spit, providing they stay out of the symbolically fenced Piping Plover habitat. There is plenty of parking available in the 900 space parking lot at Nauset Beach. Vehicles with current 2011 ORV stickers are permitted to park in the main parking lot for free during the trail closure.
For updated information please visit www.town.orleans.ma.us