Art’s Dune Tours Provincetown: A Unique Cape Cod Experience for Families

Location: Provincetown, Massachusetts

The dunes of Cape Cod have inspired writers, artists, and musicians for generations. Their raw, windswept beauty feels almost otherworldly. The best way to experience them is with Art’s Dune Tours, one of the most unique excursions in Provincetown.

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Art’s Dune Tours

Art’s Dune Tours has been operating for over 75 years and is the only company permitted by the National Park Service to drive through the protected dunes.

What began as a taxi service to remote dune shacks has evolved into one of the most sought-after experiences on Cape Cod. Because access to the dunes is highly regulated, visiting with Art’s Dune Tours is truly the only way to explore this landscape up close.

Tours run daily from mid-May through November 15 and are offered at several times throughout the day. Standard tours last about one hour, while sunset tours run for two hours and are especially popular.

What to Expect on Your Art’s Dune Tours Experience

Your Art’s Dune Tours adventure begins right in the center of Provincetown. You’ll board a comfortable, air-conditioned Suburban that accommodates up to six people, making this feel like a private tour for your family.

Along the way, your guide shares fascinating stories about Cape Cod’s history, including shipwreck rescues and the evolution of the dunes themselves.

Highlights of the tour include:

Driving over towering dunes formed by retreating glaciers
Seeing the remains of historic life-saving stations
A photo stop at the top of the dunes
Learning about the fragile dune ecosystem

The scenery is constantly shifting, with rolling sand hills that look like ocean waves frozen in time. Windswept grass and sideways-growing trees add to the surreal landscape.

The History of the Dune Shacks

One of the most fascinating parts of Art’s Dune Tours is learning about the iconic dune shacks scattered throughout the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Provincetown has always been an artistic community and people seeking inspiration began heading out to the dunes. In 1920, people began using the scraps of shipwrecks and parts of the old life-saving station to build shacks. The isolation and natural beauty of the dunes made them the perfect place to focus and create.

Tennessee Williams wrote a Street Car Named Desire from his shack and it is said that Marlon Brando walked through the dunes shouting “STELLA!” in an attempt to audition for the role.

The shacks have hosted great minds such as Henry David Thoreau, Jack Kerouac, Eugene O’Neill, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Norman Mailer, Mark Rothko, and E.E. Cummings, to name a few.

Can you stay in a dune shack?

Yes, but it is not easy.

There are still 19 dune shacks remaining, and stays are offered through a competitive application or lottery system. These are not luxury accommodations. These dune shacks are very primitive, with no electricity or running water, and only basic outhouse facilities available.

Guests are dropped off and picked up a week later, creating a truly unplugged experience that many describe as life-changing.

Art’s Dune Tours Pricing

Pricing for Art’s Dune Tours is based on the number of people in your group:

1–4 people: $140.08
5 people: $175.10
6 people: $210.12

Considering this is essentially a private guided experience, it is a great value for families or small groups.

Are Art’s Dune Tours Environmentally Friendly?

This is a common concern, and the answer is yes.

Art’s Dune Tours operates under strict National Park Service regulations. Vehicles stay on designated access roads, and the specially designed tires help protect the fragile ecosystem.

You will not see off-roading or damage to protected wildlife habitats, including areas where piping plovers nest.

Tips for Families Visiting Art’s Dune Tours

If you are visiting Art’s Dune Tours with kids, here are a few helpful tips:

Children of all ages are welcome
Bring your own car seat if needed
Dress in layers since it can be windy on the dunes
Bring a camera for the photo stop
Book in advance during peak summer months
Dogs are not allowed

This is a relaxing experience for families and a nice break from the crowds of Commercial Street.

Final Thoughts on Art’s Dune Tours

Taking a tour with Art’s Dune Tours is one of the most memorable things to do on Cape Cod. It offers a completely different perspective of Provincetown beyond the shops and restaurants.

If you are looking for a unique, educational, and family-friendly experience, Art’s Dune Tours should absolutely be on your itinerary.