National Park Service Seeks Proposals to Lease Historic Dune Shack

News Release Date: November 9, 2026
Contact:CACO Press

WELLFLEET, Mass.- The National Park Service is inviting proposals to lease the historic Armstrong Dune Shack within Cape Cod National Seashore. Located in the Peaked Hill Bars National Register Historic District in Truro, this unique property is available for a 10-year lease through the park's competitive leasing program.

The leasing opportunity is consistent with the seashore's Dune Shack Historic District Preservation and Use Plan, which guides the long-term preservation, occupancy and stewardship of these historic properties. The program supports continued use of the dune shacks while helping preserve their historic character and the surrounding landscape.

This competitive leasing opportunity is open to all interested individuals and organizations. Proposals must be submitted by Jan. 8, 2027, at 5 p.m. ET. Detailed information about the property, lease terms and conditions, and instructions for submitting proposals can be found here.

The dune shack will be leased "as-is, with all faults." The lessee is expected to occupy and maintain the property as a traditional dune shack. Subleasing is not permitted. The lessee will be responsible for the cost and completion of all repairs and replacements during the lease term, including the removal and replacement of the blackwater waster system, to meet applicable fire and life safety codes. Routine maintenance is also required.

Site Tours: Appointment-only site tours will be offered the week of December 7. To inquire about tour availability or ask questions about the leasing process, please email [email protected].

Property Details: The Armstrong Dune Shack is in a remote, shifting dune environment. The historic structure is weathered and built on pilings to accommodate changing sand conditions. There are no paved roads leading to the property; access is by four-wheel-drive vehicle along an inner sand dune route or by foot. The property has no access to commercial utilities such as electricity, municipal water or sewer.

Prospective lessees should carefully review the property's condition and the maintenance, repair and access requirements outlined in the RFP before submitting a proposal.

Evaluation Criteria: Lease proposals will be evaluated on overall merit, including:

• Compatibility of the proposed use with the preservation, protection and visitor enjoyment of Cape Cod National Seashore

• Alignment with the historic character and qualities of the property

• Financial capability to fulfill the lease terms

• Commitment to environmentally responsible practices, such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and recycling

Federal regulations require the lessee to pay at least fair market rent, determined through local market analysis and specified in the RFP. Any repair or rehabilitation work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, available at https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/secretary-standards-treatment-historic-properties.htm.

About the Peaked Hills Bars Historic District: Spanning approximately 1,960 acres within Cape Cod National Seashore outside of Provincetown and Truro, the district includes historic dune shacks and the surrounding landscape. Through the years, the shacks have served Coast Guardsmen, residents seeking solitude, and artists and writers who found inspiration in the remote coastal environment.Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the district reflects a distinctive part of Cape Cod's maritime, artistic and cultural history. The National Park Service manages these historic properties under a preservation and use plan intended to protect their historic significance while allowing for continued occupancy and stewardship.

About the National Park Service. Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America's most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov .

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