The Occupy Chatham Beach Shack in Chatham, Massachusetts is an easy 0.8-mile out-and-back beach hike that leads to a dune-side beach shack.
Hike Description
This is less of a hike and more of a beach walk, but is a fun and interesting out-and-back walk to take if visiting Chatham. Hikers begins at the large parking lot for the Chatham Lighthouse, at the coordinates provided, and heads down the staircase at the southern end of the lot. From the staircase, hikers will head southeast toward the beach. Once on the beach, hike due-south until you reach the shack. On the way to the shack you might find dead jellyfish washed ashore or the local seagull flying overhead while the waves from the ocean crash ashore - making for a scenic beach walk.
Occupy Chatham Shack - Mile 0.35
Around mile 0.35, hikers will find the Occupy Chatham Shack sitting on the dunes. Walk up the short access trail to reach the shack, assuming no one is currently occupying it for the day, to check it out. There's a funky mailbox and an odd lack of walls to the shack. If you plan to setup for the day here, you might want to bring tarps or something to block the sun due to the lack of shack walls. The shack has an official sign on its front stating: "The Occupy Chatham South Beach Shack. Est. 2015. Chatham Historical Commission".
On the hike back, be sure to look up from your feet to find the Chatham Lighthouse on the hill in the distance. On a foggy or rainy day (obviously at night), the Chatham Lighthouse can be found spinning its beacon.
Parking
Hikers will find a large parking lot at the coordinates provided for the Chatham Lighthouse. The lot is large enough to fit a couple dozen vehicles.
Pets
Dogs are allowed only if leashed and must be cleaned up after.
Warning
Great White Sharks: If swimming in the ocean here, be on the lookout for Great White Sharks as they're known to hunt for seals in shallow water here. People have been both seriously injured and killed by sharks along this coastline.
Hike Description
This is less of a hike and more of a beach walk, but is a fun and interesting out-and-back walk to take if visiting Chatham. Hikers begins at the large parking lot for the Chatham Lighthouse, at the coordinates provided, and heads down the staircase at the southern end of the lot. From the staircase, hikers will head southeast toward the beach. Once on the beach, hike due-south until you reach the shack. On the way to the shack you might find dead jellyfish washed ashore or the local seagull flying overhead while the waves from the ocean crash ashore - making for a scenic beach walk.
Occupy Chatham Shack - Mile 0.35
Around mile 0.35, hikers will find the Occupy Chatham Shack sitting on the dunes. Walk up the short access trail to reach the shack, assuming no one is currently occupying it for the day, to check it out. There's a funky mailbox and an odd lack of walls to the shack. If you plan to setup for the day here, you might want to bring tarps or something to block the sun due to the lack of shack walls. The shack has an official sign on its front stating: "The Occupy Chatham South Beach Shack. Est. 2015. Chatham Historical Commission".
On the hike back, be sure to look up from your feet to find the Chatham Lighthouse on the hill in the distance. On a foggy or rainy day (obviously at night), the Chatham Lighthouse can be found spinning its beacon.
Parking
Hikers will find a large parking lot at the coordinates provided for the Chatham Lighthouse. The lot is large enough to fit a couple dozen vehicles.
Pets
Dogs are allowed only if leashed and must be cleaned up after.
Warning
Great White Sharks: If swimming in the ocean here, be on the lookout for Great White Sharks as they're known to hunt for seals in shallow water here. People have been both seriously injured and killed by sharks along this coastline.
