Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown
Provincetown, MA
A granite tower rising above the fishing town at the tip of Cape Cod, with a climb up ramps and stairs to a view over the dunes and bay. After the climb, walk down to Commercial Street for the shops and harbor.
The Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, at 252 feet (about 77 m), is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States. It commemorates the Pilgrims' landing in November 1620, which took place at Provincetown, weeks before Plymouth. President Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone in 1907, and President Taft dedicated the tower in 1910. It was modeled on the Torre del Mangia in Siena, Italy. The $90,000 construction cost was covered 40 percent each by the federal and state governments, with donations making up the rest.
You climb to the viewing level via 116 steps and 60 ramps; allow about one to two hours for the tower and museum. On a clear day the view takes in the town, the dunes and the bay. Come in the morning if you can, or outside peak season, when it is less busy.
- Nearest town
- Provincetown, MA
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 42.0536, -70.1873
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
© This image or media was taken or created by Matt H. Wade. To see his entire portfolio, click here. @thatmattwade This i… · CC BY-SA 3.0Cape Cod National Seashore
© Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada · CC BY 2.0Plymouth Rock
© Byron A. Nash from USA · CC BY 2.0Marblehead Old Town
© yeowatzup · CC BY 2.0Motif No. 1
Campsites nearby
- Dunes Edge CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Pilgrim Monument, ProvincetownTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Coastal Acres Camping CourtCampsite1 mi from Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown
- North Truro CampgroundMotorhome stopover6 mi from Pilgrim Monument, ProvincetownMotorhomes
- Wellfleet Hollow State CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Pilgrim Monument, ProvincetownTentsElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsNo dogs
- Maurice’s CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Pilgrim Monument, ProvincetownTentsCaravans
- Atlantic Oaks CampgroundMotorhome stopover18 mi from Pilgrim Monument, ProvincetownMotorhomes
All campsites in Massachusetts · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown?
Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown is in Provincetown, MA, at GPS 42.0536, -70.1873. It is about 26 mi from Plymouth.
Can you camp near Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Dunes Edge Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 20 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cape Cod National Seashore (14 mi), Plymouth Rock (25 mi), Marblehead Old Town (46 mi) and Motif No. 1 (47 mi).
When is the best time to visit Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)