Doane Rock in Eastham: Cape Cod's Largest Boulder

Doane Rock is the largest exposed boulder on Cape Cod. It can be found between the Salt Pond Visitor Center and Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, Massachusetts. The rock has its own dedicated parking lot and park that are managed by the National Park Service. It measures some 18 feet tall (with an estimated 12 more feet underground) and 45 feet long.

How did Doane Rock get here?

The landscapes of Cape Cod are very unique. Much of the Cape is actually just a pile of glacial leftovers, known as glacial till, consisting of sand, clay, and small stones. Boulders can be found around the Cape, but very few large ones. Doane Rock is estimated to have been left behind by a glacier at the end of the last Ice Age. When the Laurentide Ice Sheet melted 12,000 to 18,000 years ago, this boulder was left here in Eastham. 

How did Doane Rock get its name?

Doane Rock has had many names over the years and is still called a number of them nowadays. The boulder was named after Deacon John Doane who was one of Eastham’s original settlers. Doane was a politician in English Colonial North America who was born in 1590 and arrived to North America around 1630. He resided in the area of Nauset and went on to help incorporate the town of Eastham. His homestead was just a short distance away from Doane Rock.

Doane Rock has a few other popular nicknames. One of the most used names for the boulder is Great Rock which is pretty self-explanatory due to its great size. The boulder also is sometimes referred to as Enochs or Enos rock. This nickname is a little more obscure. It is derived from John Doane’s son’s name.

Exploring Doane Rock (Parking, Amenities, etc.)

Exploring Doane Rock is very easy thanks to the parking lot that is located just steps away. Visitors can park in the lot along Doane Road and then walk right up to the rock. It is important to note that Doane Rock is a rather popular spot in Eastham during the summer months. The parking lot is typically pretty full, but fortunately there are other nearby lots. If you are not able to park at Doane Rock, consider parking at the nearby Cape Cod National Seashore Salt Pond Visitor Center. This visitors center is just off Route 6 and it has hundreds of parking spaces. To reach Doane Rock, follow the Nauset Bicycle Trail or the Salt Marsh Trail and take a detour on the Doane Loop. 

The rock itself is completely open to explorers. Many visitors have been known to climb the rock, although this can be dangerous without property balance and footwear. Around the rock, there are informational stands detailing the history of the rock and how it came to end up here. 

Conclusion

Doane Rock is well worth checking out while exploring Cape Cod, specifically the National Seashore. It is be to combine a visit of the rock with a stop at Salt Pond Visitor Center and Coast Guard Beach, all of which are connected by a trail system. Doane Rock is truly something to marvel at and unlike anything else on Cape Cod!