Cape May Point State Park is an excellent place to take the kids if you ever want to go out to get some fresh air and exploring in South Jersey.
We visited this New Jersey State Park for the first time in September 2019. We were continuing our mission of visiting all the New Jersey State Parks and starting with all the ones in South Jersey. It was a beautiful park and larger than I could have imagined. From the entrance it doesn’t look very big. Once you start exploring the grounds, you see just how much the state park has to offer.
We visited again recently. When the Governor lifted some of his restrictions, so that New Jersey State Parks could open again, this was one of the first we visited. It’s proximity to us and shorter trails made it one that I know we could do easily and still visit within the confines of the restrictions at the time.
Read on to learn what makes Cape May Point State Park special and why you should visit with your own kids.
Consider this your Guide to Visiting Cape May Point State Park State Park
This drone coverage does a good job of giving you an overhead view of the park. It doesn’t show the trails or the nature center. You can also watch our video below.
Visiting NJ State Parks with kids? You need the New Jersey State Parks and Forests travel journal to help you document your family’s best memories!
Get to know Cape May Point State Park
Cape May Point State Park is a 244 acres state park located in Cape May Point, New Jersey. If you need a day trip that offers a lot to do while also not being overwhelming, this is a South Jersey state park you must visit.
What’s the address for Cape May Point State Park?
We used this address in our gps: 215 Light House Avenue in Cape May Point, New Jersey. The Cape May Point State Park is pretty easy to get to and hard to miss. There is signage out front that lets you know you’ve reached the entrance of the state park. Plus you have the advantage of being able to see the lighthouse from almost anywhere in Cape May.
When is the Cape May Point State Park open?
This New Jersey state park is open daily from 7 am to 8 pm.
How much does it cost to enter?
Admission to the Cape May Point State Park is free. There is a fee if you wish to climb the Cape May Point Lighthouse.
Where can I park?
Cape May Point State Park has a large parking lot. Since restrictions were in place limiting capacity we have yet to see it be filled.
Does Cape May Point State Park get crowded?
I would say this state park can get busy but it doesn’t seem to get crowded. How can that be? With all there is to do and the size of the state park there is lots of room for visitors. Some may be on the beach. Some may be hiking. Some may be climbing the lighthouse and others maybe hiking on the trails. On our hikes we crossed paths with others several times but the trail never seemed to crowded that we could not enjoy it.
Are there restrooms?
There are restrooms at the visitor center end of the parking lot. The restrooms offer individual stalls with traditional sinks and paper towels.
Can I camp at Cape May Point State Park?
There is no camping available.
What is there to do at Cape May Point State Park?
Cape May Point State Park offers hiking, fishing, birding, nature programs, and a nature center. You can visit a WWII bunker on the beach. The building is closed but you can walk around the perimeter. You can climb the Cape May Point Lighthouse (when it’s open) for an additional fee.
WWII Bunker
The WWII bunker was built as part of the Harbor Defense Project of 1942. At low tide you can still see the gun turrets at the front of the bunker. We saw them on our first visit, but unfortunately not our second. The Bunker was once 900 feet inland. It is hard to believe it was once surrounded by earth and covered by sod. In the past, it looked as if it were a hill from the sea or air. To see another example of a bunker, that’s still in a grass hill, visit Fort Mott State Park.
Birding
The tip of Cape May is one of the most popular sites in North America for viewing the fall bird migration. It’s even featured as part of the aviary show at the Philadelphia Zoo. Many species of birds can be seen in the natural areas throughout the year.
Learn more about this New Jersey state park at their Visitor Center
The Cape May Point State Park offers a visitor center and a nature museum. I was really impressed with both buildings. There were live animals in display tanks, educational exhibits, and interactive displays. Call ahead (609) 884-2159 to see if they are open and if they are it’s definitely worth checking out these two buildings.
Enjoy these Cape May Point State Park Events for Kids
The park staff offer a variety of historical and natural interpretive programs throughout the year. Currently all are cancelled. Contact the park office for a schedule of programs and to register. Program fees may apply.
Are there playgrounds at the Cape May Point State Park?
There are no playgrounds available.
Can you swim at Cape May Point State Park?
The beaches are peaceful and beautiful, but they are not staffed with lifeguards. Swimming is not allowed.
Is there a place to kayak or go canoeing?
While the state park does have a significant-sized beach, kayaking or canoeing is not permitted.
Does Cape May Point State Park have hiking Trails?
There are 3 hiking trails at Cape May Point State Park: red – Duck Pond Trail, yellow – Monarch Trail, and blue – Plover Trail. All are considered easy. Learn more here or see the trail map here.
- Duck Pond Trail – .5 mile – The easiest of all the trails. This trail has a boardwalk surface throughout the trail. The trailhead is at the east side of parking lot. Duck Pond Trail is wheelchair accessible and offers visitors access to the Lighthouse Pond West and East. Each pond has a platform at the water’s edge to view wading birds, ducks and muskrats, as well as the occasional osprey or river otter. A portion overlaps the other two trails. It is accessible from the other trails.
- Monarch Trail – 1.2 mile – The yellow, Monarch Trail is much of the same route at the Plover Trail but with a turnoff with a shortcut.
- Plover Trail – 1.5 mile – The trail map says to start on the Duck Pond Trail, go right at the first fork and then take Monarch Trail at the second fork. We disagree. We recommended starting at the beach end of the trail. The trail is partially boardwalk. We’ve found we’d much rather walk the harder sand portion of the trail and end on the easy boardwalk terrain than the other way around. Plover Trail offers a longer hike along the beach and coastal dune. Both Plover and Monarch Trails allow hikers the opportunity to view shorebirds, as well as view other wildlife along the shore. Plover Trail was named for the endangered piping plovers that occasionally nest on the beach. Least terns and oystercatchers may also nest here. During the fall and winter, hikers may exit behind the sand dunes while watching waterfowl in Shallow Pond or return on the beach and view the World War II Gun Battery. The end/beginning (depending on your route) of Plover Trail is closed in the spring and summer for beach nesting birds.
The terrain on the trails includes beach sand, regular dirt, or boardwalk. They are not hard to navigate at all. There are trail signs but also very little turn offs. I feel it would be hard to get lost on these trails.
Can I ride a bike on the trails?
Bike riding is not permitted on the trails.
Are there winter activities available?
Other than their regular activities, there do not seem to be any special winter activities offered.
More important information about visiting Cape May Point State Park
- There are picnic tables and pavilions available for guests.
- Grills for barbecuing are not available for guest use.
- There are not concession stands to sell food. There are some vending machines. We have occasionally seen food trucks.
Stop by the park office to pick up a New Jersey State Parks Pass. For $50 the pass covers parking/admission to all NJ State Parks for the year. You can buy yours at the park office or click over to buy yours online from the NJDEP.
For more information about Cape May Point State Park State Park please visit the NJ Division of Parks & Forestry website. Click over to read more about our experiences at New Jersey State Parks or see our listing of NJ State Parks.
For more things to do in Cape May with kids, read 10 Things to do in Cape May with Kids.
Where oh where should we go next?