Sunset Beach is free to visit year-round. There is on-site parking, but the lot can be crowded during the summer.

In season, Sunset Beach is home to an evening flag ceremony. Learn more on Sunset Beach Gift Shop’s website

On your way here, you’ll pass Fire Tower 23

A city park on Madison Avenue, located across from the Cape May water tower. The park has a large duck pond, gazebo, a covered picnic area, picnic benches, a half-court basketball court, playground, and green space for running around.

There’s an entrance to the park from Madison Avenue, just past the Inn at the Park. Look for a narrow asphalt road with a split-rail fence to its right. That’s Leroy’s Lane. Kiwanis Park has a small parking lot. Parking is free.

The preserve offers six trails ranging from 0.2-0.5 miles in length, and a two-mile perimeter loop along the forested edge–four miles in total. Explore year-round on foot or by bicycle. Sights vary by season, with bird migration peaking in the spring and fall, and the wildflower field blooming from May through July. Beginning in late August into the fall, Monarch butterflies stop here to feed before their journey south.

Preserve amenities include a mobile bird blind, welcome kiosk, shaded pavilion with picnic tables, benches and picnic tables along the trails, and three adjustable art easels. From November 1st to March 1st, leashed dogs are welcome. Because this is a preserve, the Nature Conservancy does not provide trash receptacles. Be sure to take anything you’ve brought with you.

Explore its nearly two miles of nature trails (experienced hikers on Alltrails.com call them easy and scenic, and be ware of overgrowth), featuring two viewing platforms with views of the fields and forest, or explore the beach along the Delaware Bay. In the warmer months, you’ll want insect repellent when hitting the trails.

Here are a few things you should know:

This information is adapted from the NJDEP site:

• All state WMAs are carry-in, carry out and do not provide trash cans or recycling bins. Make sure to take anything you bring with you.
• You may not camp, swim, picnic, dump, cut or damage vegetation, have or consume alcohol, metal detect, geocache, paddleboard, paintball, or light a fire.
• Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are prohibited
• Dogs are permitted on Higbee Beach between September 1st and April 30th (the off season)
• Higbee is closed to hunting from September 1st until the Monday after the Six-day Firearm Deer Season each year
• Non-motorized mountain bikes are allowed on existing WMA trails and secondary (woods) roads from March 1 to April 15, and from June 1 to September 15, as well as on Sundays. Mountain bikes are permitted year-round if engaged in legal hunting and fishing activities.
• Yes, you can get married on Higbee Beach!
• Certain events and activities may require a permit

Learn more about Wildlife Management Area Regulations

Directions to Higbee Beach, provided by the NJDEP:

Follow the Garden State Parkway south to mile 0 and exit to the right for Route 109 North. Take Route 109 North to Route 9 south. Turn left onto Route 626. Cross the bridge and turn right onto New England Road. The road dead ends at Higbee Beach.

Higbee has a small gravel parking lot.

One more note: Due to its remote location and historic lack of local jurisdiction, being state owned, Higbee Beach long had the reputation of being a nude beach. The state ruled on this in 1996 and conferred power to municipalities to make and enforce rules and regulations in order to police state land, which means Lower Township’s ordinance 230-6 banning indecent or nude exposure is in effect at Higbee Beach. They fine violators.

Reach the 244-acre Cape May Point State Park by bike, car, or foot if you don’t mind a hike down the beach. The park is home to iconic landmarks including the Cape May Lighthouse, Fire Control Tower 23, and Battery 223 (aka “the bunker”), the remains of a harbor defense battery from World War II.

The park is free to the public, an ideal location for birding, picnics, painting, photography, and nature walks. Explore ponds, coastal dunes, marshes, and forest habitat on one of the three hiking trails that range from 0.5 to 2 miles in length. Along the trails are occasional benches and birding blinds. Wear sturdy walking shoes if you’re headed down the Yellow or Blue trails, as parts of the trail will take you through wooded areas that may be muddy! The shortest, the Red Trail, is entirely on a raised footpath and wheelchair accessible. Download a detailed trail guide from the state’s website.

There’s no swimming on this beach due to underwater hazards, but surf fishing is permitted. Being a state park, smoking (including vaping) and alcohol are prohibited.

Gather with friends at picnic areas and shelters. Groups of 20 are asked to reserve facilities at least five days in advance. If you have a large group, you can reserve a picnic area with a shelter and restrooms for up to 60 people.

It’s okay to bring your pet along, with some restrictions. Pets must be leashed at all times. Because the beach is home to endangered birds, pets are not permitted on the beach from April 1–September 15. And at no point are pets permitted on the nature trails.

There are no park or entry fees, and the park has a large, paved parking lot available.

Combined, Cold Spring Bike Path (2.7 miles) and Middle Township Bike Path (8.9 miles) will take you from Historic Cold Spring Village all the way to the Cape May County Park and Zoo.

The southernmost part of the path runs parallel to Route 9 and Seashore Roads, through Lower Township and into Rio Grande. From there, the path grows wooded and continues up to Cape May Court House. You’ll pass residential areas, campgrounds, and wineries. The asphalt path is dog and bicycle friendly.

There is a small parking area available at the start of the trail, which begins at Sandman Boulevard just off of Route 9. If you’re starting out in Rio Grande, there is a tiny parking area at the end of Railroad Avenue (behind Walmart) that you can also reach from Route 9 via Satt Boulevard (the road near Winterwood).

Below is a Google Map showing the beginning of the Cold Spring Bike Path.

Today, Hangar #1 has been restored and transformed into an Aviation Museum that houses a number of aircraft, engines, special exhibits, and educational interactive displays. The museum invites visitors to explore aviation, New Jersey, military and WWII history through “hands-on,” fun and educational activities for the entire family! Bring the kids and travel back in time to this 92,000 square foot sampling of the 1940’s (and don’t forget your camera)!

The zoo features over 550 animals representing more than 250 different species. You can walk through it in about an hour, or take your time and make it a long day! In May 2010, the birth of two Snow Leopard cubs put Cape May County’s zoo on the map. In April 2012, the zoo saw its third consecutive year of Snow Leopard births.

Located within the zoo, the Safari Cafe offers to-go burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and snacks. Or stop by the Savanna Garden kiosk for beverages and ice cream.

How to get there: Off Rte. 9 in Cape May Court House. Take Exit 11 off the Parkway. Go through the traffic light into the zoo entrance. Parking is free.

Cape May County’s zoo is a member of the Zoological Association of America and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.