South Cape May Meadows

South Cape May Meadows At A Glance...

An 80-foot floating bird blind on the East Trail, stocked with birding field guides.
A full mile of undeveloped, protected beach, a rarity on the Jersey Shore.
The half-mile accessible boardwalk, opened in 2024, has braille and tactile signs.
Monarch butterflies stream through every fall on their way south.
Todays Sunrise: , Sunset:
New Jersey Southern Shore Region Cape May County

About South Cape May Meadows

South Cape May Meadows is a 200-acre Nature Conservancy preserve on Sunset Boulevard, near Bayshore Road on the way to Cape May Point. It is known locally as the Cape May Meadows, no doubt dating back to the time when cattle grazed here, and was once listed as the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. It sits at a critical point on the Atlantic Flyway and is a birding spot known around the world.

Flat trails, more than two miles in all, loop through meadows and freshwater wetlands with the Cape May lighthouse as a backdrop, then cross the dunes to a full mile of undeveloped, protected beach, right along the Atlantic Ocean and a rarity on the Jersey Shore. A half-mile accessible boardwalk with handrails, benches and braille signs opened in 2024, and the East Trail has an 80-foot floating bird blind and an observation tower. The State Park Connection Trail links the preserve's trails to Cape May Point State Park next door.

Endangered piping plovers nest on the refuge beach in spring, along with least terns and American oystercatchers. Migrating and resident shorebirds, waterfowl, rails and terns, herons and egrets all feed here, and river otters and muskrats swim in the wetland.

Activities:
- Walking
Amenities:
- Restrooms/Bathrooms
- Beach
- Parking Lot(s)
- Picnic / Sitting Area
- Benches
- Picnic tables
Trails:
- Boardwalks
- Flat / Easy
- Sandy
- Walking Paths
Park Type:
- Preserve
- Scenic Areas (overlooks/waterfalls)
Rules/Regulations:
- Biking Not Permitted
- Fishing Not Permitted
- Dogs Not Permitted
- Swimming Not Permitted

Contact / Location

Primary Address:

Get Directions Sunset Boulevard,
West Cape May, New Jersey 08204

Contact:

Best Time of Year to Visit

Every season brings something. Mid-May to mid-June is peak spring migration for shorebirds and songbirds, and May through July is the best time to see least terns, oystercatchers, piping plovers and black skimmers on the beach. Swamp rose mallow blooms through the wetlands in July and August.

Fall migration runs from late August through October, when southbound songbirds, raptors and monarch butterflies pass through. The second week of October is peak raptor migration, and early September can bring huge swirling flocks of tree swallows. In winter, watch for northern harriers hunting over the marsh and ducks like northern pintail, green-winged teal and shoveler.

Admission & Guidelines

Dogs and other pets are not allowed, and neither are swimming, fishing or drones. Trails are for foot traffic only, so stay on the marked trails and carry out your trash. From March 15 to August 31 the beach is for nature viewing only: keep moving and stay outside the roped-off nesting area.

Hours / Season of Operation

Open year round during daylight hours. Staff are on site, and an accessible portable toilet is available, from April to October.

Parking

The gravel lot off Sunset Boulevard holds 37 cars, with three accessible spaces on the paved end closest to the entrance. By the welcome shed there is a bike rack, a water refill station, benches and an accessible picnic area.

Nearby Places

Looking for more?

Around the Web

Quick Links: