Cape May County Park and Zoo
707 Route 9 N, Cape May Court House, NJ
Cape May Court House, NJ
A donation-based county zoo tucked into a wooded park near the shore, where boardwalks lead past lions, giraffes, and a mock African savanna without the crowds of a big-city zoo.
The Cape May County Park and Zoo sits in the wooded middle of the Cape May peninsula, an unexpectedly rich zoo set within a large county park. Boardwalks and paths wind through the trees past big cats, bears, primates, and a mock African savanna where giraffes and zebras roam a wide open field, all in a relaxed, shaded setting far quieter than a big-city zoo.
What surprises many first-time visitors is that the zoo welcomes guests on a donation basis rather than charging a set fee, a rarity for a zoo of its quality. Run by the county, it has grown over the years into one of the most popular attractions on the southern shore, a favorite escape from the beach on a hot afternoon or a rainy day.
What Guests Love
- A well-regarded zoo that welcomes visitors on a donation basis rather than charging a set fee
- Boardwalks winding through the woods past a mock African savanna with giraffes and zebras
- Big cats, bears, and a wide range of animals in a relaxed, uncrowded setting
- The surrounding county park with trails, playgrounds, and picnic groves for a full day out
Worth Knowing
- The zoo is donation-based, so a gift at the gate supports the animals and keeps it open to all
- It is a popular summer stop for shore vacationers, so mornings are cooler and calmer than midday
- The grounds are large and spread out, so wear comfortable shoes for a fair amount of walking
- Many animals are more active in the morning and cooler parts of the day, especially in summer heat
Details
Cape May Court House, NJ
Learn about Cape May County Park and Zoo
A county zoo in the pines
The Cape May peninsula was long the seasonal home of the Lenape people, whose descendants today include the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape of southern New Jersey. Cape May Court House grew up as the county seat in the interior of the peninsula, away from the shore, and the county park was set aside as public green space for its residents.
The zoo began modestly and grew steadily into a substantial collection, adding the savanna, the big-cat and bear habitats, and the boardwalks that thread the wooded grounds. Because it is a county facility supported by donations and public funds, it has stayed open to everyone, a point of local pride on the southern shore.
The animals and the savanna
The centerpiece is the African savanna, a wide open field where giraffes, zebras, and grazing animals roam within view of a raised boardwalk, giving the feel of looking out over an open plain. Elsewhere the zoo keeps lions, bears, primates, reptiles, and a wide range of birds in wooded habitats connected by shaded paths.
Because the zoo is built into a stand of coastal woodland, walking it feels more like a stroll through a forest than a tour of a city zoo. The trees keep the paths cool in summer, and native birds and squirrels move freely through the grounds alongside the resident collection.
The wider park
The zoo is only one part of a large county park that surrounds it. Beyond the animal habitats lie walking trails through the woods, ponds, open lawns, playgrounds, and picnic groves, enough to fill a full day for a family looking to spend time outdoors.
The park's location in the interior of the peninsula, off the shore, makes it a natural change of pace from the beach. Many shore vacationers make the short drive inland for a morning at the zoo and an afternoon in the park's shade before heading back to the coast.
When to visit
Summer is the busiest season, when shore vacationers pour in, so the coolest and calmest time is early in the morning, when the animals are most active and the heat has not yet built. The wooded paths stay shaded even on hot days, which makes the zoo a welcome escape from the open beach.
Spring and fall bring mild weather and thinner crowds, ideal for a relaxed visit. The zoo stays open through the cooler months as well, when some animals are livelier in the chill and the park is at its quietest, offering a peaceful walk through the pines.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Cape May Court House
Historic Cold Spring Village
About 10 miles south
An open-air living history village of restored South Jersey buildings, with costumed interpreters and old trades.
Stone Harbor and Avalon
About 8 miles east
Quiet upscale beach towns with wide beaches, a bird sanctuary, and a nature center on the back bays.
Cape May
About 15 miles south
A Victorian seaside resort at the tip of the peninsula, famous for its painted gingerbread houses and beaches.