Cape May County Park and Zoo

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 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 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.

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.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Cape May County Park and Zoo, near Cape May Court House in southern New Jersey, is a wonderful and beloved free zoo set within a large county park, home to hundreds of animals from around the world. The zoo features lions, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, birds, reptiles, and many other animals in naturalistic habitats along shaded trails, all admission-free, while the surrounding park offers playgrounds, trails, and picnic areas. Its excellent animal collection, lovely setting, and free admission make it a favorite family destination on the way to or from the shore. A delightful and family-friendly free zoo, it charms visitors. With its animals and park, it offers a compelling destination in New Jersey.

Yes, the Cape May County Park and Zoo has long been known as a free zoo, welcoming visitors at no admission charge, though donations are appreciated to support the animals and facilities, and parking and the surrounding park are free as well. This generous free admission makes it an especially wonderful value for families. Because policies can change over time, confirming current details before you go is wise. Its free admission makes the Cape May County Park and Zoo a delightful and accessible destination in New Jersey.

You can see lions, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, birds, reptiles, and hundreds of other animals from around the world in naturalistic habitats along shaded trails through the zoo. The lions and giraffes, the variety of animals, the naturalistic habitats, and the pleasant shaded setting are the draws, making it a delightful and educational visit. Seeing the large and exotic animals up close is a highlight for children. With its animals, the Cape May County Park and Zoo offers a rewarding experience in New Jersey.

The mild months of spring through fall are the most pleasant for enjoying the outdoor zoo and park, with the animals active and the weather comfortable for walking the trails, while summer is popular alongside a shore visit. Because some animals are less visible in cold weather and hours can vary by season, checking current information before you go is wise. For the most pleasant weather and active animals, aim for spring through fall at the Cape May County Park and Zoo in New Jersey.

The Cape May County Park and Zoo is near Cape May Court House in southern New Jersey, within reach of the Cape May historic town and beaches to the south, the Wildwoods, the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, and the southern Jersey Shore. That makes the Cape May County Park and Zoo a delightful stop to combine with the attractions of Cape May and the southern Jersey Shore on a visit to New Jersey.