Most Frequent Searches

Please Select a Cape Resort Destination

Cape May Destinations
Eastern Long Island Destinations

Stay Dates & Guests

Concierge Magazine/ Take a Hike: A Guide to Hiking & Walking in Cape May
Map

Take a Hike: A Guide to Hiking & Walking in Cape May

Cape May may be known for its beaches, but there’s plenty more to explore beyond the shoreline. Across Cape Island, trails wind through freshwater wetlands, dunes, meadows and protected wildlife habitat, often just minutes from the center of town.

Stay on the island for a short nature walk, follow a trail system for a few miles or trade the path for a walk along the beach. When you’re ready to venture farther, more trails await throughout Cape May County, from wildlife refuges and preserves to the forests of Belleplain State Forest.

Whether you have half an hour or half a day, here are some of the best places to explore Cape May on foot.


On Cape Island

You don’t have to leave the island to find room to roam. Cape May, West Cape May and Cape May Point are home to a surprisingly varied collection of trails, with landscapes that shift from lighthouse ponds and coastal dunes to open meadows, salt marsh and woodland.

Cape May Point State Park

Start beneath the Cape May Lighthouse, then head beyond one of Cape May Point’s most recognizable landmarks into a landscape of ponds, freshwater marsh, dunes and beach.

Six blazed trails cross the park. The Duck Pond, Monarch and Plover trails form the three primary routes, while three shorter paths provide opportunities to branch off, connect trails or add a quick detour.

Link to Trail BrochureLink to Trail Map and BrochureLink to AllTrails

Cape May Point State Park

Easy Trail Loop 0.5 Miles
Beginning on the east side of the parking lot, the red-blazed Duck Pond Trail follows an accessible boardwalk to Lighthouse Pond West and East. Platforms along the water offer places to stop and look across the ponds before continuing through the park.
Easy Trail Spur 0.1 Miles
Branch from the Duck Pond Trail onto this short pink-blazed boardwalk. The trail leads toward Lighthouse Pond, with one of the park’s distinctive views of the lighthouse beyond the surrounding wetland.
Easy Trail Loop 1.2 Miles
Continue farther into the park on the yellow-blazed Monarch Trail. The partially boardwalked loop passes through several different habitats, including freshwater marsh, coastal dunes and beach.
Easy Trail Spur 0.2 Miles
The purple-blazed Raptor Trail serves as a short connection between the Monarch and Plover trails, giving walkers another way to move through the larger trail system.
Easy Trail Loop 1.5 Miles
The blue-blazed Plover Trail is the longest of the park’s three main routes, looping through the ponds and beach dunes. It also brings walkers toward neighboring South Cape May Meadows, where it’s possible to continue exploring rather than turn back.
Easy Trail Spur 0.2 Miles
Take this short orange-blazed spur from the Plover Trail toward Cattail Pond. Conditions can change here, and the trail may occasionally be muddy or flooded.
A Wooden Bridge In A Forest
A Wooden Bridge In A Forest
A Lighthouse In A Field
A Couple Of Swans In A Pond
A Lighthouse In A Field
A Couple Of Swans In A Pond
A Walkway With Trees On The Side
A Walkway With Trees On The Side
A Long Straight Road With Trees On Either Side Of It
A Long Straight Road With Trees On Either Side Of It
A Man And Woman Walking On A Path Through A Field Of Plants
A Man And Woman Walking On A Path Through A Field Of Plants
A Path With Plants And A Lighthouse
A Path With Plants And A Lighthouse

South Cape May Meadows Preserve

Just beyond Cape May Point State Park, the landscape opens up at South Cape May Meadows. Freshwater wetlands, ponds, fields and dunes stretch toward protected beachfront, with the Cape May Lighthouse still visible beyond the preserve.

There are more than two miles of trails to explore. An approximately one-mile loop offers a straightforward way to see the Meadows, while additional paths can extend the walk or carry you directly into Cape May Point State Park.

Link to Trail Map and BrochureLink to AllTrails

South Cape May Meadows Preserve

Easy Main Loop 0.4 Miles
One of the preserve’s primary routes, the Main Trail follows compact crushed stone through the Meadows and toward the dunes.
Easy Main Loop 0.49 Miles
The East Trail travels through the eastern side of the preserve, with views across the freshwater wetlands along the way.
Easy Main Loop 0.15 Miles
This short connector joins the Main and East trails, allowing the two to be combined into an approximately one-mile loop through the preserve.
Easy Trail Spur 0.6 Miles
The Boardwalk Trail travels through a portion of the preserve that was previously less accessible. The wide, flat route includes pullout areas with benches along the way and is designed to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. 
Easy Trail Spur 0.3 Miles (One Way)
Extend the eastern side of the trail network along this sand-and-grass spur before returning to the main trails.
Easy Connector Trail 0.2 Miles
Not ready to turn around? The State Park Connection Trail links the Meadows with the trail system at Cape May Point State Park, making it possible to explore both areas in one outing. 
A Path With Plants And Trees On The Side
A Group Of Yellow Flowers A River With Trees And Bushes
A Path With Plants And Trees On The Side
A Group Of Yellow Flowers
A River With Trees And Bushes
A Body Of Water With Trees In The Background
A Cup Of Liquid A Dirt Road In A Forest
A Body Of Water With Trees In The Background
A Cup Of Liquid
A Dirt Road In A Forest
A Path With Trees On The Side
A Path With Trees On The Side
A Bridge Over A Field
A Bridge Over A Field
A Sign In A Garden
A Sign In A Garden
A Sign In A Field
A Sign In A Field

Garrett Family Preserve at Cape Island Creek

Garrett Family Preserve is less about choosing one route and more about seeing where the paths take you. Trails weave across open meadows, fields and tree lines before reaching the salt marshes of Cape Island Creek.

More than four miles of sturdy nature trails cross the 180-acre preserve, giving you plenty of room to piece together a walk of your own. Benches and picnic tables throughout the property also offer places to stop along the way.

Link to Trail Map and BrochureLink to AllTrails 

Easy Main Loop 1.4 Miles

Circle much of the property on the longest individual trail in the preserve. Along the way, the Perimeter Trail meets several of the shorter interior paths, making it a natural starting point for exploring more of the trail system.

Easy Connector Trail 0.4 Miles

Use the Loop Connector to move between different sections of the preserve or create a shorter route through the property.

Easy Connector Trail 0.3 Miles

A short interior path that can be worked into a longer route through the preserve.

Easy Connector Trail 0.2 Miles

At just 0.2 miles, Poet’s Trail is one of the preserve’s shortest paths and can easily be added to a larger walk.

Easy Connector Trail 0.3 Miles

Another short route through the preserve, connecting with the surrounding trail network.

Easy Connector Trail 0.3 Miles
The Butterfly Trail passes through a landscape where native plants and wildflowers provide habitat for butterflies and other pollinators.
Easy Connector Trail 0.4 Miles

Follow the transition between two of the preserve’s defining landscapes on this route connecting marsh and meadow habitat.



A Train With Graffiti On It
A Train With Graffiti On It
A Field Of Flowers
A Field Of Flowers
A Sign In A Field
A Sign In A Field
A Sign With A Map
A Sign With A Map
A Ladder In A Field
A Ladder In A Field
A Field Of Plants And Trees
A Field Of Plants And Trees
A Path Through A Forest
A Path Through A Forest
Cape May

Cape May Nature Trail at Lafayette Street Park

Easy Main Loop 1.5 Miles

Not every nature walk needs to become a whole-afternoon excursion.

The Cape May Nature Trail at Lafayette Street Park follows an approximately half-mile loop close to the center of town. Give yourself around 30 minutes for a walk through the park, making this one particularly easy to work into a day already spent around Cape May.

There isn’t an official trail map yet, so there’s little need to overplan this one—just follow the loop and enjoy a quieter pocket of town.

Link to Trail Info at CapeMay.com

Link to SouthJerseyTrails with GPS Track

A Bridge With A Metal Railing
West Cape May

Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area

Easy to Moderate Main Loop 2.2 Miles

For a longer walk in a more natural setting, head toward Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area on the western side of Cape Island.

A popular loop through the area covers approximately 2.2 miles, with an estimated walking time of about 30 minutes to one hour. The route moves through a mix of woodland, marsh and shoreline habitat, offering a different experience from the more structured trails around Cape May Point.

Link to Trail Map

Link to AllTrails

A Sign In The Woods

Scenic Walks Around Cape May

Not every good walk requires a trail map. Around Cape May, the shoreline can become the route, a favorite destination can give you a reason to keep going, and a landmark climb can add a few extra steps along the way.

Cape May

Cape May Promenade

Easy One Way 1.45 Miles

Follow the Promenade along Beach Avenue with Cape May’s beaches beside you. Walk the full length and return for just under three miles, or simply turn around whenever you’ve had enough.

A Row Of Benches On A Dock
Cape May to Cape May Point

Cove Beach to Cape May Lighthouse

One Way 4 Miles

Trade the Promenade for the sand and follow the shoreline from The Cove toward Cape May Point. With the Cape May Lighthouse as your destination, the busy beachfront gradually gives way to the coastal landscape surrounding the Point.

Seasonal wildlife protections may affect portions of the beach, particularly around South Cape May Meadows, so follow posted signs and nesting-area closures as you go.



A City On The Water
West Cape May

Sunset Beach to Higbee Beach

One Way 1.5 Miles

Follow the Delaware Bay shoreline from Sunset Beach toward Higbee Beach for a shorter walk on the island’s western side.

As restoration work continues around portions of Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area, check current access before choosing this route. 

While seldom seen, if you're supremely lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Cape May's "Ghost Tracks."

A Beach With A Body Of Water And A Land With A Body Of Water
Cape May to West Cape May

Congress Hall to Beach Plum Farm

One Way 2.2 Miles

Sometimes the destination is the best part of the walk. This route is one of the best ways to experience the shift between Cape May’s seaside streets and the farmland just beyond them—and there’s something waiting for you when you get there.



A Landscape With Trees And A Body Of Water In The Background
Cape May Point State Park

Cape May Lighthouse Climb

199 Steps 10-15 Minutes

If you’re already exploring the trails at Cape May Point State Park, head up before you leave. The Cape May Lighthouse climb covers 199 steps to the top, with views across the Point and surrounding coastal landscape. 



A Man And Woman Standing In A Doorway
Sunset Boulevard

World War II Lookout Tower

50 Steps 5-10 Minutes

Pair a walk along the western side of Cape Island with a short climb inside the World War II Lookout Tower near Sunset Beach.

A Staircase With Colorful Walls

Beyond Cape Island

There’s enough to explore on Cape Island to keep your walking shoes busy for days. Venture beyond it, though, and the setting begins to change. The protected coastline continues, but there are also larger wildlife areas, wooded preserves, swamp forest and, farther north, miles of trails through Belleplain State Forest.

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

Easy to Moderate A Diverse Collection of Trails Across Multiple Locations Total of 4 Miles

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge isn’t a single park with one trailhead. Its trails are spread across the Delaware Bay Division, Great Cedar Swamp Division and Two Mile Beach Unit, each showcasing a different piece of the Cape May County peninsula.

That means this is one destination where it helps to decide what you want to see before getting in the car.

Link to AllTrails Link to Official Trail Site

Wildwood

Our Pick: Two Mile Beach Unit Trails

This division of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge is situated not far from Cape May. Made up of four short trails totaling just under a mile, this network of trails traverses marshland, dunes, and beaches. 

The Central Dune Trail travels through dunes to reach an observation tower with sweeping views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean.

The Marsh Boardwalk Trail leads toward an observation platform overlooking the salt marsh, providing a short route with a clear destination.

The Northern Dune Trail is one of the longer paths within the Two Mile Beach trail network traversing along the dunes onto the beach. 

The Southern Dune Trail is a shorter option through the unit’s protected coastal landscape.

A Sign With A Mountain In The Background
A Blue Parking Meter
Diagram

Cox Hall Creek Wildlife Management Area

Easy to Moderate A Collection of Loops, Trail Spurs, and Connector Trails Total of 4 Miles

Once part of a golf course, Cox Hall Creek Wildlife Management Area is now 322 acres of protected coastal habitat in Lower Township. Its color-coded trails travel through the property, with connector paths making it possible to combine several routes during one visit.

Link to Trail MapLink to AllTrails

Lower Township

Our Pick: Cox Hall Creek Outer Loop

The Cox Hall Creek Outher Loop traverses through open meadows, wooded edges and around the property’s ponds. Much of the route follows the former golf-course paths, giving it a wide, mostly paved surface that also makes it popular with cyclists and families with strollers.

The outer loop is a good way to take in the preserve as a whole without needing to piece together several of the shorter interior trails. During warmer months, bug spray may be worth bringing if you plan to linger near the water or stay out later in the day.

A Group Of Trees With Colorful Leaves

Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve

Easy to Moderate One Main Loop and Connector Trail Total of 3 Miles

Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve contains about three miles of foot trails through fields, forest and wetland habitat, with two primary routes providing a straightforward choice of distance. 

Link to Trail MapLink to AllTrails
Middle Township

Our Pick: Yellow Trail

The Yellow Trail is the main loop through the preserve. Enjoy amenities throughout the trail such as an information kiosk, picnic tables, benches, and footbridges. 

Should you want to continue, The Blue Trail covers another mile or so through the preserve. You can start this connector at the trailhead or turn off where it intersects with the Yellow Trail further into the preserve.

A Sign On A Road
A Large Alligator On A Rocky Surface

Belleplain State Forest

Moderate to Challenging A Collection of Loops, Trail Spurs, and Connector Trails Total of 47 Miles

Farther from the shoreline, Belleplain State Forest offers a different scale for those eager to explore further.

The forest has 24 official trails. Twelve, covering approximately 24 miles, are designated for nonmotorized use, while another 12 cover approximately 23 miles and permit road-legal motor vehicles. Rather than try to fit the entire network into one visit, we encourage you to choose a route that works for the time you have and use the full forest map to explore the rest.

For a longer day on foot, these trails cover considerably more ground than the walks closer to Cape May.

Link to Trail Map and Brochure Link to AllTrails

Belleplain State Forest

Our Pick: East Creek Trail

The white-blazed East Creek Trail begins at the Lake Nummy Day Use Area and loops through the forest toward East Creek Pond. The trail ranges from roughly two to four feet wide and follows a natural surface of sand, dirt and pine needles. At nearly seven miles, it is the longest hiking trail in Belleplain State Forest. 

Give this trails more time to explore. Bring water, look over the trail map before starting and let the forest—not the next stop on the itinerary—set the pace.

A Body Of Water Surrounded By Trees

See Cape May One Step at a Time

There isn’t one way to explore Cape May on foot.

A morning might mean half a mile near downtown or a stroll along the promenade. Another day might take you from South Cape May Meadows into the State Park, across several intersecting paths at Garrett Family Preserve or along the sand with the lighthouse in the distance.

When you’re ready to go beyond Cape Island, there’s even more ground to cover—from the varied habitats of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge to miles beneath the trees at Belleplain State Forest.

All that’s left is deciding where to start.

Cape May Wellness Activities

Related Stories

A Butterfly On A Flower
Cape May Beach Plum Farm Agriculture Gardening Activities

A September State of Mind

On a farm, September is when things really begin.
Read More
A Person Sitting On A Blue Car
Cape May Itinerary

Cape May Travel Guide with Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pilitzer escaped to Cape May, New Jersey for a few sun-filled days to kick off summer with Cape Resorts—and we’re sharing our must-see, must-do spots.
Read More
A Bicycle Parked In A Garden
Cape May Activities

Cape May on Two Wheels

There's no better way to discover Cape May than on two wheels. Explore our guide to cycling the island.
Read More
A Boat On The Water
Pridwin Activities Itinerary

Shelter Island, New York Family Travel Guide

A shelter island classic overlooking crescent beach, the pridwin is ideal for family summer vacations.
Read More
A Beach With People And Umbrellas
Cape May Cape Resorts Food & Drink Itinerary

Know Before You Go: A Cape Resorts Guide

Consider this a campus guide to navigating the full ecosystem: which property suits your travel style, where to eat, what to book ahead, and what is worth building your trip around.
Read More
A Crowd Of People At A Beach
Cape May Cape Resorts Food & Drink Itinerary

The Ultimate Food Lover’s Weekend at Cape Resorts

The Ultimate Food Lover’s Weekend at Cape Resorts
Read More
A Group Of Flowers In Front Of A Store
Cape May Beach Plum Farm Agriculture

Inside the Harvest Dinner Series at Beach Plum Farm

At Beach Plum Farm, what's on the menu is a direct reflection of what's fresh from the fields.
Read More
A Group Of People Walking On A Street Next To A Building
Cape May History

Porches on the Move

How two unlikely allies helped save Cape May's past and future.
Read More
A Tractor Pulling A Trailer With People In It
Cape May Cape Resorts Activities

Autumn Discovery

Our excitement builds as we head into the vibrant autumn season. This year, we've curated a lineup of unforgettable experiences: cozy Fall Sunday Suppers at The Pridwin...
Read More
View All Stories