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Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

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Cape May National Wildlife Refuge Overview

The refuge is located on the Cape May peninsula in Middle, Dennis and Upper Townships. The peninsula has the second largest concentration of shorebirds in the United States; 80 percent of the hemisphere's red knots and ruddy turnstones make their only stop here on their 6,000-mile spring migration. The area also provides wintering habitat for a high percentage of the Atlantic Flyway's black duck population and feeding and resting habitat for migratory raptors and woodcock. Several plant species under consideration for Federal listing as endangered or threatened occur here. When acquisition is complete, the refuge habitat will include estuarine salt meadow and marsh interspersed with tidal creeks and ponds, freshwater swamp and open water areas, and upland fields and forest. Linking the refuge's two units with a State-owned wildlife management area will provide long-term protection to a vital greenbelt corridor from Delaware Bay to Greater Egg Harbor.

Visitor Opportunities
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge is one of the newest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It was established in January 1989.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy wildlife-dependent activities on the refuge. The refuge headquarters is located at 24 Kimbles Beach Road in Cape May Courthouse, and is open weekdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Since the refuge is new, there are few public use facilities in place. Existing foot trails through the refuge's varied habitats provide excellent opportunities for bird watching, photography, and environmental education. The Cape May Peninsula has been described as one of the ten top birding spots in North America.

The refuge's Woodcock Trail, at the end of Woodcock Lane off Route 47 in Middle Township, is currently being upgraded for public use. It is a five-minute drive from refuge headquarters. Woodcock Trail is a one-mile mowed foot path through fields along forest edge. Two woodland spur trails also occur off the mowed path.

Its diversity of habitats and wildlife make the refuge an ideal site for environmental education.

Deer and migratory game bird hunting are allowed in designated areas of the refuge, under State and Federal regulations. Hunters are urged to contact refuge headquarters for additional information, regulations and maps.

Future plans for expansion of public use on the refuge include opening additional foot trails, developing a universally accessible foot trail at the headquarters area, and designating refuge fishing areas.

The refuge is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Directions and Additional Information
 From the Garden State Parkway, take exit 10 west. At Highway 9, turn south (left). At Hand Avenue turn west (right). At Highway 47 turn south (left). At Kimbles Beach Road turn west (right). The Refuge office is ahead on the north (right) side of the road.

If you need additional information, please contact the field station directly.

Cape May NWR
24 Kimbles Beach Road
Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08210-4207
Phone: (609) 463-0994
Fax: (609) 463-1667

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