Exploring the Wonders of
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge:
A Visitors Guide

Visitors Guide to the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge
24 Kimbles Beach Road
Cape May Court House, NJ

The refuge is currently at 11,000 acres and is made up of three units;
The Delaware Bay Division, the Great Cedar Swamp Division, and the Two Mile Beach Unit

The Cape May National Wildlife Refuge is not one of the largest in the National Wildlife Refuge System, but it is an important and significant refuge due to its location and the role it plays in wildlife conservation.

Located in Cape May County, New Jersey, the refuge was established to preserve key habitats for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway. It encompasses a variety of ecosystems, including forests, salt marshes, beaches, and freshwater wetlands, making it a critical stopover and breeding ground for a wide range of bird species.

The refuge supports a diverse array of wildlife beyond birds, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and plant species, some of which are threatened or endangered.

Cape May is particularly renowned for birdwatching, especially during the fall migration, and it attracts birders and nature enthusiasts from around the world.

Its location at a critical migratory crossroads and its varied habitats make it a vital part of the conservation efforts within the United States.

The Wildlife at the Refuge

The Refuge is visited by 317 bird species, 42 mammal species, 55 reptile and amphibian species, and a large variety of marine life. The Refuge is the only stop on the 6,000-mile spring migration for 80 percent of red knots and ruddy turnstones.

The Marshes and tidal creeks at the Refuge are critical nursery areas and nutrient resources for many species of fish and shellfish marine life. Seventy percent of the species of marine life in the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge are highly pursued by both recreational and commercial fishermen.

Cape May Peninsula's geography is ideally suited to act as a funnel for songbirds, raptors and woodcock as they make their way south to Cape May Point during their fall migration. With the Delaware Bay to cross, and 12 miles of water to fly over, the migrating birds rest and feed at the Refuge until the winds change to allow them to cross the Bay.

The Refuge's Benefits to People

The Refuge's protected wetlands are not only for the protection of birds, marine life, and plants, they also serve to protect people from storm surges and flood waters.
During the dry season, the Refuge's ground water supplies are discharged when communities need it the most.

The protected wetlands also provide a source of good water quality by filtering out impurities.

Activities and Things to Do

There are activities for the whole family year-round at Cape May National Wildlife Refuge including fishing, hunting, environmental education, interpretation, wildlife viewing and photography.

Environmental Education
There are numerous trails, bay shores and (seasonal) beach habitats in which students and teachers can learn about the environment.
The Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of educational programs

Interpretation
Self-guided Information about the habitat is available at refuge trail-heads and along trails using wayside exhibits. Brochures are available at the Visitor Contact Stations. Additionally, free, family-friendly nature walks on Saturdays at the Two Mile Beach Unit, from May-October, and a variety of other programs throughout the year,  are conducted by the The Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife Viewing
The Cape May Peninsula is one of the ten top birding spots in North America.
There are four walking trails that provide an excellent opportunity to view the refuge's habitats provide.. The Walking trails include :
The Songbird and Woodcock Trails (Delaware Bay Division)
The Cedar Swamp Trail (Great Cedar Swamp Division)
and The Marsh and Dune Trails (Two Mile Beach Unit) which include observation platforms and blind.
Two Mile Beach Unit during the seasonal beach closure from April 1- September 30, offers opportunities to see wintering waterfowl such as American black duck and northern pintail, wading birds such as black-crowned night-heron and snowy egret, and shorebird species such as dunlin, sanderling, and semipalmated plover.

Photography

There are excellent opportunities to capture photos of the habitat in the refuge.
The Great Cedar Swamp Division offers excellent vantage points to photograph blue-winged warblers, ovenbirds, and short-eared owls.
The Delaware Bay Division is popular for thousands of shorebirds including red knots, ruddy turnstones, and sanderlings during spring migration (end of May/beginning of June).
The Two Mile Beach Unit is populated with semipalmated plovers and American oyster catchers (spring/fall) and waterfowl such as American black ducks and northern pintails (winter). A semi-enclosed photo blind is located on the Marsh Trail as well as open air observation platforms along the Dune Trail. Seasonal beach closure is in effect April 1 to September 30.

Fishing and Hunting
From October 1 until March 31 surf fishing is permitted on the beach portion of Two Mile Beach Unit. At other times of the year, the beach portion is closed to ensure an undisturbed area for birds that require beach habitat to survive. Fishing is available year-round at the refuge beach front along the Cold Spring Inlet.

The Refuge permits hunting for deer, migratory game bird, turkey, rabbit and squirrel at specified seasons. Trapping is not permitted. However, hunting is prohibited on the Two Mile Beach Unit. Hunting regulations and information can be obtained by contacting the refuge headquarters.

Two Mile Beach Unit

Cape May Two Mile Island Beach Unit

There are activities for the whole family year-round at Cape May National Wildlife Refuge including fishing, hunting, environmental education, interpretation, wildlife viewing and photography.

Environmental Education
There are numerous trails, bay shores and (seasonal) beach habitats in which students and teachers can learn about the environment.  The Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of educational programs.

Interpretation
Self-guided Information about the habitat is available at refuge trail-heads and along trails using wayside exhibits. Brochures are available at the Visitor Contact Stations. Additionally, free, family-friendly nature walks on Saturdays at the Two Mile Beach Unit, from May-October, and a variety of other programs throughout the year,  are conducted by the The Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge.

Wildlife Viewing
The Cape May Peninsula is one of the ten top birding spots in North America.
There are four walking trails that provide an excellent opportunity to view the refuge's habitats provide.. The Walking trails include :
The Songbird and Woodcock Trails (Delaware Bay Division)
The Cedar Swamp Trail (Great Cedar Swamp Division)
and The Marsh and Dune Trails (Two Mile Beach Unit) which include observation platforms and blind.

Two Mile Beach Unit during the seasonal beach closure from April 1- September 30, offers opportunities to see wintering waterfowl such as American black duck and northern pintail, wading birds such as black-crowned night-heron and snowy egret, and shorebird species such as dunlin, sanderling, and semipalmated plover.

Photography

There are excellent opportunities to capture photos of the habitat in the refuge.
The Great Cedar Swamp Division offers excellent vantage points to photograph blue-winged warblers, ovenbirds, and short-eared owls.

The Delaware Bay Division is popular for thousands of shorebirds including red knots, ruddy turnstones, and sanderlings during spring migration (end of May/beginning of June).

The Two Mile Beach Unit is populated with semipalmated plovers and American oyster catchers (spring/fall) and waterfowl such as American black ducks and northern pintails (winter). A semi-enclosed photo blind is located on the Marsh Trail as well as open air observation platforms along the Dune Trail. Seasonal beach closure is in effect April 1 to September 30.

Fishing and Hunting
From October 1 until March 31 surf fishing is permitted on the beach portion of Two Mile Beach Unit. At other times of the year, the beach portion is closed to ensure an undisturbed area for birds that require beach habitat to survive. Fishing is available year-round at the refuge beach front along the Cold Spring Inlet.

The Refuge permits hunting for deer, migratory game bird, turkey, rabbit and squirrel at specified seasons. Trapping is not permitted. However, hunting is prohibited on the Two Mile Beach Unit. Hunting regulations and information can be obtained by contacting the refuge headquarters. .

Two Mile Island Cape May

There are two trails that provide access through the dunes and along the beach from the parking area. Take the sandy trail to the right during the winter. This trail cuts through beautiful views of dune grass and native vegetation that includes bayberry, beach plum and beach grass.
At the end of the trail, you will be rewarded with a scenic view of the beach and the Atlantic Ocean and the inlet for the Cape May Canal