Cape May Lighthouse
Cape May Point, NJ
A 157-foot lighthouse inside Cape May Point State Park, a top spot for autumn bird and monarch butterfly migration. Sunset Beach is nearby.
Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May Point, New Jersey, stands in Cape May Point State Park at the southern tip of the state. The tower, built in 1859, is about 157 feet (48 meters) tall. Its two predecessors, from 1823 and 1847, now lie underwater because of erosion. According to Lonely Planet, the light can be seen about 25 miles (40 kilometers) out to sea.
A total of 217 steps lead to the top, 199 of them in the cast-iron spiral staircase. According to Lonely Planet you can climb the tower during the day, and from April to September also on full-moon nights (as of October 2026); exhibits at the base cover the local wildlife. The 244-acre (99-hectare) state park is considered one of the best places in North America to watch the autumn bird migration: birds gather here and wait for favorable winds to cross Delaware Bay.
There is a hawk-watching platform and three color-coded hiking trails of 0.5, 1.5 and 2.0 miles (0.8, 2.4 and 3.2 kilometers), including a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk of about half a mile (800 meters). According to the New Jersey DEP the park is open daily from dawn to dusk; the tower's visiting hours vary, so check them in advance.
- Nearest town
- Cape May Point, NJ
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 38.9331, -74.9603
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- The Depot Travel ParkCampsite2 mi from Cape May LighthouseTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Cape Island ResortCampsite4 mi from Cape May Lighthouse
- Seashore Campsites RV Park & CampgroundCampsite4 mi from Cape May LighthouseCaravans
- Sun Outdoors Cape MayMotorhome stopover5 mi from Cape May LighthouseMotorhomes
- Avalon CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Cape May LighthouseTentsCaravans
- Lighthouse Beach RV ResortMotorhome stopover23 mi from Cape May LighthouseMotorhomes
All campsites in New Jersey · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Cape May Lighthouse?
Cape May Lighthouse is in Cape May Point, NJ, at GPS 38.9331, -74.9603. It is about 3 mi from Cape May.
Can you camp near Cape May Lighthouse?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is The Depot Travel Park, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 33 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Cape May Lighthouse?
Cape May Lighthouse is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Pine Barrens and the Jersey Shore to Cape May.
What is there to see near Cape May Lighthouse?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cape May Historic District (3 mi), Cape Henlopen State Park (12 mi), Lewes Historic Area (15 mi) and Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk (16 mi).
When is the best time to visit Cape May Lighthouse?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)