Cape May Lighthouse rises from Cape May Point State Park at the southern tip of New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic. Built in 1859, the tower is opened to the public by the nonprofit Cape May MAC, which leads climbers up 199 steps of the original cast-iron spiral stair. Surrounded by a state park of trails and birding ponds, it's a rewarding stop on a Jersey Cape RV trip.
Best season — Spring and fall (bird migration; mild weather)
At a glance
The facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded facts for planning your visit — always worth confirming against current conditions before you travel.
State
New Jersey (Cape May Point)
Built
1859
Climb
199 steps (cast-iron spiral stair)
Setting
Cape May Point State Park
On the ground
From the watch gallery the view sweeps across Delaware Bay, the Atlantic, and the dunes and freshwater ponds of the surrounding state park — a vantage that explains why this corner of New Jersey draws so many visitors each year.
Cape May Point is one of the most famous bird-migration crossroads on the East Coast, so an RV trip timed to spring or fall pairs the lighthouse climb with hawk watches and shorebird activity along the park's trails.
Climbing hours and admission are set seasonally by the nonprofit that operates the tower, so confirm current schedules on the official site, and check state-park rules and nearby campgrounds when planning your stay.
Official sources
- Cape May MAC — Cape May Lighthouse State parks agency
Nearby & related
Keep planning New Jersey
Sourced costs, campground directories, and the places worth a detour — the next layer of New Jersey trip planning.
Planning an RV trip near Cape May Lighthouse: An RV Traveler's Guide?
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