Belleplain State
Forest
Belleplain State Forest was established in 1928 for recreation, timber
production, wildlife management, and conservation of water supplies.
The forest stand includes pine, oak, and southern white cedar. Various
demonstrations of reforestation are conducted to study the production
of forest related crops and the conservation of forest resources.
The forest includes recreational facilities for picnicking, boating,
camping, hunting and fishing, swimming, and over 40 miles of walking
trails. Seasonal interpretive programs are conducted by the staff. A
recreation use fee is charged for camping and picnicking.
Directions: From state roads 47 or 347, turn east on county road 550
through the community of Belleplain. The main entrance is located midway
between the communities of Belleplain and Woodbine. From the Garden
State Parkway, take exit 17 and follow US9 north to the intersection
with CR550. Follow CR550 and the Forest signs west through Woodbine.
Hours: The park is open from dawn to dusk. The lake is open for swimming
from 10:00am to 6:00pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Telephone: (609) 861-2404
Cape May Bird Observatory
Administered by the New
Jersey Audubon Society, the Observatory is dedicated to perpetuating
and preserving the ornithological significance and natural history of
the Cape May area. Regularly scheduled interpretive programs are provided.
The Center has a small bookstore and gift shop, interpretive exhibits
on the Delaware Bay's ecosystem, a training and research center, vistas
of tidal salt marshes, and a planned nature trail along a brackish water
creek.
Directions: Follow state road 47 south from Dennisville. The center
is located on the east side of SR47, just south of the intersection
at CR657.
Hours: The center is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Telephone: (609) 861-0700.
Cape May National
Wildlife Refuge
Established in January of 1989, Cape May National Wildlife Refuge is
one of the newest refuges in the National
Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge provides critical habitat for
migratory birds and other wildlife. It supports 317 bird species, 42
mammal species, 55 reptile and amphibian species and numerous fish,
shellfish, and other invertebrates. The refuge has upland and lowland
forests, fields, barrier beach, salt marsh and salt meadows cut through
by meandering tidal creeks and ponds.
Several foot trails through the refuge's habitats provide excellent
opportunities for birding, nature photography, and environmental education.
Directions: From exit 10 of the Garden State Parkway at Cape May Courthouse,
turn south on US Route 9. Then turn west (right) on county road 658
(Hand Avenue.) Turn south on state road 47, then immediately west onto
Kimbles Beach Rd. The entrance to the office is ahead.
Hours: The office is open weekdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm. The refuge
is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Telephone: (609) 463-0994.
Dennis Creek
Wildlife Migration Area (Jake's Landing)
A
vast expanse of waving acres of marsh grass is visible from here. Several
tidal creeks and drainage canals traverse this area providing channels
for marine fish to spawn. The northern harrier can frequently be seen
silently gliding low over the marshes in search of food for its young.
Often the egrets and herons stir up the musty waters in search of a
tasty morsel. Muskrats busily gather marsh grasses and reeds to construct
their domed lodges where they may seek refuge from the heat of the day
or any raptors that may be watching from nearby clumps of trees.
Directions: Follow state roads 55 & 47 south from Millville to
the community of North Dennis. Watch for the intersection of CR557.
Travel 0.3 miles further south on SR47 to Jake's Landing Road. Turn
west (right) on Jake's Landing Road, and follow it to the end - approximately
1.5 miles to the parking lot, boat ramp, and Dennis Creek.
Hours: This unstaffed point of interest is open daily from dawn to
dusk.
Telephone: NJ Division of FG&W (856) 629-0090.
Dennis Township Wetland Restoration Site
This 560 acre site was diked in the 1950s to exclude tidal flow from
the Delaware Bay for the purpose of salt hay farming. Public Service
Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) purchased the property in 1994
as part of a program to help increase fish productivity. PSE&G modified
365 acres of the site in 1996 by creating a network of channels and
inlets to support restoration of normal tidal flow and the growth of
desirable marsh plants. The site now provides important spawning, nursery,
foraging, and refuge habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms, and
wildlife using the estuary.
Directions: Follow state road 47 north from Dennisville. Turn west
(left) at the traffic light with the intersection of SR347, and follow
it approximately 2.2 miles to Eldora. Turn south (left) onto Stipson's
Island Road, and follow it to the end.
Hours: Open from dawn to dusk.
Telephone: 1-888-MARSHES ((888) 627-7437).
Eldora Nature Preserve
The Nature Conservancy’s Delaware Bayshores Center, located on
the Eldora Nature Preserve, was once the home of renowned entomologist
Dr. C. Brooke Worth. The Center houses the Delaware Bayshores Office,
interpretive exhibits, several aquariums, a display of local moths and
butterflies, the Bayshores Gift Shop, a butterfly garden, and a hummingbird
garden. A nature trail leads through a woodland environment on the way
to the marsh. The Eldora Nature Preserve is the first preserve established
by The
Nature Conservancy in New Jersey for the conservation of insects,
particularly moths and butterflies. A fenced area protects the red chokeberry,
a host plant for rare moths, from being eaten by other species.
Directions: From Cumberland County, take state route 47 south
into Cape May County. The Preserve entrance is the first building on
the left after entering Cape May County.
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Telephone: (609) 861-0600.
