Cape May County Park & Zoo sits inside Cape May Court House’s 200-acre Park Central in Middle Township, New Jersey, and has offered free year-round admission since it opened in 1978. What began as a 40-acre plantation tract donated to the county in 1942 has grown into one of the most visited free zoos on the East Coast, drawing roughly 620,000 guests a year.
The zoo houses more than 550 animals across about 250 species within 85 acres of exhibit space, anchored by a 57-acre African Savanna, a free-flight aviary, and a reptile house. It holds accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and takes part in cooperative species survival programs, reflecting a conservation mission built on top of its no-admission-fee model.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Cape May Court House, Middle Township, New Jersey
- Opened: 1978
- Size: 85 acres of exhibits (within a 200-acre park)
- Species/animal count: 550+ animals, about 250 species
- Annual visitors: About 620,000
- Famous for: Free admission and its 57-acre African Savanna
From Donated Farmland to AZA-Accredited Zoo
The land that became Cape May County Park & Zoo started as a roughly 40-acre former plantation tract owned by the Matthews family, donated to the county in 1942. Over the following decades the surrounding parkland expanded to about 200 acres, and the zoo itself opened to the public in 1978, growing into the 85-acre exhibit complex it is today.
The zoo has weathered setbacks, including a 2010 blizzard that destroyed its bald eagle habitat, which was later rebuilt. More recent investment includes the Walter Trettin Snow Leopard Habitat, completed in 2016, and a 2024 gift of $1.4 million described as the largest single donation in the zoo’s history.
What Visitors Can See
The zoo’s centerpiece is its 57-acre African Savanna exhibit, alongside a free-flight aviary that lets birds move through open, naturalistic space and a dedicated reptile collection. A zoo carousel featuring animal-themed riding seats, rather than traditional horses, is a popular stop for families.
As an AZA-accredited facility, the zoo also participates in species survival programs aimed at supporting conservation breeding for threatened animals, giving its free admission model a conservation purpose beyond public recreation.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
Cape May County Park & Zoo FAQs
Is Cape May County Park & Zoo really free to visit?
Yes, the zoo offers free year-round admission to the public, funded through the county park system rather than ticket sales.
When did Cape May County Park & Zoo open?
The zoo opened in 1978, though the surrounding park land was originally donated to the county in 1942.
How many animals live at the zoo?
The zoo is home to more than 550 animals representing roughly 250 species across its 85 acres of exhibits.
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Photo: WhisperToMe / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.