Why leave your pet at home? A family vacation doesn't have to be without the most important member of the family!
Where should you stay in Cape May with a pet? Be it a guest house or hotel, Cape May has a good selection of pet-friendly accommodations and several restaurants that offer outdoor seating so your dog can accompany you to brunch!
Cape May City's beaches are not dog friendly during the summer, but you can take them on the beach from November through March. That makes the off season a great time to visit with your dog.
Cape May is a great destination if you like to vacation with your dog, but we want to caution you that Cape May City's beaches are not dog-friendly in season, and the Lower Township beaches along the Delaware Bay are the only beaches which are dog-friendly all year.
| Beach | When dogs are permitted |
 Cape May City |
Dogs are permitted on the promenade and beach from September 15 through May 15, during the winter months. They must be leashed at all times and with their owner. And please pick up anything they leave behind! Be sure to bring something for waste disposal. |
 Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area |
Allows dogs from September 1 to April 30. Higbee is owned by the State of New Jersey and is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Although you may see dogs year-round, it is not technically permitted. NJ Department of Fish & Wildlife WMA Regulations » (opens in a new tab) |
 Cape May Point |
Dogs are permitted from November 1 through March 14. (They are prohibited from March 15 through October 31, per the borough's code.) Dogs must be leashed at all times on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs must be accompanied by an owner over 12 years of age. |
 Sunset Beach |
Allows dogs September 15 to April 15 Note from CapeMay.com: We are checking with Lower Township Code Enforcement to confirm our interpretation of the current code book! |
 Lower Township, along the Delaware Bay |
Leashed animals are permitted any time of the day during the off-season. Animals are prohibited at the beach between the hours of 11:00 am and 4:00 pm in-season (Memorial Day - Labor Day). You'll need to leash your dog at all times when you're off of your own property, and cleaning up after them is mandatory. Lower's beaches run along the Bay coast and are quite narrow compared to Cape May's. Follow directions to the Ferry terminal, then make a right rather than turn into the Ferry complex. The beach will be on your left as you drive north. Park where you can find a space and enjoy! |
| Cape May Point State Park | Dogs are prohibited at Cape May Point State Park and the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge in an effort to protect vulnerable chicks of the federally-threatened Piping Plovers and Least Terns. Thank you for helping us to protect these species! |
Almost all pet-friendly accommodations take dogs, and some take cats and dogs. However, many have restrictions regarding the weight of the dog and the number of pets which can be accommodated.
| Accommodation | Type | Pets Allowed |
| Cape May House and Condo Rentals | House and condo rentals | There are many pet-friendly rental houses available. Be sure to ask what type of pets the accommodation allows. |
| Beachcomber Camping Resort | Campground | |
| Beach Shack | Hotel | Limited dog-friendly rooms. Policies apply. |
| Blue Fish Inn | Hotel | Dogs |
| Boarding House | Hotel | Dogs under 80lbs welcome! There is a nightly fee for up to 2 dogs. |
| Holly Shores | Campground | Dogs (2 per campsite) |
| Highland House | Bed and Breakfast | Accepts "just about all pets"! |
| Marquis de Lafayette | Hotel | Domestic dogs and cats are welcomed. Please ask about other types. The hotel has 20 pet-friendly room on the first floor for easy outdoor access. |
| Rhythm of the Sea | Bed and Breakfast | The Cape Carriage House is pet-friendly, but the main building is not. |
If your hotel, bed and breakfast, or campground offers pet-friendly lodging, email updates@capemay.com with the details!
Several restaurants have sidewalk seating where it's okay to bring your dog along.
Your dog doesn't have to spend the whole vacation in your hotel room.
100 Schulz Drive
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Red Bank is a 24-hour emergency pet hospital.
If you think your pet is having an emergency, call (732) 747-3636 for assistance. They will help assess the situation and determine if you need to bring in your pet.
2033 Route 9
North
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Ocean View offers extended hours in the evenings and on weekends. If your pet is having an emergency, call 609-739-7097.
1173 Route 9 South
Cape May Court House, NJ, 08210
609-465-5590
Parkway Vet, located a little south of Cape May Court House, has an after-hours veterinarian on call until 10pm. They may refer you to a 24-hour emergency service.
Located on Lafayette Street near the corner of Broad, the dog park has a gazebo, toys, and a water source for when the dogs get thirsty during play. The park is double gated for easier entry and introduction. It's open daily from dawn to dusk.
Passes are required to use the park. They're available at City Hall. Please call the city Clerk's office at 609-884-9525.
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