Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
🌤 Weather at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35–71 °F | 63–86 °F | 41–79 °F | 28–48 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Cape May 2 NW, 9 mi away, elevation 20 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
1874 Swiss Carpenter Gothic Lighthouse — Active Navigational Aid, Award-Winning Victorian Gardens, Keeper Museum, North Wildwood Cape May County NJ
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse at 111 North Central Avenue, North Wildwood, Cape May County, New Jersey. The lighthouse features an 1874 Swiss Carpenter Gothic (Stick Style) lighthouse still active as a navigational aid, award-winning Victorian-style gardens surrounding the lighthouse grounds, a museum detailing the history of lighthouse keepers and maritime life on the Jersey Shore, a gift shop with nautical memorabilia, and one of the best-preserved Victorian lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is New Jersey’s most charming lighthouse — the 1874 Swiss Carpenter Gothic design (Stick Style) makes it look more like a Victorian seaside cottage than a traditional lighthouse tower. The warm wood exterior and residential design reflect its dual purpose — a working lighthouse that was also the keeper’s family home.
The award-winning Victorian gardens surrounding the lighthouse are a destination in their own right — meticulously maintained plantings of 200+ varieties of flowers and shrubs create a colorful oasis in the heart of North Wildwood, earning national recognition for their design and maintenance.
Things to Do
- Lighthouse tour — 1874 interior, keeper quarters
- Victorian gardens — 200+ plant varieties
- Maritime museum — keeper history, exhibits
- Gift shop — lighthouse and nautical items
- Photography — Gothic architecture, gardens
- Active light — still navigational aid today
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 111 N Central Ave, North Wildwood, NJ 08260 |
| Built | 1874 — Swiss Carpenter Gothic (Stick Style) |
| Status | Active navigational aid + museum |
| Gardens | Award-winning Victorian — 200+ varieties |
| Managed By | City of North Wildwood |
| Coordinates | 39.0067° N, 74.7922° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse — a charming 1874 Victorian “Carpenter Gothic” lighthouse — one of the most photographed lighthouses on the East Coast. The surrounding gardens attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Shorebirds, terns, and skimmers feed in the inlet.
Nearby Attractions
North Wildwood — adjacent. Wildwood — 3 miles south — has the largest collection of 1950s Doo Wop architecture in the US. Cape May — 5 miles south.
Can you tour Hereford Inlet Lighthouse?
Yes — Hereford Inlet Lighthouse at 111 North Central Avenue in North Wildwood, NJ, offers guided tours of the restored 1874 Swiss Carpenter Gothic lighthouse, one of the best-preserved Victorian lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast. Still active as a navigational aid, the site features a maritime museum, award-winning Victorian gardens with 200+ plant varieties, and a gift shop. The unique Stick Style design makes it one of New Jersey’s most photogenic lighthouses.
Last updated: May 2026
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Cape May Point State Park (a short drive away) and Cape May Lighthouse (a short drive away).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in NJ state parks and forests on leash but are prohibited from buildings, swimming beaches and non-designated campsites.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash 6 feet or less, with the pet under physical control at all times.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited from swimming beaches and swimming waters statewide.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited from cabins/lodging; the Pet Friendly Camping Program designates campsites at 13 areas (e.g. Round Valley all sites, Allaire 1-8, Bass River 1-85, Stokes 101-137) for up to two dogs or cats per permit.
- Pet fees statewide rule
- $5.00 per night additional charge for a pet-friendly campsite; no day-use pet fee.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pet Friendly Camping requires current rabies vaccination with written proof at check-in; caged birds/reptiles only allowed inside RVs.
Are dogs allowed at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse?
Pets are allowed in NJ state parks and forests on leash but are prohibited from buildings, swimming beaches and non-designated campsites. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via dep.nj.gov. More: New Jersey state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
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