Wildwood Beach
Wildwood, NJ
Wildwood's beach is free like the rest of the Wildwoods, with free parking specifically along the west side of New Jersey Avenue if you'd rather skip the meters entirely. A dedicated dog beach and park sits at Glenwood Avenue, open from 6 a.m. until dusk, a real option beyond the standard October through May window most nearby towns rely on.
Free beach access and a real dedicated dog beach are genuine perks, though the boardwalk crowds and the width of the beach mean a longer walk to the water than some neighboring towns.
How we score beachesUse the free New Jersey Avenue parking if you don't mind a short walk. The metered lots closer to the boardwalk fill first and cost more.
Free parking is available along the west side of New Jersey Avenue. Metered lots, including one at the boardwalk, are closer but cost more and fill faster.
The boardwalk is flat and paved for its length, with ramps down to the sand at regular points.
Dogs are allowed on the main beach from October through May. The dedicated Glenwood Avenue dog beach and park is open daily from 6 a.m. until dusk, separate from the seasonal restriction on the main beach.
Water warms into the low to mid 70s by August, consistent with the rest of the Wildwoods. The wide, flat beach here holds up well even during the most crowded weeks of summer.
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