This place is awesome. If your white you'll be a loner but aside from that it's great. Theirs lots of different beaches family friendly beaches as well as nude beaches. $20 dollars to get the car in. Theirs food onsite. Kayaked rentals bathrooms and lifeguards. Only downfall is no garbage cans Wich is sad because this place makes a lot of money to not be able to take the garbage away.well worth a visit tho

If you want to bike, run, or walk into the heavens, try Sandy Hook. The birds sing beautiful songs as you walk down the trail, and the Bambi-like deer feed on both sides of the trail and also on the median when leaving. It simply feels like you're in another world. Everyone I passed was extremely pleasant and probably feeling just as happy and invigorated as I was. I haven't walked so much in years as I have the past few days, and I can't imagine not going back to enjoy that feeling again...

An absolutely phenomenal National Park Service property, it is free between Labour Day and Memorial Day, and is far less busy than the summer. It is loaded with history, nature, and great views of mainland Jersey, the Atlantic, Long Island, and best of all, New York City/Manhattan in the distance. It is popular with fishermen and day trippers from the NYC area, but also with locals since it is very accessible by both car and alternative transport. There is a ferry from NYC in the summer. There is a clothing-optional beach (it must be quite something to bare-all in sight of the world’s best city, legally, that is), America’s oldest lighthouse, several abandoned military installations, and many trails and other things. Cheers to the Coast Guard as well!

This is one of my favorite places to visit in all of NJ. The beauty is breathtaking and the diversity in landscape is incomparable. I’ve been here multiples times with my family and I always look forward to the times when we can return. The bike path is particularly beautiful! Highly recommend!

What a great facility. Especially off season when the crowds are much less and there are fewer people. Great, bike/walking paths, wide beaches, the natural landscape of the area has remained fairly untouched, and their are restroom facilities available. A great place to go to when you are looking to spend the day outdoors.

Sandy hook beach! A perfect weekend spot, preferably in summers. Its perfect place to visit with friends, family and kids. The beach is clean and silent.There is a provision to take shower after you come out of salt water. There are few things that needs to be noticed. There is no life guards available on this beach so be very very careful about your actions in water, you will see it clearly written erywhere. Second thing that i noticed and the warning was placed at entrance was tent js not allowed there, i dont know why but thats how it is. There are sufficient parkings available and there are 5 to 6 parking lots are available right from parking A to Parking B till Parking E. Parking is free. Carry your food stuff and enjoy at beach just make sure to not litter the place, keep it safe and clean. There is a big list of what, you should not do there, i will attach a photo of the quick beach rules. I had parked my car at parking D and this parkinv is nearest to beach as per the maps. I think you all should wait for a good warm weather to plan your trip to sandy book There are few other nearby beachesalso there, if you get time visit. The place is not accessible with wheelchairs, so please plan accordingly. Hope you all will have a great day ahead. Ciao!

If you pay the Park Service during the summer to beach at Sandy Hook, might as well head back the main drive and check out this amazing lighthouse and residence! Still standing strong after a very long time (late 1700's), it's the oldest operating lighthouse in the US. Pretty cool to drive around the grounds and see all the Army barracks and houses being refurbished and some of the old stone batteries from a war-waging era of long ago. Groovy little side trip, if you're not sunning and funning the whole time you're there. Give it a go!

Really cool 1940s military homes barracks. Great for biking, birding, wildlife viewing. At dusk there are countless deer. We even saw a fox. Visit history house. Of course it's great for the beach too.

Very clean and beautiful beaches. Restrooms at very stop. Can look into New York City from the beach.

Sandy Hook is the Gem on NJ. An absolute outdoor paradise. I visit every chance I get, and burn ours on end, without even coming close to covering everything there is to see and do

Beautiful place. Many areas to chose from to bathe, play some games or relax. There is trucks with light refreshments and snacks. Restrooms are clean and quick showers are available. Parking is $20.00

First time at Sandy Hook national Park. I mainly wanted to check out the beaches but there is plenty of history to see there as well. The temperature was in the mid 90s so I didn’t feel super motivated to walk around but I did check out the lighthouse and the observation deck. The beaches are very nice and clean and some of them have lifeguards on duty. I thought $20 per car was a bit excessive, especially since I was there by myself.

This is a wonderful recreational area on jersey Shore, which is loaded with history. There are many abandoned military buildings and installation in this area and many parking lot with immidiate access to water. Lighthouse is functional and open to public. Driving around this area is so peaceful.

Good beach during the fall, too crowded during the summer, tons of flies that bite. However, they have a bike trail that runs along the beach, plenty of parking as long as you get here early on a hot day. Lots of historical buildings to visit. Bathrooms and showers at select parking spots/ entrances to the beach, some even have vendors for food.

I love this place. You can stay on a few beaches by the ocean side or by bay. You can even stay on nude beach (lot G). You can jog there or bike (very nice bike path!), if you dont have your own bike - it's a rental place there. During summer season they always have food and ice cream trucks there.

Visiting D Beach at Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook was one of the best beach experiences I've had in NJ in a long time. The beach offers clean and peaceful surroundings, and a glimpse of New York City's skyline to the North is a fun treasure hunt for the kids. The facilities were in excellent condition, and we felt very safe with our children there, thanks to the impressively vigilant lifeguards, who not only look out from their towers but also spotted them walking the beach between towers occasionally. A must-see spot for families or anyone looking to enjoy nature and a day at the beach. Beware of the friendly birds though; they might just be a little too friendly! Feed them at your peril; they have a way of calling in reinforcements and leaving behind 'gifts.' Enjoy!

Great part of the New Jersey North Shore.This was an old Army military base Sandy Hook and part of the US DEW (Defense Early Warning) line. You can camp at Sandy Hook Campground and there is a nude beach. It also has access to some shore fishing and several hiking trails. Check out the active Coast Guard Station and the lighthouse.

Part of an old military installation there's lots of history there. Some of the buildings are in poor shape, some are being worked on and yet some others appear to be in usable shape. I went there for the clothing optional beach known as Gunnison Beach. Went there to nude sunbathe with other like minded people. It's a small area and will fill up quickly. I went mid week and there was at least several hundred people there. Lots of laughter and good times. People keep to themselves and just do their thing. You can be there with clothes on and a good half of the people there when I visited were clothed. I wish there were more places like this. The parking area for this beach is lot G, while a large lot, it was almost when I left. Definitely going back.

I have been coming to Sandy Hook State Park for many years to visit the beach and to bike ride. I typically buy the season pass because I would often come both weekend days as I only live 40 minutes from the park. This summer, the state park decided to stop talking cash to enter the park which I believe is the cause of this summer's problems because they only have 3 or 4 stations to take payment to enter the park and they need to wait for credit cards to clear. It was so much easier for each car to hand the park ranger the 20$ bill, get their tag for parking, and go. Here's why I won't be coming back to the park. I can drive to Wildwood in the time it takes me to get on the beach, and that beach is FREE! The drive has become stressful because everyone tries to cut you off on the bridge and it leads to anger and fights. I am tired of seeing middle fingers flying and hearing cars leaning on their horns. Now let me give a shout out to the Highlands Police for trying to keep the peace and maintain safety. On many occasions on beautiful beach days, they have set up cones on the bridge to keep cars from skipping the line and trying to cut people off who are waiting to get off the exit. They have also handed out summons for drivers not following the traffic pattern rules. It is notable that the park and its beaches are beautiful, but not worth the nonsense. I would not be surprised if the state loses out on lots of money because people stop coming to the park. Also, I think there will be an increase in people parking on the side streets in the Highlands, causing additional problems, and then walking or biking over the bridge to go to the park. The state park charge for car entry into the park, not by person.

It's hard to believe this oasis is available so close to the metropolitan mecca of NYC. In fact you have an amazing view of Manhattan, Brooklyn , Staton Is. And Coney Is. So much to do and see. Deer everywhere, shore birds, shell collecting, swimming, fishing, you name it and it's there. Never feels overcrowded either. Walk for miles in the surf and sand. Such a beautiful place in New Jersey.

Underappreciated, incredibly scenic spot here on the Jersey Shore with a rich history. Especially great place to explore at sunset!

While the Jersey Shore has many wonderful beaches to explore, few compare to Sandy Hook Beach at the Gateway National Recreation Area. With the ocean on one side, the bay on the other, bike trails, an old fort and a lighthouse, among other attractions, you are guaranteed a happy, relaxed commune with bayshore nature and history. Carry in and carry out policy ensures a cleaner beach, Get in very early in the morning or wait until mid-afternoon during July and August for parking area ($20/day parking fee or $100/season pass for parking). Rest of the year is less congested. You can always ride in on bikes.

We came for a day at the beach at Sandy Hook and are so glad we chose this park! There are several beaches and parking lots available. The beaches are clean. There is plenty of sand and open areas on the beach without rocks. But if you like the scenery of beach rocks, there are areas with rocks as well. There are areas for fishing and kayaking on the harbor side of the island. Drive down to the far end of the island and you will find the coast guard and an old Nike missile base. We did spend time doing any of the tours, but we plan to go back to do so. There is also a lighthouse on the Nike base that you can tour.

Sandy Hook is quite the gem when it comes to parks. State, Federal or otherwise. I enjoy it more after summer after the city crowds finally leave. Lots of good fishing, biking,and other passive things are available. Also check out the new restaurant called the Mule Barn. Great atmosphere and quite decent food. Prices are fair and reasonable. Definitely worth a trip.

I've lived near here my whole life. The bay on one side and the ocean on the other. I couldn't imagine world not living by the water! Full of history, an awesome lighthouse and wildlife!

I went to this park to see the Lighthouse, it was closed due to Covid-19. Looks lit a nice place for bike riding, Fishing, birding, and Cookouts.

Enjoyed the park. Love combining trails and rewarding myself with beach time.

Clean fun enjoyable beach. Bathrooms were pretty clean and showers were ok. Thankful for the path they have onto the beach, helpful for pulling coolers and walking in general.

Great park. work day crowd avoidance is key! exceptional biking and exploring . McFlys is the only general store with late hours. Opens at 11am.

We parked in lot D. There is a bathroom in lot E. Not super crowded. Nice view of the Manhattan skyline from where we were. The waves were carrying smaller rocks and pebbles every time they crashed on the beach. My toes and shins were scraped up. Not sure if it is always like that. The lighthouse is the oldest working one in the USA. Completed in 1764. Pretty cool! Worth the visit for sure.

Some buildings are still closed due to COVID, and I can only speak to what it's like in September after Labor Day. It's an intriguing place. Old military fortifications, old buildings that must have been barracks, a lighthouse, plus currently used and restricted military training areas. Those are the buildings. You don't go for that. You go for the beaches, the view of Manhattan and NYC, the wildlife and preservation areas and the lookouts that have been built, at least one fully wheelchair accessible, which give amazing views. Bike paths and walking paths. Off season -- Labor Day to Memorial Day -- it's also free! Directional signage for drivers isn't great, but it's not that big a place so we couldn't get that far off our paths. Plenty of parking off season on a weekday, although there were quite a lot of people at at least one of the beaches. I think I would go back when more pieces are open. But definitely worthwhile.

It took a long time to get into the park. Once we got through the pay tolls it was easy. We parked in lot c to go swimming. There are bike paths to ride around quite a bit.

There's something for everyone to enjoy. Relax on the beach, bike the trails, join the bird watchers, go surf fishing, visit the lighthouse, explore Fort Hancock.... Well, the list goes on and on.

Scenic, natural environment. There's a beach on the bay side near the entrance to the park. Bike and walking trails. Historic fort Hancock. Several beaches from one end of the Sandy Hook peninsula to the other, including one clothing optional beach, which is nice and wide and very scenic.

Beautiful place. Plenty for all to do. Great beaches, pleanty of historic sites to see, and a nice bike paths to recreate. Great family place. The bathrooms with showers are very convenient. Bring your food and a trash bag with you. The park has a few food trucks scattered around but they are not always open. Trash service is not provided you must take your trash with you. Keep out beaches beautiful. 😊

Family and I go year round. Beautiful views along the shorelines on both sides of the peninsula. Clean beaches and the bike/walking path are easy to use along the ocean side. Free access from Labor Day to Memorial Day.

Rangers were wonderful with children. So nice to see children and adults enjoying nature. Would definitely recommend campfires with the Rangers!!

Very nice place to go to the beach. It was a beautiful beach day when I went. Has views of NYC skyline as well.

Nice place to visit, sometimes they are blocking off entire lots I guess to do work since no reason is given. Don't speed here because they will pull you over. A good place to fish, of you swim here you better be familiar with the ocean since it drops off. Overall a good place, I think the fee is going up to $20 a car. If you are military I think there is a way to get a national pass to go in for free..

WOW! So much to see!!! Now there are parts that you cannot swim, we were not there to swim, but it was odd that you couldn’t swim. This year, 2023, the light house is only open from Friday to Monday. We were told, so we missed it. The old base was a gem to see and glad they are repurposing the buildings! Check out the pictures, we enjoyed it!

This was a very pleasurable experience as well as an area of the park that can only be experienced by being there!!! Campsites are very clean and easy to set up camp on. All of the rangers that were encountered had very positive attitudes and friendly interactions with the campers. Parking is blocked off to non camp patrons. Will def go again and again!!!

Sandy Hook is a great place to while away time and is highly recommended for those looking for alternatives to NYC's crowded beachfront areas. The main draws are the beaches (one of them clothing optional), but there are other spots worth visiting, including the oldest working lighthouse in the country and a fort built in the 1800s to guard the entrance to New York harbor. If you like visiting places with a ghost town vibe, the abandoned and dilapidated structures along the western shore will definitely not disappoint. This place is huge and is out of the way for those without a car or bike (the nearest bus stop is 7 miles from the entrance). Bring your own provisions if you're planning to be here for hours.

We went there with our Boys scout troops. We parked the vehicles on of the first parking lots, took our bikes and rode all the way to end and back. Weather was really nice and water was warm too(Sep 17th). Had a sea bath at the tip of the island overlooking staten island. we will definitly do this again with our family and friends too.

Great place to enjoy beach, cycling and generally being outside. One admission gets you entrance to the park from Memorial day until Labor day, after that it's free. Always love to see the New York skyline from there.

Great spot for some R&R. Dog beaches available on the bay side during summer months, winter months both ocean and bay is ok. Kayak rentals for the bay side. No beach badges needed, but $20 per car to enter. Coast Guard station located within the park too.

Parking lot C is where I started my adventure. A lot of surfers are at this part of the shore. I took my bike off the car and started the adventure for the day there was a lot to see. And officer's house to go in and visit. The lighthouse beaches public bathrooms tables and picnic areas I however did not see a playground I rode my bike 10 miles that day.

This is a family-friendly place. Very Clean, most people are friendly. When you arrive the ocean is to your right and the bay is to your left. If you continue to drive down the road at the end is Fort Hancock . Hereyou can rent a bicycle, or just follow a trail. There is a camping ground. Sorry i can't tell you much about this. ***BAY SIDE IS DOG FRIENDLY ALL YEAR LONG 🥰😍 This is a wonderful place to destress !

Went to Gunnison Beach which is one of 5 beaches at Sandy Hook. It's clothing optional and it's very peaceful and quiet there . No one bothers anyone. We all enjoy being naked out in the sun ,sea, and sand.

So worth visiting if you are into Military History it is an old WW2 Barricks I thought is was Beautiful the buildings are original and some are still used by the coast guard it is $20 per car to enter the park but was well worth it you can also swim here and there is a little store Cash Only by the lighthouse Check it out for yourself if you are in the area

Not Fla., but it's just a short hop down the "Highway jammed with broken heroes." And, (don't tell anyone) but, you just might see "The Boss" here. And, one beautiful summer day on the beach, a friend once asked me, "Really, how much better could it be in the Bahamas?" But there are times during storms, here when land, sea and sky all come together. It's a hike of about 3/4 mile over sand to the tip and it's where this is most evident. In late fall I saw the carcass of an 8 point buck lying next to a large dead sea turtle. They had both succumbed to the same storm. And this land mass is being reclaimed by the sea. It won't be long as a tidal lake from the bayside steadily encroaches towards the beachfront and astronomical storm tides regularly wash over the beach, cutting channels through it to meet this tidal lake. Out at the tip, there are strong currents and deep water. A wave can wash up behind you from the right and drag you into deep water and strong currents to the left. No swimming is allowed and fishermen beware, especially during night tides, when silent, unseen tanker wakes can sweep you off the point, as the channel goes right passed the tip. The green #1 bell buoy clangs and tilts in the current and waves, almost in casting range.