Island Beach State Park

My favorite beach to go to, no crowds but I go to the end just before the fisherman drive on. It’s dog friendly but they must be on a leash so many use a long rope so their dogs can swim. It’s clean and has beautiful water and sand. I just love it here, it’s my favorite place to spend any time I have off from work. If you want to have a bon fire watch the tide so you don’t go when it’s high , go before the gate closes at 6 and everyone must have a fishing pole in the car or they won’t let you thru late in the afternoon. I’d also be careful not to take the jungle walk lol I got eaten by bugs before I realized certain beaches have a boardwalk to the sand.

Island Beach State Park – A Love Letter… with Footnotes I’ve been to Island Beach State Park more times than I can count, and each time it manages to remind me why New Jersey deserves more respect than it gets. This is the Jersey Shore without the hair gel, without the crowds (if you time it right), and without the overpriced calamari. What I love: This place is raw beauty. No boardwalk, no neon signs, just miles of pristine beach backed by untouched dunes and maritime forest. You walk over the dunes and boom—just ocean and sky. The kind of view that makes you forget about your inbox and your ex. The water’s usually clean, the sand soft, and if you're lucky, you’ll see dolphins offshore or osprey hunting overhead. There’s even a great area for kayaking on the bay side, which is perfect if you like your adventures a little quieter. But… let's be real: It’s still Jersey. That means in the summer, the line to get in can stretch all the way back to “why did I leave the house today?” And don’t even try parking close if you roll in after 10am on a July weekend—you’ll need a Sherpa and a camel to reach the beach from your car. Also, facilities are basic. Think “rustic charm,” not “spa day.” And if you're looking for food, you better pack your own unless you want to trust the fate of your afternoon to a snack bar hot dog. Bottom line: Island Beach State Park is a reminder of what the Shore looked like before the Shore became a brand. If you want real nature with just enough infrastructure to keep you from regretting it, this place delivers. Just plan ahead, show up early, and bring bug spray—unless you’re into blood donations for the local mosquito population.

Can't wait....2 weeks. The beach us beautiful, you can hike to the end of the peninsula. They now have a great food take out at Lot 2 and a bar at Lot 1. Unfortunately they removed the showers which was great for those who travel. I've been going for 60 years.

New Jersey resident: Best beach in my opinion. Cheap & easy parking, bar in the summer, showers and proper bathrooms close to the beach. No beach tags. Pay to enter the park, that’s it.

I stayed with friends in nearby Seaside Park primarily due to its proximity to Island Beach State Park. Unfortunately, we discovered that there were no life guards on duty after Labor Day during the week, and swimming was strictly prohibited. We did enjoy the Fisherman's Walkway Trail and the Spizzle Creek Bird Blind Trail.

Island Beach has been a favorite beach-going destination for myself and my family for more than sixty years. Spacious beaches, up-to-date facilities, beautiful natural landscapes, and a relatively inexpensive admission fee -- what's not to love? Add in an on-site museum and trails, special areas for surfers, surf fishers and dune buggy enthusiasts, and there's something for everyone here. And when the day is over you're only a few minutes from the Seaside boardwalk. Highly recommended.

One of best beach on the Jersey Shire, hidden gem with access till 8 pm. We will be back!

On the 4th of July the park was closed. After driving 3 hours I come to a line with about six cops and park employees having everyone turn around. Absolutely brilliant they will have that many people on payroll to turn people away. No notice on the website. All the other beaches were a insane parking fee, thats if you could find one. Ten miles of beautiful beach closed and forcing everyone into the ant hill that is Seaside Heights. I guess if you're a resident its great but the general public be dammed. Its sickening. Here's to hurricane season coming up hoping this place is whipped off the map.