Sandy Hook – Gateway National Recreation Area

Interesting place. Historic site with lots of wildlife. Will visit again when the park is open

Anywhere on Sandy Hook is a great place to visit. I never come here during the high season because of the expense and the crowds. But I have been coming here my whole life. The entire off-season and sometimes during the summer, but only after hours. It's a great place to come fishing or walking or just to watch the sunset by the officers houses.

Cool area to check out loaded with lots of history! This used to be the national coastguard base but has since been abandoned for multiple reasons! Very nice area to either drive, jog, walk, run, bike, or scooter around!

Always an amazing time at Sandy Hook recreational center. I've been traveling all around Europe going to a lot of beaches and Sandy Hook is very clean compared to long branch Monmouth beach New Jersey Beaches., thank you federal rangers for keeping the beaches clean at Gateway national recreation center. I know how much of a challenge it is because people leave lots of garbage everywhere and it's horrible.

So many options for beaches to visit. Up north there are views of New York City, to the east the Atlantic, and to the west where the Navasink meets the ocean. And always a great sunset photo awaits. Go off season or after 6pm to not pay for parking.

Great selection of beaches, bay, ocean and even clothing optional. Reasonable entrance fee. Lots to do besides sitting on the beach. Decent services at most spots. Views of NYC are a bonus.

I can't believe that I have lived in New Jersey and never explored this park. It's just a fantastic place full of history and beauty. I will make sure to return as much as possible! I am so pleased that they are restoring the old buildings.

Beach combing and hiking around the tip of Sandy Hook after tropical storm, Ophelia spun in for the second time. A place where land and sea are confused in turmoil during increasingly turbulent storms. Littoral currents wash north, bringing sand and debris from the south to the last strand of sandy beach on the Jersey Shore. We parked at Area "M" and hiked out to the inside bay area through dunes, past a tidal estuary, rolled up our pants and forded a fast rushing rivulet to reach the point with a channel buoy washed up, then around the point, along the beach to a fully rigged stranded thirty foot "J" Class sloop heeled over, high and dry. Sea and air were in the mid sixties with NNE winds. Fishermen caught fluke and spot along the shore. The fish were hungry after sulking during the storm. It was the last day of fluke season. Fishermen had their way with large keeper fluke. Everything comes together out on the tip of the Hook. It's always an exhilarating adventure to explore this place.

Incredible National park located right on the Jerry shore. The history can be seen around every corner and the wildlife is plentiful. The beaches here are great and a few cool restaurants too

I've been coming to this fantastic beach all my life. I love everything about it. There's so much to do here, and you can make the visit as restful or as active as you want. You can park in any of the many gigantic parking lots, take a short walk to the beach, and lay down on the sand and enjoy your day that way. If you want to swim in the ocean, there are some beaches with lifeguards so you can do that safely. On the bay side, people go windsurfing, seining, fishing, and clamming. You're allowed to visit the lighthouse and go up in it. If you like history, there are a whole lot of military buildings, some abandoned, which you are allowed to explore. It cost $20 for a car to enter. For part of the year you can go for free. Bring your own food and drinks, and make sure you carry out your trash. There are no trash cans on the beach. There are some public restrooms with flush toilets and running water sinks. There are cold water outdoor showers and sods vending machines. Sometimes there's an ice cream truck in the parking lot.

The beaches run a 6 mile course along the Atlantic Ocean and the bay on the other side. On the Atlantic Ocean side the white sand beaches gradually extend to the ocean. On the bay side the beaches are shorter to the water front with some rock jettys. Trails from the parking area to the ocean front are lined with sea grasses and wild flowers including thrift. In the distance lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn skyline are visible. The beaches are labelled (A-E) & H. Beach D has lifeguards during the season. showers, bathrooms and food trucks at times. It is a large beach with white clean sands. There are no trash cans so signs are posted "Take your trash home". Sandy Hook has a wedding chapel by the sea. Fort Hancock military base at the very end of the hook. There is a light house and life Guard Station but the most famous beach is Gunnison beach. Gunnison beach is an optional nude beach. I on occassion have spent the day fishing on the beach which is designated for just that, FISHING. Stripped bass is the fish most prized. In the Spring flounder and fluke are most sought after. In the last decade the waters have become warmer and the Gulf Stream has brought up fish which are traditionally found in Florida. Sharks have also become more plentiful this year. Sandy Hook is free from Labor Day until Memorial Day. During the other times of the year, you are charged by the vehicle, motorcycle or camper. Walking into Sandy Hook is free. Pets are allowed on the bay side where they are free to swim and on some of the ocean front beaches. The ocean side has riptides at times. The bayside has businesses that rent kayaks and bikes.

Love coming here. All the beaches are great. Worth the money. The people are nice. It's sad to see a few mess it up but majority keep the place very clean. I will be back because the bike riding was great

Beautiful views and the old Ft Hancock is a great place to walk around and learn a little history. Very cool old buildings and a lighthouse. Relax walk and explore on the beaches. Distant views of Manhattan. You will see lots of deer and foxes at dusk as well. Locals were fishing off the beaches.

One note: this is a take your trash home with you park, so remember a trash bag. With the parking fee in summer ($15, credit cards accepted), you get access to the beaches (A-E,H,I parking lots and more), a nude beach in Gunnison, the lighthouse, lots of restoration projects (a lot of buildings damaged/waiting restoration), places you can rent, a wedding chapel by the sea, cannons and historic fort walls and magazines to wander around, a fishing beach and a view of NYC from part of the beach. Life guards at some of the beach areas. Food trucks and beach rentals at some of the parking areas (D for one). Bike and kayak rentals available, too. Off-season no charge, in-season they don't charge per head, so that's nice. Watch the areas where you can / can't take pets.

Love Sandy Hook all year long! Biking, hiking, running, sea kayaking (from Lot C), beach with a view of Manhattan (Lot G), touring old military sites & artifacts, and more. It's also great for a scenic drive.

3 ticks decently sized on my beach blanket in 2022, scared to go back. It's shame because it's the closest beach to me.

SANDY HOOK: Brie had the pleasure of attending a "doodle romp" on a gorgeous day in September and met so may cute, fluffy, and bouncy doggies! The view from North End beach (next to parking lot J) had wide open beaches and fantastic views of the NYC skyline! Such a sweet idea to meet new people and dogs! Sandy Hook is larger than we expected - 6 miles long, so to get to the northern-end beaches, prepare to drive for a while. Even from the parking lot to the beach, it's a bit of a walk through a lot of deep sand! There is a walking trail that meanders through the natural surroundings, old buildings, and even the lighthouse! Here are the official dog rules for the beaches: Pets ARE permitted on bay-side beaches at Plum Island and Horseshoe Cove throughout the year, but must always be on a leash (no longer than 6 feet). Prohibited: Ocean-side beaches at Sandy Hook Unit from March 15 through September 15 (piping plover season)

Great family fun! I love this beach/bay. Sandy hook has about 3 main beaches and a bay where you can bring your dogs and they can swim. There's many different sections of this beach, as well as a LGBT friendly NUDE beach (Gunnison). Overall this is a great view of the jersey shore with a view of nyc skyline in the distance. There are bathrooms available and free showers. During off season the beach is free but during peak season there is a small fee. Parking can get crowded on busy days or weekends, some people park across the bridge and walk over (I've done it, it's not that bad!) also don't forget to take your garbage! Don't liter at this place!enjoy your visit! I know I did! *please vote below if you enjoyed the review *

While I cannot deny the attraction of the numerous beaches at Sandy Hook I am really excited about the history of the area. Sorry for the extreme length. In no particular order: 1) Old Nike-Hercules Missile site currently being refurbished which will include the launching area as well as the IFC (Integrated Fire Control) area. 2) Battery Gunnison (yes, it is right at the entrance of the nude beach). This battery has the only 2 remaining guns (6 inch) and is being restored. Be sure to check it out on some weekends when people are there to explain the guns and plotting room. (I am amazed and saddened that we scrapped all of the guns during either WW I or WW II. We may have needed the metal but we could have left something for history) 3) Battery Potter - no guns left but this battery, built in the late 1890's, it is awesome. Walls over 30 feet thick, using guns raised by a very inefficient steam system. Only battery of it's type built at SH since the newer systems were much better. 4) Nine Gun Battery - cannot tour the site due to extreme danger from age but it is impressive from the parking lot. 5) Test Battery - immediately in front of Battery Potter and well worth going down to see where they test fired innumerable guns from north to south. Range became unusable when the range of the newer weapons was longer than the Hook. 6) Sandy Hook lighthouse - oldest lighthouse in the US. Great view all around. 7) Old Mortar Batteries near the lighthouse - gives you an idea of a different type of artillery (high angle indirect fire). 8) Ft Hancock - walking the grounds is enjoyable and the old buildings (Officer's Row, Officer's Club, etc.) give a glimpse of the past. Too bad the "powers that be" cannot get their heads together to preserve the buildings before they crumble into rubble. Bruce Springsteen filmed a video in the O Club and it is now sealed up and falling apart. 9) Small monument for a group of English seamen killed here. 10) Almost forgot the Lifesaving Station - worth a look. 11) Not on the Hook, but too close to miss - Twin Light Lighthouse. They have a 9 1/2 foot Fresnel lens which was once installed in the south light. You can go to the top of the north light. While there be sure to try Off The Hook, a restaurant at the base of the hill.

Beautiful beach. The different access areas make it easier to use. The beach is clean and not very crowded. We have been there for sunrise and for sunset. If you continue to drive further up on the road, it leads to the historic areas of the park. You can also see sunset from there which I thought was not accessible on the east coast. Good place for a day trip.

This review is of the campground only - Camp Gateway. This is a small (20 space) campground at Sandy Hook National Recreation Area in NJ. The campground is for tent camping only. No vehicles. You must reserve way ahead of time (or grab a last-minute opening) in order to secure a space. The facility has clean restrooms with toilets and sinks, a sometimes-manned ranger station, and an area of spigots with potable water. No campsite electricity. No showers (but for outdoor showers at the beaches). This campgroud is not "ON" the beach. It is in a mostly wooded area. You can walk to the sound, but the nearest oceanfront beach is about a mile away. Rangers were incredibly nice and helpful (as is generally the case with NPS rangers). Parking is VERY limited. It's first come first served and there is basically not enough to go around. You may have to unload and park a little down the road at another lot. You will get an overnight parking permit from the rangers upon check-in. Because your car cannot go to the campsite, you may want to bring a hand-truck, trolley, wheelbarrow, or even skateboard to help you transport your stuff to the campsite. You can buy wood for just under $10/bundle from the rangers. You cannot bring in outside wood (fear of bringing in invasive pests). There is no ice available in the park so get some beforehand. The sites vary in terms of shade. Some have a shade shelter, and it would sure be nice if the reservation website identified this! But, it doesn't. Seems unfair that this is not disclosed. We had 2 sites - B5 and B10. B 10 is nice and big, includes a shade shelter, and had ample room for 2 tents. B5 was a joke. It barely fit 1 tent. This worked ok for us since we had the 2 side-by-side spots we just flowed it all together, but if you had ONLY site B5 you would probably be displeased. Frankly I think B5 has no business being a site. If you are reserving both sites this will be ok, though. There are tons of raccoons here (typical for camping!) and they are not shy about STEALING YOUR GOODS! LOL! Bungee your coolers shut. Other food goes into your trunk when you are not there/asleep. BUT even if you are there, they might come right in front of you and STEAL YOUR PITA CHIPS! (I want those pita chips back!) They are very talkative at night and though not scary you should be aware that they're around!

My favorite Jersey beach - or should I say, beaches. I've spent many, many happy weekends and even weekdays here when I was a resident of New York and northern Jersey. Because it is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, in the summer you don't pay for beach badges, unlike in the other beaches of the Jersey Shore; but there is a vehicle entrance fee. Once inside the Hook, you're treated to your choice of several beaches, from regular family beach-picnic beaches to fishing beaches to even a clothing-optional beach! There are also non-beach picnic areas, abandoned military structures, woodlands and wetland nature preserve areas. And in several of the Atlantic side beaches, you are treated to a view of the New York City skyline and the Verrazano bridge on the northern horizon. This is also a bird-watcher's paradise, as many species of shore- and non-shore birds inhabit or migrate through the area. Being a nature lover, I enjoyed observing the distinctive shore flora which includes an indigenous species of prickly-pear cactus, abundantly-fruiting (in the fall) beach plums, and the most extensive holly forest in the northeast. Food and drink is limited to boardwalk-type fare in the food kiosks and the Seagull's Nest Restaurant, but you don't come to the beach for gourmet fare anyhow, unless you bring it yourself; and remember, no glass containers allowed at the beaches. And if fine dining is what you want, nearby Sea Bright, Navesink, and Highlands have many establishments for finer dining after your beach visit. I really love the place (can't you tell, from all the pictures I've posted?) and now that I've moved to the Southwest I miss Sandy Hook a lot ... and I know that when I visit New Jersey in the summer, a return to Sandy Hook will definitely be in my itinerary.

Next season Sandy Hook is planning to stop honoring our Military. After 911 all national parks allowed Active duty, Active Reservist and men and women that devoted over 20 years over their lives to the protection of our country to enjoy the park free. That will stop next summer but only in NJ. Also the plan includes eliminating the Senior discount. We need to stop this greedy plan of the state of NJ. Contact your congressman, senators, new crews anyone that can help before it's too late.

Sandy Hook is great! Free from Labor Day- Memorial Day or all year if you bicycling. This is my go to beach as it is a much easier drive from central/north NJ. The jogging/cycling path is awesome and I use it throughout the year. Don't just pull into the first beach you see- explore the entire area as there is a lot to see.

Best bargain 'down the shore'. $15 buys you entry, for as many people you can cram in your car. Weekend beach passes up and down the Jersey shore can be over $10/head, so do the math if you have a nuclear family of mom, dad, and two kids. Very few rules for visitors-no pets or kites in-season, besides that almost anything goes. Weekends and holidays can result in the park being full up, so plan to get there early to lock in a parking spot and a prime beach location. You do get many groups of out-of-towners, so you'll hear music of many cultures, giant family gatherings with exotic foods and drink, and European men wearing speedos. Visitor beware!

This is a great beach to take your dog and enjoy yourself for the day. There's plenty of beaches to choose from depending on your style. Of course, there's the famous (or rather infamous) Gunnison Beach, the nude beach of them all. That isn't quite my style, but if its yours, go right ahead. Unfortunately, I will knock it down to 3 stars for a few reasons. First off, it is a government-owned beach. That means there's no trash cans anywhere near the beach. You need to pick up your own trash and bring it home with you. That's a pain. Secondly, some of the people at this beach are not the most friendly, especially when you're trying to find a spot to relax during those dog days of summer. Thirdly, parking fills up fast, and can be rather expensive unless you buy the season pass. We had season passes for a few years, but then gave them up as we grew to like different beaches along the shore and found them getting too expensive when other beaches provide better experiences. The fact you can bring your pet though is a reason for getting the third star. Not to mention you get some great views of New York City (especially of Manhattan and Brooklyn). I would stick with Point Pleasant still as the best of the "Northern New Jersey beaches".

I love this place. It's like the Cape Cod National Seashore only a lot smaller. And a pain in the butt to get to. But it's like a world away even though you can see the Manhattan skyline from the beach. Really clean and lots of real fish swimming around you in the water. Have been to the nude beach Gunnison here and nobody bothers you and they have lifeguards, showers and food trucks.

Great beach experience - this is a must-go spot during the summer. Great for beach, biking, hiking, etc

I don't want to rate this place any lower inspire of some of the issues we faced - restaurants closed, restrooms not so clean. The place was doing good considering it was hit hard by Sandy. We took the Seastreak ferry from downtown on a Friday for 45$ pp round trip. Note: currently there's a coupon on the seastreak website for 30$ ticket. On weekends, NY waterway runs a ferry too. The ferries run at more frequent intervals on the weekend. The trip to Sandy Hook took 30 minutes. Once you disembark, you can take one of the buses to the beaches. North beach was just a 10-15 min walk, you don't really to stand in line for the bus to get to North beach. Right at the ferry landing point, there's also a kiosk/stand for renting bicycles. That sounds like a fun activity, will try that the next time. I asked the park ranger which beach had concession stands, beach chairs/umbrella rental and he suggested lot D. Too bad when we got there we found the restaurants to be still closed from the storm damage and no rentals. There were a couple of food trucks at the lot offering pizzas, hot dogs, burgers,smoothies, lemonade etc - so at least we didn't starve! The restrooms were open although not very clean. There were porta potties and showers as well. As for the beach itself - it was pretty clean. We did see a few debris here and there and cans/trash left by inconsiderate people. There are no trash cans at the beach - it was strictly carry in/carry out which I didn't mind as long as it keeps the place clean. We grabbed a spot near the water, laid down our beach towels and were all set to relax. The place started getting really crowded towards the afternoon. People were certainly well prepared than us and had brought tent, umbrellas and chairs. The water was a little cold - brrr. But we got used to it after a few chilly dips. The water wasn't crystal clear or a pretty blue shade but seemed quite clean. Quite a few kids had boogie boards with them and were enjoying the surf. The waves started getting a little rough towards the evening. There were a couple of life guards on the beach and they asked the people to get back when someone ventured too far. We took the ferry back at 4 pm (on weekends the last ferry back is 7 pm). We had a great time and would love to go back!

For some reason I always avoided Sandy Hook and preferred the likes of Asbury Park and Sea Bright on the rare occasion that I actually hit the beach. This year, I suddenly would rather do nothing else but spend time by the ocean. Asbury is always great but the cost of parking, the beach fee, and all those boardwalk temptations add up. Sea Bright is no more after Sandy (sniff sniff) so I've been exploring other options. I discovered Sandy Hook via some volleyball friends and have gone three times so far this season. There are very awesome and very ugly things about Sandy Hook. Let's break them down: Very Awesome: -The view of the NYC skyline -Extremely wide sand area that makes setting up a volleyball net super convenient and out of the way of other beach goers. -$15 per car for all day access to the Hook. No other fees. -Driving out further and exploring the old Fort Hancock and its ruins. -The drive out to North Beach towards the tip and the Observation Deck. If you haven't been, do check it out. It's especially beautiful at sunset. -Sandy Hook Bay, I haven't really explored it but am excited to hit that side of the island soon. The Ugly (based on three visits to South Beach, Lot D): - It's pretty dirty. Apparently not many people know what "Carry In, Carry Out" means. The sand is full of garbage, cigarette butts and tampons (I know, eww). -The restrooms are dark, damp and filthy. They have no air circulating through them and smell like they've been stewing in piss for months. -If your only mission is to play volleyball you won't mind the crowds of screaming children and their equally loud, smoking, drinking parents (man, I sound OLD!). But if you go there to sit and read and listen to the ocean, you'll hate it. You'll hate it a lot. You'll move a couple of times to avoid one crowd only to get stuck with someone worse setting up camp next to you. I'm still giving Sandy Hook 4 stars because it's close, it's cheap, it's great for beach volleyball, and the Bay area seems like THE place to hit if you want to surround yourself with water, the sounds of birds, and sand under your feet.

I absolutely LOVE hiking around Sandy Hook! There are a vast amount of places to see that many people don't even know exist there. The history of the 'Hook' is quite interesting & walking about you can stumble upon all sorts of structures that were used to protect the area from attack. Sadly, many are in various stages of decay & are unable to be explored from the inside. Follow to the very end to Fort Hancock where there are still buildings in use. Some structures are being worked on & there are rumors circulating what the end result will be, but I'm waiting for the dust to settle to see what actually happens there. Sadly, many of the officers housing is literally falling down. As a nature lover, I wander around either the beach or bay side of Sandy Hook. In the winter dogs are allowed on either side. That's important as he's my most enthusiastic hiking partner. After March 15th I believe, they are only permitted on the bay side. For the beach lover, there are miles of beaches. There are public bathrooms at most of the beaches, showers & water fountains. In the summer there is a fee, per carload, to enter. And yes, there is a nude beach if you are into that sort of thing, the only one I've ever heard of in NJ. There are many species of birds to see & hear, deer, fox, & many other wildlife. If you get lucky you may see harbor seals, a whale or some dolphins too. There are some beautiful plants to admire & there is also an incredible view of New York! The only downside to Sandy Hook is it is dirty. There is a lot of debris around, especially on the bay side. Much of it is from the buildings & walls that have crumbled over the decades but there is so much trash around, likely coming across from NYC. The views, history & vastness of Sandy Hook will always have me, & my hiking partner, coming back.

Sandy Hook is so much more than just a beach. The history in this place is very interesting if you like to explore. Excellent place to take a ride or hike. From the historic look out bunkers, lighthouse, officers row housing, nature trails, nature center, fishing, Horseshoe Cove camping, playgrounds and yes the beaches. You can spend many hours here exploring as this is an all season place. During the summer many travel to relax on the beach and even come by ferry from NYC to the Jersey Shore, because there is nothing like the Jersey shore. During the winter take a hike on the snowy beach and try to find seals, owls, hawks or even a bald eagle. On the River side there are observation decks to relax, look at the boats and birdwatch. Fantastic exploration here and many don't even realize because they never go to the end of the hook to see it all. The US Coast Guard, Lighthouse, Officers Row and Mast (Marine Academy of Science and Technology) is at the very end. Most of the housing is no longer used but still some buildings have been maintained and used for MAST. Sandy Hook, New Jersey: For most vehicles, beach parking is $15 per day or $75 per season. For oversized vehicles (more than 20 feet), charge is $30 per day or $150 per season. Hours of collection are 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. Camping The site open September and October, includes picnic tables, fire pits and grills. One tent site complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act for wheelchair accessibility. The campground sites include picnic tables, fire pits, grills and restrooms. Park rangers with camping experience will assist visitors who may be new to camping, according to the release. Overnight campers may not bring pets or alcohol to any overnight campgrounds at Sandy Hook, and camping is limited to primitive tents not RVs. Campers must bring their own tents. Reservations online at www.recreation.gov. Visitors can also call (732) 872-5916 with questions about the campsite, but not to make reservations.

Carry in, carry out. The beaches at Sandy Hook are large and clean, but there is very little in terms of attractions since the area lacks a boardwalk. I believe there are some areas to purchase food near the entrance to each beach, but I tend to bring a cooler with some snacks and plenty of beverages. The major advantages to Sandy Hook are twofold: first of all, you can avoid all of the teeny boppers who tend to opt for the more popular beaches near Pt. Pleasant and Seaside Heights. Secondly, the cost is only $15 per car, regardless of how many people are in the car. With the cost savings and the friendly atmosphere, Sandy Hook is one of my top picks for daily trips to the Jersey shore.

Ah, beautiful Sandy Hook. I'm a recent convert to this park and its beaches, but I'm so glad I found it. Originally I was taken here to check out Gunnison Beach (yes, for that reason) but I was so charmed with this place I knew I would have to come back. From all of the ocean side beaches you can get a nice view of the Brooklyn skyline; it's a very novel view to have at the beach, and really gives this place a lot of uniqueness. It's funny how a tiny secluded peninsula can be so close to, and yet so far away from the bustling city. The swimming is great too, because while there's about a foot and a half drop off, once you get past it the waters are calm and easy to wade in. Not to mention that this park is quite large, and if you want to spend the day exploring there's plenty to see! Their lighthouse, while not huge, is an interesting attraction nestled inside the now defunct Fort Hancock. The decaying military base in and of itself is strangely beautiful, like a town stuck in time. While I have not checked out the bay side beaches they look like a ton of fun - people can bring their dogs, and while there's no life guards that I can see, the water looks calm and shallow enough to enjoy. It's a great sight to see many people crabbing and fishing on the bay side, and one day I hope to join them. Lots of people from my neck of the woods (Southeast PA/South Jersey) wouldn't be interested in checking out a beach this far north, but I can assure you it's a beautiful place that's well worth the visit. After all, admittance here is probably far cheaper than beach tags elsewhere.

* One of the easiest and easily commutable weekend getaways from the city. Just get on the SeaStreak cruises on East 35th st or Pier 11. * It has 2 main beaches to explore - the fully clothed South Beach and the North Beach / Gunnison beach where clothing is optional. * As soon as you get off the cruise, you can get on the buses which transport you to and fro the beaches or rent a bike (only 25 bucks a day) and ride on the lengthy smooth bike trails.

Great sea shore area so close to NYC. Beaches and general park are open until 10pm but restrooms close at 6pm. The lighthouse is the oldest still in operation lighthouse in the USA ... Pretty cool & fun to climb up but note it closes at 4:30pm. Lots of old military stuff to visit & photograph, pretty cool. The thing I hate about this place are the people who visit and prefer to leave their garbage behind rather than carry it out and bring it home. Really??? Do these folks think the garbage fairy will pick it up? Great hiking just look out, there's TONS of poison ivy around this park!! Great biking trails... I'm bringing my bike next time.

Sandy Hook National Park is not far from my house and I often ride my bike there. However, once I pass through the gates it feels like I have entered a whole different place. Sandy Hook attracts all kinds of people. From nude bathers at Gunnison Beach to Tri-Athletes training. From Wind Surfers in the bay to Surf Fisherman in the Atlantic. Road bikers should take caution and stay away from the bike path that runs parallel to the main road. It is much to slippery for skinny tires and you run the risk of crashing into sun bathers crossing from the parking lots. The summer months find intense crowds but I find the park to be at its best in the late spring or early fall.

Great place to go see the sunset on the beach in NJ :) Tip: Get there a bit earlier to find the ideal spot for sunset viewing... there aren't signs

Beaches are always nice to go to! This place had a bay area which our puppy loved running around on. Those always make for precious moments :) Not much else to say-there's different areas to drive out to. We took a zipcar out here from Manhattan, didn't know you could ferry over here as well!

I have a soft spot for Sandy Hook. I have been coming here since I was born. We frequently came here for my fathers Navy Reunion get togethers they would have at the end of Sandy Hook in the picnic area towards the Coast Guard area. There is a ton of history to this area which really is worth learning about aside from just going to the beach for the day. Sandy Hook is owned by the government and most of it is managed by the National Park Service. The out of service U.S. Army post Fort Hancock is open to the public and has some really awesome things to see. Sandy Hook was our military's original Proving Ground for many years after the Civil War before the proving grounds were moved to Aberdeen, Maryland. It also became the site of a large Nike missile defense installation. Take one of the guided tours they offer, it's one of the very few that are still intact throughout the US. In the summer time, get here early if you are driving. The lots fill up quick and they close the gates. Then you have to park and walk. In the summer from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend the cost for vehicles is around $13 I believe (after a certain time is free) and after Labor Day weekend the park is free to enter.

A long gorgeous sand spit forms the barrier peninsula jutting from Jersey's north east corner into the Atlantic Ocean enclosing Sandy Hook Bay. A SeaStreak ferry will shuttle you there from Pier 11 (Wall Street) in 30min or 35th Street Pier in 1hr 15min for $46/RT. It's not always on time, but you'll eventually get there. Buss rides to and from North Beach, Gunnison (clothing optional), Beach D and E are included in the ticket and couldn't be more convenient. The ferry departs back to the city 4:30pm which is more than enough rays for a day. The water is not clear, still refreshing and a major relief from the muggy city. Area D has chairs ($10) and umbrellas ($20) for rent and several great food trucks. I agree with everybody on this forum regarding the lack of garbage cans. Most people left it in the bathrooms. Come on New Jersey! Who wants to carry trash home from the beach?

We love it here!! Great bike paths, beaches and historic places to explore.

This review is for fishing. Im giving this place 5 Stars because I caught the biggest fish in my life at this beach. you can catch nice size fish on the shorelines. The beach (fishing area) is so huge and so it is never crowded. Carry in, carry out trash policy. too bad for lazies who cant manage their own trash. ( i hope you get a ticket for leaving your trash behind) Help the environment, pick up your trash please! No restroom on the fishing spot where i go. Oh well, you are in nature. i guess you have to deal with it the natural way.

Taking the ferry will set you back $42pp round trip from Manhattan (we went via NY Waterway), but it's well worth it. You'll enjoy seeing the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Verrazano Bridge on your way to this clean, low-key beach peninsula. Free school-bus shuttles pick you up steps from the ferry, and friendly park rangers help you figure out where you're headed. North, Gunnison [yes, smirk, all you want, it's clothing-optional], or South [two sections, no real difference] are your choices. We opted for South Beach, which was mostly clean, family-oriented, and not super-crowded, even on a holiday weekend. (The parking lot, of course, was another story. Not my problem!) The surf was a little rough, which we enjoyed. Umbrella and chair rental are $10 apiece, and you need to leave your drivers license. Snack bar, bathrooms, outdoor showers. Bring a trash bag, as there are no trash cans anywhere, and you must take everything with you. Also grab some insect repellent. We saw a few horseflies, which I know from sad experience should be, ah, repelled at all costs.

It had been a long time since I went to Sandy Hook but I am glad we finally went back. My boyfriend is an avid fishermen and I am always up for a good day outdoors, so it works well. We also have a 3 year old chocolate lab making this beach perfect for us. They allow dogs on the bay side. Unfortunately they are not allowed on the main beaches. We got there around 6 am (fishing...) so the gates were still closed and there was no charge. We stayed around horseshoe cove for most of the day and had a lovely time, although we didn't catch anything. The only downside I could say is we brought home three ticks (that we know of). Next time we will be sure to bring the bug spray. Other then that we had an amazing day.

First time to New Jersey and I really loved this beach. It was clean and not as packed and the first beach I went to, which was like 30 min down the road. People were friendly and water was pretty clear. No boardwalk though which is probably why it wasn't as busy.

Very clean beach. It's better to be there at the early morning around 7:30, otherwise it's going to be too crowded.

This place is a fucking toilet, the wonderful sounds of planes coming into laguardia and radios mixed with the stench of the bay makes for a great atmosphere! Add to that that there are no hot girls and no break and you have a great day of sitting bored to death on the beach waiting to go home... for 10 bucks a car load your getting ripped off! Good for if you have a large family or are in this country illegally! If you want to go swimming get ready to have it hurt when you pee! And if your an anti aids advocate forget about it! Good news is if you need heroin you can find needles still full just floating by! By the way im being somewhat sarcastic in some ways... but in some ways not.

I grew up in Jersey- I learned how to drive at Sandy Hook in those big massive parking lots, taught my poor old def dog how to swim in her last years, even watched the Twin Towers from its beachy shore. must say I'm just really grateful dirty syringes, plastic bags and things aren't washing up on shore anymore. The 80's were no good to Sandy Hook. Now a days seems like its a great place to spend the day and take a few pictures.

I am mainly reviewing the visitors center as it says in the address here. We went in there yesterday to get maps to find out where to take sunset pictures. Sandy Hook is one of the few places that the sun sets into the water on the entire east coast. The gentleman who works at the visitors center is one of those rare people who LOVES his job with a passion! He knows literally everything about Sandy Hook and it's history. In fact I think he knows everything about everything! I came in for a map and went out an expert on American history. This gentleman has degrees in all kinds of things relating to archeology, anthropology, history and communications. The winds were so high and strong and the area so large that we actually didn't get to the beach. We went to the Light House and explored the area. It is 6 miles long and one mile wide. But it seems so much bigger. We have been going to the shore for years but always just skipped over Sandy Hook. I have to say this, since we didn't go to the actual beaches we did not get a real feel for the area. We stopped by a restaurant on the beach side that had music playing and right next to it were clean beach bathrooms with in door and out door showers. In my limited visit there I also have to say that it did not have the same feel as the rest of the Jersey shore. When I think of the Jersey shore I think of places like Spring Lake, Ocean Grove, and Ocean City. Sandy Hook is huge and I always stayed away because there are buses and ferries that take large groups of people there. I assumed it would be crowded but there was hardly anybody there maybe due to the high winds. It is something different to explore.

I totally recommend to visit Sandy Hook, as it's a fantastic way of spending a Saturday or Sunday, you can just chill at the beach and after that you can spend some time walking through all the beautiful area, visit the lighthouse, the missiles, etc. You have also the option to rent a bike and explore everything by bike. And you have plenty of beaches there to choose. If you go there definitely you have to go for spending the whole day.

The beach has so much to offer. The beaches are well maitained and clean. You'll have rude people that don't know the carry in carry out rule. So be aware of the clutter of garbage. The park does not offer garbage cans for that reason. People will abuse the cans. The park rangers are so helpful and friendly. I really appreciated their help with the handicap wheel chair. I will be back soon!

The gateway area is nice and has a lighthouse along with campsites and places to picnic. There are old houses from the time that the area was a military base. The beaches at Sandy Hook are nice and an easy trip from Manhattan via the ferry.

It's a pretty place and the beaches are wide and... sandy. Worth a trip once a year. But otherwise, it faces the same water as the other "near-to-NYC" beaches such as Coney, Brighton, Rockaway, etc. In other words: - cold - murky (not nice for snorkeling) - not really swim friendly - not really surf friendly In a way it's nice that the area is not commercialized. But on the flip side there's no decent food and the concession stand only sold Coors Light, which pretty much means no drinking (bring your own). At a round-trip cost of $45 to get there, I'm not sure if it's worth the premium versus $2.50 for the A train to Rockaway.

We drive from Newburgh, NY to this beach. That's how good/fun it is. Gunnison Beach ;)

Sandy Hook is a beautiful beach...and yes it's $10 to park during the day, but free after 4pm =) It's a great venue for picnics...there are a few inlets (concrete walkway/boardwalk)...was just there this past weekend. Now...the traffic is a little ridiculous!!! You can pretty much drive right in...depending on when you get there, but leaving...there's a LONG LINE (at least from what I witnessed) from 4pm...til nearly 8pm. I left at 8pm...and was sitting in the line for nearly 1.25 hours! In either case, it's definitely a great compromise...from the Carribean (GORGEOUS beaches) to Orchard Beach (with all the rocks and broken glass!) =P

Are there better beaches, with cleaner water, and more space? Obviously. Of course. But for a beach you can get to with a 35 minute ferry from Wall Street, this was great.* Bring a cooler with your own food and drinks - the concessions are nothing to write home about. Otherwise, there are convenient chair and umbrella rentals ($10 each a day - you must leave your driver's license), the water is pleasantly cool and if you expend a little effort scouting around, the beaches are wide enough to find a little patch all your own. * We took the Sea-Streak ferry, which also goes to E. 35th Street, for $45 a person round-trip (look out for coupons that get you to Sandy Hook and back for $30). There is at least one other company running ferries for about the same price.