The only thing keeping this at 4 stars is that they allow bad behavior on occasion-lots of people littering, parking where they shouldn't, illegal drinking, etc. Thank God we're now in 'local summer', so the crowds lessen. Otherwise this park is a gem! read more

Drive through a lot here every winter and spring it's beautiful before summer season gets packed up

Gateway/Sandy Hook was the site of my first official hike of the season this past weekend. My chum and I came here late Sunday morning when it was still pretty dreary/rainy, but by the halfway point the sun was out and the walk back was very pleasant and toasty. For context, we did a 6.4-mile hike starting from the historic Sandy Hook Visitors Center between Lots D and E, moseying north along the Old Dune Trail, then onto the side of Atlantic Drive up to the concession area by Gunnison Beach, making a left over to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, then to the officers' quarters at Fort Hancock, before turning south on a multi-use path on the western side of the peninsula back to the starting point. I'd say it took about three hours in total, and we didn't really stop anywhere for more than a few quick photo ops. The portion of the Old Dune Trail that's closer to the beach and that old Visitors Center really needs some upgrades/better markers. We temporarily lost our way a bunch of times until we got to the clearly defined section by the bunker/fishing access road. It really wouldn't take a lot to fix that - there are tons (arguably too many) kiosks with outdated information, so replacing them with a few additional signs, even a "you are here" map would have been great. The abandoned Cold War-era military installations/equipment is pretty spooky and definitely lends something to the atmosphere. It's not every day that you're walking on the beach and find a concrete bunker or missile display just looming on the horizon. Unfortunately it seemed a little too timely based on world events, but that's not Sandy Hook's fault. I thought the adventure dramatically improved once we started hiking a little more inland. The Old Dune Trail at that point becomes sort of a combo of a sandy and woodsy path - it reminded me of that iconic shot from Miller's Crossing (arguably the best of several gangster movies from 1990). There's a TON of litter all over the place, which is another area that Sandy Hook could fix relatively easily. My chum observed that this was likely due to their policy of trash in, trash out, but a few garbage cans dotting the landscape would have alleviated this issue to some degree - not all of us apparently are mature enough to just shove our protein bar wrapper into our backpacks. Anyway. I'd heard of the infamous Gunnison Beach before, the only public nude beach in the state. If you're mildly curious and also not a pervert, early March is when you should take a gander. If there were any nudists on the premises, they were bundled up on the day we were there. The concession area is pretty well maintained, and it's right by a military/artillery display you can climb up to examine. Pretty cool. As an aside, both of us were very pleased by the bathroom options - clean port-a-potties were frequent/easy to find, and my chum was thrilled that each of them had an ample supply of toilet paper at the ready. There were also actual restrooms at the parking lots and at Gunnison; hikes don't get much more bathroom-friendly than this. Most of the official facilities were closed, either due to seasonal restrictions or COVID, so we couldn't go to the newer visitors center or into the historic lighthouse, but there was still plenty to look at in that area. A lot of the buildings in Fort Hancock are still being used by marine biologists, but there's something almost gothic about some of these officers' quarters that are now shuttered and just dotting the landscape. Very unique area. The wildlife sightings were strong - I've attached an action shot of an exquisite fox with a plush red coat. We also saw a lot of uppity-looking deer who didn't seem particularly pleased to no longer have the area to themselves; I imagine in the wintertime they pretty much have the run of the place. They're in for a rude awakening in the coming months. On the domestic side, the pooches were not as prevalent as one would hope, likely due to the inclement morning weather, but we did see a few good specimens. I wouldn't characterize this necessarily as a challenging hike; the terrain is relatively flat with the exception of a few dunes, but you can definitely get some mileage on your haunches if you choose. A solid start to the season. read more

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Definitely recommend the season pass which is $100. Go as many times as you like, go early before 8am and enjoy clean beaches and nice ppl. But for the love of god, avoid the icecreams trucks, they charge $10 for a soft icecream. Which are worth $4. Stay away from those parasites read more

I'm still new to camping but went with a group of friends who are more seasoned and there were a lot of mixed feelings about our experience. Let me first say Sandy Hook is gorgeous. The multi-use bike and pedestrian path gives you beautiful views of both sides of the peninsula, including views of the ocean, the bay, rock formations, dense foliage, historic military sites and homes, a lighthouse, and some wildlife. There are lot of great activities available for free - ranger led canoe and kayaking, as well as yoga on the beach, and tours of the historic sites. You can also rent kayaks, paddle boards, bikes, and there are places to fish as well. The constant proximity to the beach makes this an excellent option for those who want to make a weekend out of tanning and swimming - there is a LOT to do. This year a lot of new rules were added, at least three people in our group got tickets for car and parking related issues. Speeding has been a major issue, and with the area being interspersed with pedestrian crosswalks enforcement is strict. Right after paying at the ranger station entryway, the speed limit drops considerably, to as low as 15mph in places. Camping sites have tent limits, tent occupant limits, AND vehicle limits. We maxed out our parking permit passes before all our sites were full because not everyone sharing a tent or a site came in their own vehicle, and we were not allowed to use the overflow parking lots despite there being amble space in them. My guess is they are trying to keep the sites from being overcrowded but this created a lot of confusion and major problems for people who made the trip out there only to be turned away. Additionally, beach parking passes are separate from camping parking passes. Even if you buy the beach pass, moving your car from the camping lot means you risk losing your space and have to rely on an overflow lot that might not be close by. You can walk instead, but some of the beaches are quite far if you're planning on bringing a cooler and umbrella - a 30 minute walk. So a lot of time is spent on negotiating with rangers and figuring out logistics instead of connecting with your surroundings. The porta johns are not serviced very well. None had soap, and one was leaking human waste. The flush bathrooms were better but do not include showers. The only showers are the standard ones at the beach sites. Our campsite did have potable water spigots - half worked. The campsites themselves are overgrown with tall grass. There are LOTS of biting black flies and they freakin hurt. Bring whatever you've got in your arsenal to combat them. The raccoons are brazen and master thieves. They managed to get one of our coolers open and stole an entire steak. Another night they *unzipped* a secure trash container and got garbage everywhere. They'll come within about a yard of you before night has fully fallen, they don't care. Deer will also cross the roads and enter into campsites, we got to see some fairly up close. There are shaded structures and picnic tables, as well as fire rings, at each camp site. Ice is sold for $3 at the ranger stations, and some small wagons are available for transporting your gear, but if you have your own you should bring it. Alcohol, smoking, and vaping were all outlawed this year. The nude beach (Gunnison) has become an openly creepy and dangerous place, with new rules being put into place there to try and reign in the bad behavior. There are more people who want to come here than there is space - driving out at 11:30am on a Sunday, traffic was at a standstill across the bridge, backed up into the businesses and houses on Navesink Avenue. Parking lots do fill up and at a certain point people get turned away. Decent crowds start forming on the beaches around 8/9am. If you're coming on a weekend just for a day at the beach, it's not a bad idea to plan on arriving at 7 or 8am. The beaches have a lot of sediment, walking out to them and walking into the water can be painful on bare feet. Lots of people made use of water shoes. The bay side has crab and fish corpses that wash up along with the kelp. The water is not the cleanest, and the surf on the beach side can be rough at times. My general advice is to carpool in early on a weekday, and bring bikes and wagons that you can use to move around the area with so you don't risk losing your parking spot. Bring everything you need with you for that same reason - also so you don't get stuck in traffic trying to get in and out on that single road. Whenever you're coming, come early. And if a shower is a must, bring a portable one. read more

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When I first moved to New Jersey from Long Island, New York... I cannot believe that I had to travel more than an hour to get to a beach. Needless to say I absolutely fell in love with these bitches and this park since day one. The beaches are clean, there's plenty of parking, tons of wildlife, close proximity to restaurants and shopping, and they offer a reasonable season pass. One of my favorite parts about the area it's the fact that you can still see New York City from the shore of the beaches. Did I mention amazing wildlife everywhere you go read more

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This park is super nice, lots of cars and parking lots for the beaches. I would highly recommend it

We went bike riding on such a beautiful Day ! The temp was in the high 70's and sun was shining ! Perfect bike trail for me! I'm a beginner when it comes to bike trails so I definitely don't want to go mountain bike riding! I love going down hills but the other side of that coin is making it to the top! Not here for the most part the inclines were at the most 5% !! Yesss! I can handle that no problem! I absolutely loved the areas they had "to fix your bike" just Incase you caught a flat tire & has just about all tools for various size bikes & chains, a manual pump and hanging post so you can work on it at your level & without back pain! During Season you do have to pay for parking 2hich Memorial Day ends all is free ! Gorgeous place to enjoy while in NJ read more

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A nude escape. This was my first experience at a clothing optional beach and I had a great time. The beach is large, clean and the skyline of New York is beautiful. Things to keep in mind. Parking is a bit far away so if you have coolers etc it would be a great idea to drop everything off with one person closer to the entrance and then park and walk back. The walk from the entrance to the actual beach is about 15 minutes so if you have even the slightest desire to use the restroom upon arriving I'd suggest using it before heading to the beach. Lastly, there are limited food options so I'd suggest snacks and drinks and don't forget to take out all of the trash you bring in!! read more

Gateway National Recreation Area - The view! - Parks Near Me - Highlands, New Jersey

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I used to really like this place and couldn't wait to visit when I moved back to New Jersey. I had purchased a National Park Pass for my drive across the country figuring it would work at Gateway...I was wrong. I arrived today to be told that the pass does not apply to Gateway because they do not charge an "entrance fee", they charge $15 for "parking". Pretty smooth scam to get around a National Pass really. You almost have to applaud that kind of scumbaggery. So yea, time to spread the word about the kind of garbage this place pulls to family and friends. Other beaches are nicer and cheaper, it was just nice that this beach is closer and allows dogs on one side. read more

Part of Sandy Hook, this is a beautiful beach area just south of New York City. You can see some wonderful views on a clear day, enjoy the water though it can be cold even in the heat of summer. read more

Beautiful view. Well kept grounds. Awesome staff!This is a great area to go to for a long, scenic walk.

Be sure to have DEET repellent with you, beach is full of biting flies and sand fleas.

Beach. I never go to the beach here on the East Coast, where the ocean is an angry color and the waves tend to mug you if you're not careful. But a pushy colleague harangued me into taking a day off during the week and trekking out to Jerz to go here. Sandy Hook beach. A gaggle of girls we were, trooping out on the warm sand, pleading with the sky to open up and warm us up some more. And the heavens complied, sneakily burning some, avoiding some and also toasting some to a lovely shade of deep golden brown (I was lucky to fall into the latter category and banish the sickly yellow from my gams). The water was warm, if maniacal. I lost a contact and my hair clip (and nearly my bathing suit top, but luckily I left the water, well was propelled forcibly by the waves rather, before I could flash the nearby kiddies). Like with all things that are good, there's not much else to say except it was a perfect beach day. read more

Gateway National recreation area is a 1,665 acre barrier beach peninsula at the northern tip of the New Jersey Shore. The park includes seven miles of ocean beaches, salt marshes, hiking trails and a maritime holly forest. Food concessions are available. Alcohol is allowed on this Federal park, unlike most New Jersey beaches. Fort Hancock Museum, in the former post guardhouse. Daily 1PM-5PM. Sandy Hook Lighthouse the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in America (1764). Gunnison Beach - A clothing optional beach. Beach activities: swimming, sailing, surfing and fishing. Learning about ecosystems and their relationship to city life. Bird watching, beach clean-ups and nature talks. Hiking and biking. Touring historic military sites. Gardening, photography and poetry readings. Opera, symphony, and contemporary music and cultural festivals. Organized athletics: soccer, football, baseball, tennis and cricket. The winds were very strong when we went and there was so much to do and see we didn't get to actually check out any of the beaches. We did however see wind surfers in the bay and it seemed to be cooler in temperature and windier than most water areas we have been to. It was practically empty maybe due to the winds and hurricane brewing and I was shocked as to how empty it was since my reason for avoiding it before is I thought it would be overly crowded due to the buses and ferries from New York and other areas. It doesn't feel like the rest of the Jersey shore. That is not good or bad just an observation. I would like to go to check it out next summer when it is warm. There is a lot of wild life here. We went for a very informative educational session at the visitors center and there were signs indicating wild life. I asked if there were raccoons since I am terrified of them. He informed me that there were dozens of raccoons and they were friendly because people feed them. He was not aware of the raccoon problem in NYC or that they are rabid or large here in the city. I wasn't aware that there were actually raccoons that were small and friendly and not rabid so I learned something about my irrational fear. But if you tell me Jersey has friendly bed bugs that is where I draw the line! read more

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So much to do and it's a great place to explore any season. From hiking, biking, fishing, relaxing on the beach, or soaking up some sun and history, this is the place to go. $15 a car load or $75 for a season pass (Memorial Day thru Labor Day). We always get the season pass because it's worth it if you go more than 6 times, which is easy for us to do. From bayside to oceanside, there's something for everyone. read more

This is one of my favorite places. In the summer, beaches are ample and you pay by the car. The State has now attempted to fix the traffic problem and there is no more draw bridge, so we shall see this season how that turns out. There are signs from the GSP telling you if Sandy is closed. I like coming not in season too. On a really nice day, all of Jersey, NY and Atlantic Ocean in one view. It's really amazing. This place came a long way and is much cleaner. The population is changing as well. I think this is a very iconic Jersey location. I would recommend anyone visit. read more

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It is a less than an hour drive for me. So It is perfect for day trips. The parking fee is reasonable and allowing you to bring your own food and drink is a real plus. The beaches are plentiful and some for different people desires (nude) and lifestyles. The walking and biking paths are great, the lighthouse is historic and the armaments are from a time gone by. It is one of my favorite places to go for a day of sunbathing, reading, relaxing, feeling those cool oceans breezes. I am going to swear you to secrecy "don't tell anyone" that a wonderfully day could only be an hour away read more

Sandy Hook beach was a nice drive from Hoboken, closer than many other shore towns down the Parkway and you don't have to pay to get on, just to park your car (which is only $10). There are a handful of different beaches you can get to with park access, livening up the experience. The beaches are clean, not many bugs - it serves its purpose. Lots of great restaurants in the Highlands to get your seafood on after a long day on the beach. What did bother me was there are NO garbage cans anywhere on the beaches. If you bring food or drinks, you have to go off the beach to dispose of it. If you're going to have a sign when you step on the beach instructing beachgoers to keep it clean and not dump their trash, provide receptacles! read more

A beautiful, long, quiet, clean beach. It is a national park and charges only $10 a carload. One section is nude. Great biking and hiking trails. Food and bathroom options are convenient, but not exactly lavish. The northernmost beach on the shore, so it can save you some driving--Exit 117--with lots of good lunch, and dinner options on the way to and from the Parkway. Not usually crowded on weekdays--and jammed, like the rest of the shore, on weekends. Watch for signs on parkway notifying when the lot is full. Great for fishing and kite flying. read more

Gateway National Recreation Area is a pretty decent park, the Sandy Hook area in the atlantic highlands area of new jersey. It's really worth seeing If youre in the area. there is a cool lighthouse and some of 1800's barracks for you to check out. there's a (boring) guided tour that takes you through some buildings and so forth. otherwise you can stroll around. you go out and climb on top of one of the batteries and you can get a really great view of new york city. read more

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So much to do here! Plenty of beach space to lounge on, tide pools and tidal marshes to explore, great fishing, a lighthouse and decommissioned fort with running/ biking trails, this is really a great place to spend time, whatever you're into. There are also some fantastic views and photo ops available- we did our engagement pictures here and they came out beautifully. Great view of New York Harbor, Coney Island, Staten Island, and planes taking off from JFK. All in all, a very cool place. read more

This place is a great get away for New Yorkers. You can take a ferry from the east side of Manhattan and be there in 30 minutes and it will transport you to another world. With numerous beautiful beaches (including a nude one if you are so inclined), bike trails, and a beach bar that makes you feel like you are in the Caribbean and not New Jersey. It is the Island get away that lets you be back in the city by dinner feeling refreshed and renewed. Also full of wonderful history and nature this is one of my favorite escapes from the city. read more

Drove 2 hours including 45 minutes for last mile to get to gate where rangers were turning people around due to "park closed lots full" at 1 PM in the afternoon. Not even letting one in for one out. Driving out there were still at least an hour of lines of cars lined up like lemmings in shiny metal boxes unknowingly waiting to get into the "closed" park. A hassle most like everything in this overcrowded area. Why bother. read more

Great beach and biking trials. During summer time there are food trucks at the various beaches. If you are biking drive to the Fort and park for free= read more

A great set of beaches oceanside and bayside, nice trails for walking, and for biking. Lots of room for fishermen too. Not too crazy about the condition of the restrooms, but I don't know what can be done about that with the pressure of all the visitors. Nice grassy areas at the old fort for picnics. Just a really nice beach experience. read more

beautiful and peaceful place to spend time with the family!! you can swim, grill, and rent a bike!! so much to do here!! i think they charged $10 per car but totally worth every penny!! read more

This is one of our favorite places on the East Coast. Sandy Hook is a wonderful park. We visit the nude beach 2-3 times per year from Maryland. Last year we rented a little house for a week in Highlands, a town just outside the park. Highlands has great bars and restaurants, all within walking distance from the cottages. There is also a high speed ferry nearby with service into New York. read more