VISITOR INFORMATIONLOCATIONMonmouth County, New Jersey. GETTING THEREFerry: In summer, take Seastreak Ferry from Manhattan to Fort Hancock and then the free shuttle bus to North Beach, Gunnison Beach or Beach Area E. Off-season, take Seastreak's daily commuter ferry to nearby Atlantic Highlands, NJ. Get map & directions to the ferry departure point at Pier 11 or E. 35th St. Car: Get map & directions to Sandy Hook by car. Public Transit: Take NJ Transit for transit within NJ. Bus 834 to Highlands drops off near park entrance. NJT's North Jersey Coast train line to Red Bank links to Bus 834. Take Academy Lines for bus from NYC to Highlands. HOURSOpen daily, dawn-dusk. ACCESSIBILITYThe Sandy Hook Visitor Center, Lighthouse Keepers' Quarters and Barn, Multi-Use Pathway, and restrooms at all six beach centers are wheelchair accessible. Beach wheelchairs are available at the Visitor Center. All parking lots have handicapped spaces. Get more information. PERMITSPETSCONTACT
Gateway NRA (NPS), 732-872-5970 NEARBY ATTRACTIONS |
Sandy HookA barrier beach peninsula at the northern tip of the Jersey shoreSandy Hook—part of Gateway National Recreation Area—is a 2,044-acre barrier beach peninsula at the northern tip of the New Jersey shore. This perennially popular destination is just a quick trip by car or ferry from Manhattan or inland New Jersey and offers pristine beaches, stunning views of the harbor and the New York skyline, as well as historical landmarks including Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Sandy Hook comes alive during the summer and is always a busy weekend destination, offering a wide range of activities that highlight nature, history, and outdoor recreation. With seven beaches open to the public, the peninsula has room for everyone, from sunbathers to fisherman. Strong swimmers can ride the ocean waves or try their hand at windsurfing, canoeing or kayaking in the bay while others soak up the rays on the beach. Alternatively, the beach is a beautiful place to walk and observe shore birds and other wild marine species. In the evening, the beach offers a prime spot to see the lights of New York Harbor. Special evening programming includes summer beach concerts hosted by the Sandy Hook Foundation and family campfires with national park rangers. Sandy Hook is also a wonderful destination for nature enthusiasts. A network of scenic hiking and multiuse trails in the famous Holly Forest provides wonderful opportunities for visitors to see wildlife. Occasional ranger-led night hikes through the forest also give the adventurous an exciting sensory experience. Sandy Hook is not just a refuge for urbanites, but is also an oasis for many varieties of flora and fauna that thrive on the site's unique ecology. Horseshoe crabs and other critters are the focus of many educational hands-on park programs for both children and adults, but for many, the site's real stars are the osprey and piping plovers that nest in Sandy Hook's carefully maintained salt marshes. The sensitive nesting habitats of these unique birds are protected by the National Park Service and other groups. Visitors can take part in a variety of birding activities, including tours led by local bird experts. With over 300 species seen at Sandy Hook, visitors are sure to spot some interesting feathered residents. For history buffs, Sandy Hook offers the historic district of Fort Hancock, with gun batteries and military structures dating from 1895 and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operated lighthouse in the United States. Ranger-led tours of the lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters are available periodically. |
Things to Do
Special Events This MonthHolly Forest Walk 2/5, 3:30pm, Visitor Center Enjoy a guided wintertime walk through the Hook's maritime holly forest. Birding for Beginners 2/12, 8am-12pm, Parking Area B If you've never gone bird watching, this morning session will show you the tricks of the trade and take you out into the field to spot some of Sandy Hook's feathered residents. Searching for Seals in the Surf 2/18, 2-3:30pm, Visitor Center Hike out to the beach with a ranger to try and see harbor seals that winter in New York's waters. Winter Night Prowl 2/25, 6-7:30pm, Visitor Center Pack your flashlight for this nighttime tour of the holly forest. Special ProgramsAnnual events include the summer Sandy Hook Beach Concert Series, Fort Hancock Day, and the All-Women Lifeguard Tournament. Other ActivitiesHistory, swimming, windsurfing, surfing, fishing, strolling, boating, hiking, bird watching, biking and picnicking.
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