Every year, over one million people visit Island Beach State Park, a barrier island teeming with wildlife, white sandy beaches, and plenty of fishing spots. The park only allows 2,000 cars to enter daily, and my family is fortunate enough to say we’ve been among those who have been there. In fact, we felt like we had won the lottery when they took our ticket and waved us in. The drive alone is worth it—the peninsula is split by the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay with a scenic backdrop of maritime plants, seagulls swooping overhead, and terrapin crossing signs. We spent the day exploring the wide open beaches and trails, along with educational opportunities for the whole family, including New Jersey’s largest osprey colony. Read on to get details on what to know before you head down to this beautiful and natural stretch of sand at Island Beach State Park, one of our favorite beaches in NJ. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
Island Beach State Park, an affordable day of family fun in NJ
Discover untouched history
One of the first noticeable differences between Island Beach State Park and other beaches in New Jersey is that it immediately feels like you are someplace special. We rolled down our windows and drove past greenery, wildlife, and 10 miles of coastal dunes almost untouched since Henry Hudson first saw them in 1609. The 3000-acre park is one of the last places in the US with a barrier island ecosystem and one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the North Atlantic coast. Along the ride, we saw a shack made of driftwood from the 1900s still standing after Hurricane Sandy and two Coast Guard stations dating back to the turn of the century. Bonus: You can even see Barnegat Lighthouse State Park from the southern end if you go to the off-road fishing area.
Swim and surf at Island Beach State Park
As we drove, we passed small parking lots with trails to the beach and bay. We approached the designated swimming area with lifeguards, parked, grabbed our beach gear, and headed to the beach. It was a short walk from the parking lot to paradise, and as we walked up, we noticed all of the maritime plants and flowers. Along the way, we passed bathhouse pavilions, which included changing areas, a first aid station, and concessions (we took note of this for later use when we needed facilities). We went uphill on the boardwalk path to the beach and found a spot to set up on the velvety smooth sand. The kids were thrilled to play in the silky powder (yes, it was that soft), and it gave me peace of mind that during the season, the swimming beach has lifeguards trained in ocean lifesaving and first aid techniques. Surfers can surf south of the swimming beaches, and windsurfing is allowed in the marked areas of the ocean beach at the southern end of the designated swimming area.
Birds, Bikes, and Boats at Island Beach State Park
When we were ready to explore, we learned that the Barnegat Bay side of this Berkley Township State Park is full of wildlife, including New Jersey’s largest osprey colony, which you can visit by guided canoe tours through the Sedge Islands. Throughout the park, expect to see peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and migrating songbirds out and about. The area also has over 400 identified plants, including the state’s largest expanses of beach heather plants. When we arrived, we saw lots of people biking along the single-lane biking trail on the road through the state park. Beyond biking, you can also go boating thanks to Barnegat Bay access, fishing, waterfowl hunting (in Sedge Islands only), canoeing, sailboarding, and scuba diving.
Learning about Island Beach State Park
The beach is beautiful, but I was even more thrilled when I discovered that my kids could learn about nature, too—the Island Beach Nature Program partners with ReClam the Bay for their Shellfish Gardening 101 class. Naturalists are also frequently available under the pavilion by the beach to answer questions, and they give a Touch Tank Talk or travel out to the bay for seining. There are also various events that kids can sign up for, and my kids decided to try the beginner surf fishing clinic. Other programs include the Barrier Island Ecology Field Trip, Island Beach State Park’s Judge’s Shack History Hike, or the Sunset Paddle, to name a few.
What to know before you go
Island Beach State Park is open from dawn to dusk, and it frequently reaches capacity, so to avoid disappointment, make sure to check that the state park is still open close to your arrival. Entrance fees are per vehicle from Memorial Day to Labor Day—$6 on weekdays for NJ residents and $12 if you are from out of state and it’s $10 on weekends and holidays for NJ residents and $20 for non-residents, the off-season daily fee is $5 for NJ residents and $10 for non-residents. Once you enter, the attendant will tell you which swimming area is open and where you can park. There are also trails and parking areas near the beach without lifeguards, though swimming is prohibited. For fishing, kayaking, biking, and wildlife viewing, view the map for the specific areas. Strollers and wheelchairs can go on the Fisherman’s Walkway, a boardwalk providing access to the ocean and bay at Parking Area 7. The rest of the area is challenging to navigate with strollers and wheelchairs. Since Island Beach State Park is a barrier island, it can get windy, which we experienced the day we were there, so come prepared. The beach complex contains a changing area, restrooms, a first-aid station, and a concession with refreshments and beach supplies. If you are there to fish, access to fishing is available 24 hours a day, and all anglers 16 and older must register for the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. A Mobile Sport Fishing Vehicle permit is required to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles on the fishing beaches. No cars are allowed North of the Gilikins entrance. Horseback riding is also permitted in the park from October 1-April 30.
For more information about Island Beach State Park, check out its website, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
Island Beach State Park
2401 Central Ave.
Seaside Park, NJ 08752
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