With seven miles of pristine beaches, a sparkling bay, dedicated bike paths, peaceful hiking trails, and the oldest operating lighthouse in America, Sandy Hook, NJ, is a must-visit for anyone visiting the shore. Its unique location—nestled between Sandy Hook Bay and the New York/New Jersey Bight—gives this popular national park a distinct ecosystem, featuring a beach and a maritime forest populated by a wide range of wildlife. Plus, the New York City views from the shoreline (a major wow on a clear day) and one of the few free beaches in New Jersey make Sandy Hook one of our favorite places in the Garden State. Read on for more on what to do on a day trip to Sandy Hook and what you need to know before you go. (Featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

Sandy Hook: An NJ Attraction

Catch some rays with NYC views

Sure, Sandy Hook has incredible views from its beaches, but what really brings people here are the miles of unspoiled landscape and natural surroundings. The golden beaches (some with lifeguards) are on the ocean, with a few small beaches by the bay, and allow swimming, jet skiing, parasailing, fishing, or boating. And while you won’t have to pay to enter any of the beaches in Sandy Hook, you will have to pay for parking. You can also bring a picnic or stop by one of the food trucks that come during the season. 

Bike or hike the trails

Got a family that likes to hit the trails? Sandy Hook has something for everyone, especially for biking and hiking. There are bike rentals available near the ferry dock, and you can take them on the scenic Multi-Use Pathway (MUP), which starts at the park entrance and ends in Fort Hancock (a former defense site and military installation dating to the late 1800s). The trail leads through a shady holly forest and along the salt marsh near the beach and historical sites, including the two Nike missile sites. If two wheels aren’t your family’s speed, there are hiking trails starting at the Sandy Hook Visitor Center and at Area M near Nine Gun Battery, where there’s also an observation tower kids, young and old, can climb.  

Climb the oldest operating lighthouse

Just one mile from the tip of Sandy Hook, the 250-year-old Sandy Hook Lighthouse stands tall and is the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. It was initially built to prevent shipwrecks in the area, and now, on a clear night, the lighthouse’s light can be seen from up to 19 miles away. Tours inside the lighthouse are first-come, first-served, and you can learn about this imposing and historic beacon at the Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarters and Visitor Center.  

Explore nature

Here’s a cool fact—Sandy Hook has the largest holly forest in the northeastern United States. What makes this even more interesting is the wildlife, where Diamondback terrapins, Eastern Gray Tree Frogs, Tree Swallows (look for their shiny blue tops), and even Harbor Seals call this part of Sandy Hook home. Got any bird lovers in the family? Sandy Hook is the place to see them, with over 300 bird species populating the area, including rare ones like the Black Skimmer, Least Tern, and the endangered nesting Piping Plovers. And as you explore, you’ll come across salt marshes and rare plants like the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. Kids will want to pick up a Sandy Hook Junior Ranger Booklet at the Visitor Center, where they can get a map, answer questions, or draw themselves as a Junior Ranger and collect a badge as a keepsake.  

FAQs

How do I know which lots are open?

When entering Sandy Hook, you can see a sign at the entrance indicating which lots are open, or ask a ranger. Open lots have food trucks, beach and umbrella rentals, public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms.

Do I need a beach badge or parking pass for Sandy Hook?

The beaches don’t require a badge, but parking is available on a per-vehicle basis from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. The Sandy Hook Unit is open from 6 AM, with parking charges starting at 8 AM. For most vehicles, beach parking is $20 per day or $100 per season. Tip: Every Kid Outdoors pass holders will receive free parking. The remaining 2026 National Park Free Entrance days are May 25, June 14, July 3-5, August 25, September 17, October 27, and November 11. Sandy Hook parking is a cashless operation—all booths only accept credit cards or cashless payments. Online sales are seasonal, and daily parking permits are available through recreation.gov; however, they do not guarantee a specific parking spot. You can also buy seasonal or daily permits in person at the entrance booth. Once you enter the parking lot, you may stay as long as you want; the last car must leave by 9 PM.

Are there other ways to get to Sandy Hook without a car?

Yes, the Seastreak Ferry makes stops at Sandy Hook in the summer.

Are there lifeguards at the beaches?

Yes, lifeguards are on duty from 10 AM to 6 PM at oceanside beaches from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Where can I eat?

If you get hungry, enjoy a picnic on the beach, visit a mobile food vendor during the summer months, or stop in McFly’s on the Hook near the lighthouse for a treat like hot dogs, frozen lemonade, or milkshakes.

Can I stay overnight at Sandy Hook?

If you want to stay overnight, a few historic homes are available to rent in the Officers’ Row. Camping is also available, open from May 9 to July 13, 2025.

For more information about Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area, check out its website, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area
128 South Hartshorne Drive
Highlands, NJ 07732

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