National park · United States
Sandy HookSandy Hook Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area
Go for a half day by car or the seasonal ferry: pay the summer vehicle fee at the gate, ride the multi-use path to the lighthouse and Gunnison Beach, and arrive before 10:00 on summer weekends to get a parking spot.Go for a half day by car or the seasonal ferry: pay the summer vehicle fee at the gate, ride the multi-use path to the lighthouse and Gunnison Beach, and arrive before 10:00 AM on summer weekends to get a parking spot.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
approximate
Established
1974
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
- Roughly 2,400 acres (about 9.7 km²) of the spit; figures vary by source and boundary.
- Established
- 1974
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Sandy Hook is a 10 km sand spit at the mouth of New York Harbor, run by the National Park Service as one of three units of Gateway National Recreation Area. The ocean side is surf beach; the bay side is flat water for windsurfing and kayaking; a paved multi-use path runs most of its length past the oldest working lighthouse in the United States and the old Fort Hancock army buildings. It is the closest ocean beach to Manhattan that you can reach without a car, via a seasonal ferry from Pier 11 and East 34th Street.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1974.
Size and age
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²) · national park since 1974
Roughly 2,400 acres (about 9.7 km²) of the spit; figures vary by source and boundary.
Why go
- An ocean beach and a calm bay beach on the same 10 km (6.2 mi) spit, 90 minutes from Manhattan.An ocean beach and a calm bay beach on the same 6.2 mi (10 km) spit, 90 minutes from Manhattan.
- The Sandy Hook Lighthouse has been working since 1764 — the oldest operating lighthouse in the country.
- A flat, paved multi-use path for bikes, skates and strollers, with almost no traffic.
- Fort Hancock's gun batteries and barracks give the beach day a history stop.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, windy; most facilities closed
- FebCold; beach walking only
- MarCool, quiet; some closures
- AprMild; good for biking and walking
- MayWarm, uncrowded before Memorial Day
- JunWarm sea; weekends busy
- JulHot and packed; parking fills by mid-morning
- AugPeak crowds and heat
- SepWarm sea, thinner crowds after Labor Day
- OctClear, dry; best biking weather
- NovCool, quiet; bird migration
- DecCold; check what is open
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor seals off the bay shoreDec–Apr · Seen from a distance in cold months; do not approach. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Spring migration: warblers, shorebirds, ospreysApr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Autumn migration and raptorsSep–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Horseshoe crabs on the bay shoreMay–Jun · Spawning season; do not move or take them. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From New York City
Seastreak ferry from Pier 11 or East 34th Street to the park dock, then walk or take the shuttle bus.
45–60 min
Open the page →
From Monmouth County
Garden State Parkway to Exit 117, then Route 36 east for about 19 km (12 mi) to the entrance.Garden State Parkway to Exit 117, then Route 36 east for about 12 mi (19 km) to the entrance.
30–45 min
Open the page →
From Newark Liberty International Airport
Rental car via the Garden State Parkway south, then Route 36 east.
1–1.5 h
From Highlands
Short drive or seasonal shuttle over the bridge at the south end of the Hook.
10 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| North Beach and the lighthouse | The tip of the spit, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the old keeper's quarters and the ocean beach next to it. | Open; lighthouse tours seasonal. |
| Fort Hancock | Historic army post: barracks, gun batteries, chapel and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground history. | Open on foot or bike; some buildings closed. |
| Gunnison Beach | The clothing-optional ocean beach, the largest of its kind on the US east coast. | Open; separate parking lot. |
| Bay side and Spermaceti Cove | Flat water for windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding; visitor centre and trails at Spermaceti Cove. | Open; launch areas signed. |
Sketch map
- 1Park entrance station · Gate≈40.430, -73.995Map ↗
- 2Sandy Hook Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈40.462, -74.002Map ↗
- 3Fort Hancock · Village≈40.464, -74.000Map ↗
- 4Gunnison Beach · Beach≈40.460, -73.996Map ↗
- 5Spermaceti Cove visitor area · Headquarters≈40.440, -73.990Map ↗
- 6Ferry dock · Ranger station≈40.470, -74.005Map ↗
- 7Highlands · Town≈40.397, -73.982Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the spit, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry, summer season | US$20–25 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; charged at the gate in season, motorcycle and senior rates lower. |
| Season pass | US$75–100 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; pays off after about four summer visits. |
| Walk-in or bike entry | Free | person | No fee for people arriving on foot or by bike. |
| Seastreak ferry from Manhattan | US$45–55 | person | 2026 estimate; round trip, seasonal, includes the shuttle bus on the Hook. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Vehicle entry fee permit or guide
America the Beautiful pass no permit
Fishing permit or guide
Special events and filming permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$20–25
- US$75–100
- US$45–55
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Gateway National Recreation Area fees before you go.
Park rules
- Swimming
- Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, in season, and only between the flags. The ocean side has rip currents.
- Alcohol and glass
- Alcohol and glass containers are not allowed on the beaches.
- Grills and fires
- No open fires; grills only in signed areas where allowed.
- Drones
- Launching drones is not allowed in Gateway National Recreation Area without a permit.
- Wildlife
- Keep distance from seals and nesting shorebirds; stay out of closed dune and marsh areas.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed on leash in most areas but not on swimming beaches in season; follow posted signs.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotels along Route 36, West Long Branch and Eatontown
Chain hotels 20–30 min from the entrance; the practical base if you want a full beach day.
Near the park
Highlands and Atlantic Highlands
Small inns and rentals closest to the south gate, walkable to the ferry dock.
Near the park
Camping
No camping on the Hook; the nearest campgrounds are inland in Monmouth County.
Safety
Rip currents on the ocean side high
Sun and heat on the open spit medium
Bike and pedestrian traffic on the path medium
Ticks and poison ivy off the path low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The multi-use path is paved and flat, usable by wheelchair and stroller for most of the Hook.
- Accessible parking and beach mats are provided at some ocean beach lots in season.
- The lighthouse tower stairs are narrow; the grounds and exhibits are the accessible part of the site.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out everything you bring; bins fill up on summer weekends.
- Do not feed gulls or approach seals — both change animal behaviour and are against park rules.
- Use the ferry or bike the path instead of driving between lots on busy days.
- Stay off the dunes; the vegetation is what holds the spit together.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sandy Hook?
In the summer season there is a per-vehicle entrance fee, in the region of US$20–25 (2026 estimate), with lower motorcycle and senior rates and a season pass. People arriving on foot, by bike or on the ferry pay no entrance fee. Fees are collected at the entrance station on Hartshorne Drive.
What are the best hikes in Sandy Hook?
There are no mountain hikes here — it is a flat sand spit. The best walks are the paved multi-use path end to end (1.5–2 hours by bike, longer on foot), the Fort Hancock history walk, and the boardwalk trails over the salt marsh at Spermaceti Cove. All are easy and mostly shaded only in the morning.
When is the best time to visit Sandy Hook?
May, June, September and October. The sea is warm enough from June, the crowds thin sharply after Labor Day, and October gives clear, dry weather for biking. July and August are hot and the parking lots fill by mid-morning on weekends.
Can I get to Sandy Hook without a car?
Yes, in season. A ferry runs from Pier 11 and East 34th Street in Manhattan to the park dock, and a shuttle bus covers the main beaches from there. Outside the ferry season you need a car or a taxi from Highlands.
Is Gunnison Beach clothing-optional?
Yes. Gunnison is a designated clothing-optional beach with its own parking lot. Photography of other people is not welcome, and the rest of the park's beaches are not clothing-optional.
Can I swim at Sandy Hook?
Only in season, only where lifeguards are on duty, and only between the flags. The ocean side has genuine surf and rip currents; the bay side is calmer but still not lifeguarded everywhere.
Is there food or shopping on Sandy Hook?
Very little. There is almost nothing for sale on the Hook beyond a few beach items in season, so bring food and water. The nearest full restaurants are in Highlands, just south of the park.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go