Sandy Hook Beach in Middletown, NJ

Everyone needs a beach day once in a while.

Sandy Hook is a great beach with lush sand, clear water, a bike trail, and access to the bay for scenic sunsets.

So pack your picnic basket with your favorite snacks and a sandwich from Wawa and have yourself an unforgettable beach day, close to home!

Sandy Hook beaches are part of the Gateway National Recreation Area in New Jersey, exit 117 off the Parkway. There are several sections to this area as well as several beaches (and one is clothing optional!). Great for fishing, swimming, biking, and more! Grab your gear and get ready for a day of fun. Open from 6am to 9pm daily, plus only $20 a car! One of the many beaches of the Jersey shore, this one is not to be missed.

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What to Expect at Sandy Hook Beach

You will be surprised at what Sandy Hook has to offer. It is a whole beach getaway in just a day. You’ll feel like you’re in another state once your toes are in the sand and the sun is on your face. Find it hard to relax? There’s a 250 year old lighthouse to explore, food trucks and dining, and more than 100 buildings and fortifications from Fort Hancock when it was an active U.S. army fort, so there is plenty to do for those who can’t sit still!

Beach Parking

Prices

Parking is $20 per car daily
Parking pass for the season is $100
Credit, debit, contactless payment only – no Cash!

Hours

Open Daily 6am – 9pm
Fees Collected from 8am – 6pm
Lifeguards on duty in swimming areas from 10am – 6pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day

Options

There are 5 beaches with lifeguards
Gunnison Beach is Clothing Optional
Swimming on the Bay Side is at your own risk

One of the Best Beaches on the Jersey Shore

On our most recent trip to Sandy Hook, we parked in lot C. Supposedly lot D has the “most popular” beach, but also looked the most busy and not really what we were looking for.

We did scope it out though, and they had 2 food trucks (Burger Boyz out of Brooklyn and an acai/fruit bowl truck. Plus, a Carvel ice cream truck!) Lot C only had a Mr. Softee ice cream truck which was perfect, as we brought out own food.

There are also bathrooms (they are not the cleanest or updated and do not smell great!) but they do also have outdoor showers so you can clean up change before your ride home.

The entrances to the beaches also let you know where the swimming areas are with designated lifeguard zones are. Umbrellas, tents, and cabanas were all over the beach, but only boogie boards, surf boards, and canvas surf mats are allowed as flotation in the water.

Beach Area C at Sandy Hook

Plenty of beach to walk around on, layout, fish, and play. Clearly marked where the lifeguards are with red flags and lifeguard chairs. The water was pretty quiet and clear when we were there. A perfect 82 degree summer day!

Rocks and Shells on the Beach

Close to the water there are tons of beautiful colored rocks, shells, and even some sea glass! It doesn’t hurt to walk on, but it sure is fun to find the most beautiful pieces! Even if the water is chilly, you can pick some shells and explore the beach.

No Swimming in The Rock Area

You are welcome to walk around or fish near the rocky areas, but do not swim there. Many rocks lay on the beach and below the surface, causing danger to swimmers.

Rocks on the Beach

The rocks on the beach are in a designated “no swim” area, but is a great spot to layout and tan, read a book, or look for shells, as these areas aren’t usually as crowded.

Beach Day Packing List

A Cool Cabana or Classic Beach Umbrella and chairs
Make sure to bring your Portable Speaker – a small one like this will do the job
Sand Cloud has the BEST towels for sandy beaches
A Beach Cooler Backpack is a must-have
A mini folding table with a carry bag is super useful to keep food and drinks off the sand
Of course make sure you have a credit card for parking and cash/card for food trucks
Don’t forget the Sunscreen, boogie board, goggles, and mesh bags for collecting shells!

Sandy Hook Bike Path

The bike path at Sandy Hook is about 5 miles long and runs from Fort Hancock into Sea Bright, but can be accessed from many areas along the way. This is a MUP, or Multi-Use Pathway which is used by runners, bikers, walkers, in-line skaters, and more! All ages are welcome, just be sure to stay on your side to avoid collision.

There are stop signs throughout, as entrances to some beaches cut into the path so always be aware. It is mostly a tree-lined, flat path. Perfect for nature lovers! There are over 200 types of birds, and we saw some deer. The path also runs along the bay for part of the way and travels through some old buildings if you keep going through Fort Hancock.

Many old buildings line the end of the bike path by Fort Hancock. Lots of places to explore, and there’s a bike rental place!

2 lane bike path follows the Bay, then crosses the road to go along a tree-lined next to the beach. Ride around and check out new places!

We found beauty in this old building while biking around. I’m sure this place holds many memories, both good and bad and has been through alot!

We like to bring our own bikes, but there’s a great option to rent bikes (when the weather permits, otherwise they aren’t open). Renting bikes will run you about $25 for 2 hours, or $35 for 4 hours. Child seats, baskets, and helmets are available for an additional fee.

There are also a couple of places to eat down in the Fort Hancock area, as well as an ice creamery! McFly’s on the Hook has an array of beverages and snacks for a quick stop, and Mule Barn Tavern is equipped with outdoor seating and pub-style food, both recently restored and great additions to the area!

However, many visitors choose to bring food, set up tents, even have parties! We saw a birthday party by the pavilion, and even a wedding on the bay side.

The Lighthouse

The Sandy Hook Lighthouse is a 250-year-old National Historic Landmark. The visitors center is next to the lighthouse, located in the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, built in 1883 (restored in 2000). The visitor center is open Friday to Monday from 10am-4pm and holds free tours most days.

This Lighthouse is the oldest working Lighthouse in the United States, and is still lit 24 hours per day! It is visible for 19 miles on clear nights and pristinely maintained by the United States Coastguard.

Make sure to take a tour and see the breathtaking views of the Sandy Hook Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and of course the New York City Skyline!

Sandy Hook Sunset

After a great bike ride and a beautiful day at the beach, we decided to drive down to watch the sunset over the bay. I’m sure glad we did! It was so gorgeous and really made us slow down and just enjoy the end to a great day before battling the inevitable traffic to get back home!

Tips for the Best Experience at Sandy Hook

Important Info to Remember About Sandy Hook

Alcohol is not permitted. Though I did see people drinking on the beach, there are signs that say not to drink…
Pets are only permitted on the bay side. The beachside only allows pets on the off-season between September 15 to March 15
Swimming is only permitted on the beach areas with Lifeguards (lifeguard hours 10-6)
Gunnison Beach is clothing optional
NO cash for parking, contactless payment only
Sandy Hook is strictly carry-in, carry-out. Do not leave any garbage behind, bring with you whatever you brought and keep the beaches beautiful
You will have a great time and make many memories! Take Pictures!

My Personal Favorites

The sand was so soft and lush, and the shells and rocks were so fun to find! I always love to do the bike path and take pictures of the lighthouse. And my absolute favorite is watching the sunset and capturing the night sky change colors. Sandy Hook is the perfect spot for a memorable beach day in the tri-state area!

Sandy Hook Beach, NJ – Take a Trip to the Jersey Shore

Sandy Hook Beach in Middletown, NJ