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SANDY HOOK – Sandy Hook /Highlands History: Originally discovered by the famous Sea Captain Henry Hudson in the early 1600’s, Sandy Hook remains a beautiful, 1,665-acre barrier peninsula within view of the Manhattan skyline.  It is recommended that those who would like to spend some time in Sandy Hook stay in Highlands, which is located on the hill across the bay.

The Sandy Hook visitor center has been be relocated to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse Keeper’s Residence. The park reopened to the public on Wed., May 1 for the first time since Hurricane Sandy. By May 1 most, but not all, areas of the park will be open again for visitors to enjoy, with all lifeguarded beaches available by Memorial Day. The park will continue to work on areas that are not yet safe for visitors. The National Park Service values your safety above all other concerns. For your safety, please respect the closure of park areas until they are deemed safe to reopen.

Beach Info: The seven-mile stretch of spectacular ocean and bay beaches are excellent for surf casting, swimming, and relaxing on the sand. Nature lovers will revel in the 300 – plus species of migratory birds, as well as the pristine holly forest. Be warned! Parking lots fill up early on weekends in the summer, causing the gates to close.

2014 Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day – Although there is no entrance fee to Sandy Hook, there is a $15 per car parking fee.  A $75 Seasonal Beach Pass is also available.  Golden Access and Golden Age Passport holders receive a 50 percent discount.  Gateway National Park at Sandy Hook is a ‘dog friendly’ beach on the Inlet side of the Hook but your dogs must be leashed at all times.

Please note that there are no amenities (i.e. life guards, rest rooms, food or beverages) available on the Inlet side (western shore) of the Park. Dogs are not allowed at any time on the eastern or Atlantic shore of the Park.

NY Beach Ferry – Spend a day relaxing on the beach, swimming, sun tanning, bird watching, fishing (check with local laws), or sightseeing in Sandy Hook and Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. Ferries will depart from Pier 11,  www.newyorkbeachferry.com.

SeaStreak Ferry – SeaStreak America, Inc. is a leader in revitalizing fast high-speed catamaran services in the New York metropolitan area. Visit their website at http://www.seastreak.com.

Big Mohawk Party Boat – The Big Mohawk NJ Party Boat, located in the Jersey Shore town of Belmar, Services also provided are Private Charters and Burials at Sea.

Sea Devil Party Boat – The Sea Devil NJ Party Boat, located in the Jersey Shore town of Point Pleasant Beach, offers New Jersey Blue Fishing and Offshore NJ Tuna Fishing trips. Other services also provided are Inland River Cruises and Burials at Sea.

Bike Trails – Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is an organization dedicated to assisting local communities in the acquisition of abandoned railroad corridors and the conversion of these corridors into trails that are used for biking, walking and running.  Most trails are limited to a 3% incline because this is the default characteristic of a railroad track. The gentle slope of a railroad trail is ideally suited for various forms of exercise: rollerblading, biking, jogging and leisurely strolls all occur on these different trails.  Henry Hudson Trail – Jersey Shore Location: Aberdeen to Atlantic Highlands Activities: Walking, Horseback Riding, Biking, Cross Country Skiing, In-line Skating, Wheelchair Accessible Length: 9 mi.

Sandy Hook All Women Lifeguard Tournament – The 30th NPS All-Women Lifeguard Tournament is set for Wednesday, July 30, 2014. It is presented by the U.S. National Park Service, which is one of the branches of the United States of America Department of the Interior. The tournament will take place at Sandy Hook, in New Jersey. The closest international airport is Newark International Airport, in the metro New York City area. The driving distance — airport to tournament site — is about 72 km. In the U.S.A., this tournament is the oldest and largest of its kind exclusively for women. It is an inter-club competition. There is no entry fee. It is open to any woman who is working as a lifeguard, whether on a volunteer or paid basis. The purpose of the tournament is to showcase the high level of fitness and skill that women bring to lifeguard work and, thereby, encourage others to consider becoming lifeguards. The tournament is an NPS workforce-diversity initiative. For more details, see the attached file and/or contact carl_martinez@nps.gov.

Iron Girl – Sandy Hook Women’s Triathlon. Sunday, September 7, 2014 Location: Gateway National Recreation Area.  Women’s Only Triathlon 1/3 mile swim/15 mile bike/3 mile run. Starts 7:00 a.m.

ONGOING EVENTS

Sandy Hook Lighthouse – Tours are given daily from 9 a.m. p.m. to 5 p.m. Sandy Hook Lighthouse Tours are first-come, first-served. Visitors must be at least 48 inches tall to climb the tower. Groups need reservations in advance for a Lighthouse tour.  Contact the park Visitor Center at 732-872-5970.

Sandy Hook Lighthouse Keepers Quarters – The Lighthouse Keepers Quarters has exhibits on New Jersey Lighthouses.  Weekdays Apr. through Oct – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Weekends 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. History House – This 1898 lieutenant’s residence along “Officers Row” is furnished to the 1940’s.  Open Weekends 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Step back in time to the 1940’s at History House, where visitors can help make WWII recipes, cultivate the Victory Garden, and spend time with living historians learning about the era.

Battery Potter – Tour Sandy Hook’s oldest gun battery.  Opens on weekends in 2014 starting May  through August from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit the nation’s oldest concrete gun emplacement, and decide for yourself whether it was a technological marvel or military mistake.

Battery Gunnison – May thru October – Weekends 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Visit and chat with living historians from the Army Ground Forces Association to find out why the 6” guns here were fired six times between the fall of 1943 and spring of 1944.

Fort Hancock Museum – The former post guardhouse contains exhibits on Fort Hancock. Currently closed for renovations. Did you know that Fort Hancock had an integrated unit in World War II? The 1225th Army Service Unit had African-American soldiers and in 1943 received a group from the Women’s Army Corps.

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the historic LightHouse – Planning is underway for a celebration on Saturday June 14, 2014 rain or shine. Details to be announced, join our mailing list to receive updates.

End of Summer Party – Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.