www.nps.gov 732-872-5970
SANDY HOOK –
Sandy Hook / Highlands History: Sandy Hook /Highlands History: Originally discovered by the famous Sea Captain Henry Hudson in the early 1600’s, Sandy Hook was a beautiful, 1,665 – acre barrier peninsula within view of the Manhattan skyline.
Now, this picturesque 2,044 acre barrier beach peninsula located on the northern tip of the New Jersey shore offers a variety of environmental, historical, and recreational resources. Featuring 7 miles of ocean beaches and sand dunes, salt and freshwater marshes, hiking and biking trails and 264 acres of maritime forest, Sandy Hook is rich in ecological diversity. Historic sites include the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the United States. Birding, hiking, wind surfing, fishing and exploring the park’s natural and cultural resources are available year round.
History: Gateway’s calendar includes nature walks and history tours and programs for Sandy Hook. Take a stroll around Fort Hancock Historic Post. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Keepers’ Quarters and Barn are open seven days a week to tell the story of lighthouses and the men and women who maintained these life-saving sentinels. Lighthouse tours are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Want to reserve a group tour for the Sandy Hook Lighthouse? Please be advised: reservations must be made prior to your group’s visit; reservations must be made three weeks in advance of the requested tour date; maximum group size is 35 participants.
April 1 – October 31: The park is open from 5 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily, except by permit or as noted below. Through the summer of 2018, there is a $15 charge per day for beach parking from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Parking at Fort Hancock is always free.
November 1 – March 31: The park is open from 5 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily, except by permit. All navigable marine waters within the park boundary are open 24 hours.
Visitor centers and contact stations – open every day EXCEPT Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1).
Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Lighthouse Keepers Quarters / Visitor Center: The Sandy Hook Lighthouse will be closed for restoration until further notice.
Lighthouse Tours: Offered first come, first served, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children must be at least 48 inches tall to climb the tower. A video in the adjacent barn is always open.
Lighthouse Keepers Quarters/ Visitor Center: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Rangers are available to answer questions, discuss the natural and cultural resources of the park and sell Senior/Access passes. Interpretive exhibits and a gift shop are available. The visitor center phone number is 732- 872-5970.
Group Tours of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse: Reservations must be made prior to the group’s visit to the lighthouse. Reservations must be made three weeks in advance of the requested tour date. Maximum group size is 35 participants. Email us to make a reservation. Go to: http://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/sandy-hook-hours.htm
Can I bring my pet to Sandy Hook? – Pets and their owners may visit bayside beaches throughout the year. Pets are only allowed on oceanside beaches from September 15 – March 15. Pets are not permitted on oceanside beaches during the spring and summer because that is when the threatened piping plover builds nests in those locations. Pets must always be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Nike Missile Radar Site – Parking Lot L at Horseshoe Cove
Tour the site where radar once guided nuclear missiles during the Cold War, with actual Nike veterans. Find out what is was like to go on full alert, stand the nuclear missiles up, and await further orders with your finger on the switch.
Beach Info:
Fees & Passes: Entrance fees? No. Parking fees? Yes, in the summer. There are no entrance fees for Gateway National Recreation Area. But fees ARE charged for expanded amenities. That includes beach parking to access beach centers. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, an expanded amenity fee for beach parking is charged per vehicle Collection hours vary; Fees posted here are for 2017:
For most vehicles, beach parking is $15 per day or $75 per season. For oversized vehicles (more than 20 feet), charge is $30 per day or $150 per season. Hours of collection are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Does Gateway offer any Discounts or Free Beach Parking? – Yes. Access Pass (Golden Access) and Senior Pass (Golden Age Passport) holders receive a 50% discount. Please note that the America the Beautiful Pass holders do NOT receive a discount on expanded amenities fees such as beach parking. As of May 19, 2012, Active Military Members who own an America the Beautiful Annual Pass will receive free beach parking at Gateway where parking fees are charged. Active duty military photo identification will be required at all times to verify ownership of the Annual Pass. Vehicle Hang Tag is to be displayed at all times. (Hang tag is issued with annual pass.)
Camping Rates and Details:
The Visitor Center parking lot is closed for construction: Follow signs to the temporary parking in the Army Building 356 parking lot. The Visitor Center is open. Effective immediately, rates are as follows for all NEW reservations: $30.00 a night; $210.00 a week; $15.00 a night with the Senior or Access Pass; $105.00 a week with the Senior or Access Pass.
Length of Stay: No day use, you must camp overnight. 14 nights is the maximum number of nights permitted. Size limits: Up to six people may camp at a single site. Larger families and groups will need to reserve multiple camp sites. Sites are large enough for one large tent or two small tents.
What to bring: Your own tents and sleeping bags. A pad underneath your sleeping bag may cushion you better for a better night’s sleep. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent as well.
What NOT to bring: Alcohol, pets, and charcoal grills are NOT allowed at tent camping sites. Glass containers are not allowed anywhere in the park.
Recreational Vehicles (RVs) at Floyd Bennett Field only: There are presently nine RV camp sites with another 11 planned for the near future. Water, sewer and electrical hookups are NOT available. Tents are not permitted in RV sites. Neither Fort Wadsworth nor Sandy Hook can accommodate RVs.
Showers: Showers are not available at Sandy Hook. At Fort Wadsworth, a cold-water shower is available to campers during the camping season.
Locations to obtain passes at Gateway: Visitors may obtain Access or Senior Passes at: You must instead visit one of national parks charging entrance fees or visit the USGS store online.
Please note: the America the Beautiful annual interagency pass is sold only at parks with entrance fees; Gateway does not charge an entrance fee, so this pass is NOT sold at any unit of Gateway. You must instead visit one of national parks charging entrance fees or visit the USGS store online.
Passes are available at: Sandy Hook Unit: Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, 732-872-5970. (Entrance station summers only.) and Staten Island Unit: Great Kills Visitor Contact Station (Wednesday – Sunday), 718-987-6790; Miller Field Visitor Contact Station (Wednesday – Sunday), 718-351-6992.
How do I obtain an Interagency Pass?: AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS SERIES: As of January 1, 2007 the old Golden Eagle and Golden Access Passes were replaced with a new series of interagency passes called the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. All Golden Access and Golden Age Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper Golden Age and Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes. The America the Beautiful Pass Series includes the Annual Pass, Senior Pass, Access Pass and Volunteer Pass and the free annual pass for active military and their dependent families, introduced in 2012. Please visit the USGS Store website for more information or to purchase online.
Swimming – Lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 6 pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day at ocean side beaches. Please swim only at guarded beaches and only when lifeguards are on duty. When wading, be aware of sudden drop-offs. If you can’t swim, don’t go in. Rip currents are powerful currents of water flowing away from shore. Before you go to the beach, learn what you need to do to Break the Grip of the Rip!®
The guarded beaches are South Beach Areas C, D, E, Gunnison and North Beach. Area E and North Beach closed to swimming
Sandy Hook will begin to collect fees & open the following beach areas for swimming: Area C, Area D, and Area G (Gunnison). Area E and North Beach are temporarily closed to public access. NPS reminds all of our visitors to only swim at lifeguarded beaches. The southern portion of Gunnison Beach is clothing optional. For your safety, please only swim at guarded beaches and follow lifeguard instructions. Swimming and alcohol don’t mix. To protect nesting shorebirds, pets are banned from ocean beaches from March 15 through Labor Day. Areas along the beach may be closed to park visitors as well. Open fires and metal detectors are prohibited.
Hiking – TTrails begin at the Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station (closed due to damage from Hurricane Sandy) and at Area M near Nine Gun Battery. Walking ocean beaches is permitted but in spring and summer some areas are closed due to the shorebird nesting season.
Multi Use Trails – The Multi-Use Pathway (MUP) is a five mile paved trail that starts at the park entrance and ends in Fort Hancock at the ferry dock in front of the Chapel. It is shared by hikers, bicyclists, and in-line skaters. Hikers can also enjoy the Old Dune Trail that begins at the Sandy Hook Visitor Center and South Beach Dune Trail that winds to the north end of the trail and continues to Atlantic Drive. Refer to the park map for more information.
Fishing – Fishing is permitted at all beaches except when lifeguards are on duty. An annual pass for nighttime fishing can be purchased at the Ranger Station or Visitor Center. Surf fishing is permitted at all beaches, except:
at oceanside beaches when lifeguards are on duty, and;when sections of the beach are closed to protect nesting shore birds (typically March to September).When areas of the beach are closed due to safety concerns. Salt water fishing in New Jersey requires a permit from the state of New Jersey. Registration is free. The New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program is part of an improved data program to help protect long-term sustainability of recreational fishing. Annual passes for nighttime fishing can be purchased from the park. Unless otherwise stated below, payment is permitted by cash, credit, check or money order. Your Social Security number is required on all checks. Due to changes in staffing over the seasons, the times and places to buy annual fishing passes vary as well. For more information, please e-mail us. Fish Smart, Eat Smart is a guide for eating fish caught in New Jersey coastal waters from the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife. Please read this before eating what you catch.
Boating – Non-motorized car top boats can be launched from Beach Area C and Horseshoe Cove. Windsurfing and kite-boarding is best on the bay across from Beach Area C. Horseshoe Cove is popular with recreational boaters. Landing on the beach with a motorized boat is prohibited.
Windsurfing and Kite-boarding – Windsurfing and kite-boarding is best on the bay across from Beach Area C. For safety, please only swim at guarded beaches and wear life jackets when in boats.
Biking: For a great way to see Sandy Hook, the seven-mile long Multi-Use Pathway (MUP) starts at the park entrance and loops around Fort Hancock. It is shared by walkers, bicyclists and in-line skaters. Bring your own bicycle or you can rent a bike during your visit. Bike Rentals may be available during the peak season as weather permits. Always call ahead the for the best service. The MUP is for everyone, so please use it with courtesy. Whether you walk, bike or rollerblade, stay on your side of the yellow line. Keep an ear out for people who wish to pass. Keep animals on a short enough leash to keep your pet on your side of the trail.Birding – Sandy Hook is a prime spot for birding. Try Plum Island, the Spermaceti Cove boardwalk, the Horseshoe Cove salt marsh, North Pond or the fields at Fort Hancock. Birding is not permitted in the campground for the duration of the camping season. In summertime on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9 am to 11 am, join a park ranger at the Lot M Observation Deck (park at lot after K Lot near Nine Gun Battery) to learn more about birds in the area. A scope will be set up to view raptors, marsh birds, and migrating songbirds.
Kayaking: Kayak and Standup Paddleboard rentals are available at Beach C Bayside on Spermaceti Cove. Rentals, lessons and group/family tours are offered. Also, kayaks and paddleboards can be rented by the day or week.
Rentals:
1 hour single, double and three person kayaks $20-40
1 hour Standup Paddleboard rentals $30
1 hour two person peddleboat rental $40
(Dogs paddle free! We have life vests for all sizes)
Children must be over 12+ to paddle without an adult.
Private paddle board tours and group kayak/stand up paddleboard outings are private and by appointment only.
Visit the website sandyhookkayaks.com to make a reservation.
Free shuttle available to pick up visitors anywhere in the park and returns them after paddling. Please call 732-708-4004 for shuttle service
Camping: Overnight tent camping is available at Sandy Hook. Reservations are available at www.recreation.gov under “Camp Gateway.”
Picnics: The North Beach Observation Deck has tables and a view of New York Harbor. Guardian Park has picnic tables, shelters and grills. Grilling is only permitted at Guardian Park in Fort Hancock.
Food Trucks: Sandy Hook is embarking on a new path with mobile food trucks this summer. Throughout this year’s beach season different mobile food vendors will be offering an array of food to visitors. Vendors will be located in various parking lots throughout the beach during the summer season.
The Gateway Museum Collection – The Gateway National Recreation Area museum collection contains a great variety of objects ranging from artillery shells to sea shells. Aircraft to insects, this collection contains something of interest to everyone. The museum holdings relate to the history of the park and include significant archival and historical collections related to the military, aviation and recreational stories and sites throughout the park. These holdings also include an archeological and a natural history collection. Archival holdings include photographs, architectural drawings, manuals, maps, menus, newspapers and more. The history objects in the collection include a wide variety of items such as uniforms, insignia, cups, plaques and jewelry. Through the generosity of the Sandy Hook Foundation, the National Park Service has been able to purchase items and add them to the museum collection. Inquires about the Sandy Hook portion of the Gateway NRA Museum Collection can be made by calling 732-872-5953 or emailing mary_rasa@nps.gov.
Hangar B Closure: Due to ongoing issues with the roof, Hangar B will be closed to the public, and all public programs in the hangar are cancelled, until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Sandy Hook Observation Deck Closure: The Sandy Hook Observation Deck is closed for safety repairs.
Nine Gun Battery Tours: When construction began 1897, the battery was originally intended to mount three 10-inch caliber disappearing guns, but when construction was complted in 1902, an additional six guns were emplaced creating a nine gun battery that operated until 1944.
Multiple Days:
06/09/2018, 06/10/2018, 06/16/2018, 06/17/2018, 06/23/2018, 06/24/2018, 06/30/2018, 07/07/2018, 07/08/2018, 07/14/2018, 07/15/2018, 07/21/2018, 07/22/2018, 07/28/2018, 07/29/2018, 08/04/2018, 08/05/2018, 08/11/2018, 08/12/2018, 08/18/2018, 08/19/2018, 08/25/2018, 08/26/2018
1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. FREE
Spermaceti Life Saving Station: The Spermecati Life Saving Station is currently closed. You can find the Sandy Hook Visitor Center at the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, located beside the Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Battery Potter: Open Saturdays and Sundays in the summer; 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Explore and tour Sandy Hook’s oldest disappearing gun battery, and the first concrete disappearing gun battery ever built in America, completed in 1895.
Mortar Battery: Saturdays and Sundays, in the summer; 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. The 1894 Sandy Hook Mortar Battery was Among the first Endicott era (1890 – 1910) concrete gun batteries built on Sandy Hook, as part of New York Harbor defense against enemy attack from the sea.
Nike Missile Radar Site: Horseshoe Cove, Parking Lot L; Tours are conducted on select weekends from April to November. Guided tours of the Integrated Fire Control (IFC) will allow you to see the inner workings of the facility where the supersonic nuclear armed Nike Hercules missiles were controlled and guided using Cold War era computers and radars. While taking a guided tour of this one-time TOP SECRET missile site, you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the veterans who actually worked on the Cold War Era Nike Air Defense System. FREE.
SPECIAL PARK & COOPERATOR PROGRAMS:
Birding by the Bay: Every Saturday Weekly from 05/19/2018 to 09/29/2018 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Kick off your weekend with beautiful birds on our weekly, ranger-guided nature walk. Explore the east and west ponds and learn all about the resident and migratory wildlife that you can see right here in NYC. ♥ 1 mile. FREE.
Canarsie Walk-up and Paddle: Every Saturday Weekly from 05/26/2018 to 08/25/2018 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 .m. Kayaking for beginners. Open to the public, ages 6 and up with an adult. No reservation required. FREE.
World Oceans Day: 6/8/17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge “Our Oceans, Our Future” is the theme of World Oceans Day this year. Come learn about our oceans and how they interact with the land at ecologically important areas like salt marshes. FREE
Mortar Battery Tours: Join a park ranger guided tour of the Mortar Battery and learn about the first Endicott era (1894 – 1910) concrete gun battery that defended New York and its harbor against attack by enemy warships.
Multiple Days:
06/02/2018, 06/10/2018, 06/16/2018, 06/17/2018, 06/23/2018, 06/24/2018, 06/30/2018, 07/01/2018, 07/07/2018, 07/08/2018, 07/14/2018, 07/15/2018, 07/21/2018, 07/22/2018, 07/28/2018, 07/29/2018, 08/04/2018, 08/05/2018, 08/11/2018, 08/12/2018, 08/18/2018, 08/19/2018, 08/25/2018, 08/26/2018
1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. FREE,
Sandy Hook – Mortar Battery (across from Sandy Hook Lighthouse)
Riis Landing Walk-up and paddle: Kayaking for beginners. Open to the public, ages 6 and up with an adult. No reservation required. Every Sunday Weekly from 02/18/2018 to 08/26/2018 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Riis Landing, Queens. FREE.
Seaplane Ramp Walk Up and Paddle: Kayaking for beginners. Open to the public, ages 6 and up with an adult. No reservation required. Every Sunday Weekly & Every Saturday Weekly from 05/26/2018 to 08/26/2018 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Floyd Bennett Field, Seaplane Ramp FREE
Battery Potter Tours: Explore and tour Sandy Hook’s oldest disappearing gun battery. This is also the first concrete gun battery that was built in America, completed in 1895.
Multiple Days:
06/09/2018, 06/10/2018, 06/16/2018, 06/17/2018, 06/23/2018, 06/24/2018, 06/30/2018, 07/07/2018, 07/08/2018, 07/14/2018, 07/01/2018, 07/15/2018, 07/21/2018, 07/22/2018, 07/28/2018, 07/29/2018, 08/04/2018, 08/05/2018, 08/11/2018, 08/12/2018, 08/18/2018, 08/19/2018, 08/25/2018, 08/26/2018
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sandy Hook – Fort Hancock Historic Post. FREE
Fort Hancock Bike Tour: Call 732-872-5970 to make reservations. Bring helmet with bike. ♥ 3 miles. 06/10/2018 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Sandy Hook – Post Theater Parking Lot. FREE
Osprey Watch Guided Walk: Learn all about the amazing osprey on this guided walk of the West Pond Trail. NPS Rangers will talk about thier incredible migration and the inspiring story of how conservation efforts were able to bring this species back from the brink. Every Sunday Weekly from 05/20/2018 to 09/30/2018 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. FREE.
Birding by the Bay: Kick off your weekend with beautiful birds on our weekly, ranger-guided nature walk. Explore the east and west ponds and learn all about the resident and migratory wildlife that you can see right here in NYC. ♥ 1 mile. Every Saturday Weekly from 05/19/2018 to 09/29/2018 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. FREE.
Stars of Sandy Hook: Bring telescopes if you have them, otherwise optics will be provided. 06/19/2018, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sandy Hook – Parking Lot E Beach. FREE.
Monmouth County Audubon Society Bird Walk: Bring binoculars, insect repellent and wear comfortable shoes. ♥ 1 mile. 06/21/2018 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sandy Hook – U.S. Life-Saving Service Station Parking Lot (between Lots D & E). FREE.
Discover Fort Tompkins: Explore the little known areas of this his-toric structure with a park ranger and learn about coastal fortifications and life in the 1800’s. Meet at the Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center. Every Sunday Weekly & Every Wednesday Weekly & Every Thursday Weekly & Every Friday Weekly & Every Saturday Weekly from 05/31/2018 to 09/02/2018 11:00 AM,2:00 PM Fort Wadsworth. FREE.
Tour of Hangar B: Learn about the rich aviation history of Floyd Bennett Field. Join a park ranger for a guided tour or watch preservation in action at one of the Historic Aircraft Restoration Project (H.A.R.P). Every Sunday Weekly from 06/03/2018 to 08/26/2018. Floyd Bennett Field – Hangar B.
Sunset Seining: After a short talk on the Society’s front porch, you will drive over to Horseshoe Cove on Sandy Hook for a seining adventure. Participants are invited to help pull our 40-ft. seine net through the bay, and experience the excitement of learning about the fish and other critters caught. Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Fee: $5 per person, free for member families. Contact the ALS at 732-291-0055 for information and reservations. 07/11/2018 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sandy Hook – American Littoral Society Building 18, Fort Hancock Historic Post. FEE
Going Bunkers: Battery Mills: Meet park staff at the old Visitor Center Parking Lot between Parking Lot D and Lot E, then car caravan to Battery Mills. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a flashlight and insect repellent. Call 732-872-5970 to make reservations. 07/15/2018 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Sandy Hook – U.S. Life-Saving Station Parking Lot (between Lot D & E). FREE.
Family Friendly Campfire on the Beach: Participants are encouraged to bring beach blankets or chairs, snacks, bug spray, family and friends! NO ALCOHOL consumption is allowed during this program. Parents must supervise their children. Call the Sandy Hook Visitor Center for more information at 732-872-5970. 07/20/2018 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Sandy Hook – Lot E Beach. FREE.
34th NPS All-Women Lifeguard Tournament: Females will be representing beach patrols from the East Coast and elsewhere. These women are outstanding role models and encourage other women to become surf-lifeguards in the future. Please call 1-800-678-7946 for more information about this event and becoming a lifeguard at Sandy Hook. 07/25/2018 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sandy Hook – Lot E Beach. FREE.
Sandy Hook Foundation End of Summer Party back at the Beach! – TBA Go to http://sandyhookfoundation.com/ for the latest updates.
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 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. www.njpartyboat.com
For more information go to http://sandyhookfoundation.com/projects-programs/
To learn more about ways in which you can support a program or project of the Foundation please call the Foundation office at 732-291-7733 or e-mail shfinc@monmouth.com
