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 2019, 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). Visitor Center number: (732) 872-5900
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
Sandy Hook Observation Deck Open: The Sandy Hook Observation Deck is now open.
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. Open on Weekends 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. FREE
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.
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. Call 732-872-5970.
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.
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.
Your pet can visit SOME areas of Gateway! Some areas of Gateway have great trails for you and your pet to exercise and enjoy nature. Pets are NOT allowed in areas of the park which are delicate natural habitats.
Where pets are permitted, they must always be on a leash. You must also clean up after your pet when visiting the park. Pets running at large may be impounded at the owner’s expense. Unleashed pets are at danger themselves. They may also be seen as a danger to other visitors and, most of all, may threaten wildlife and habitats that the park is legally bound to protect.
Where you CANNOT bring your pet, even on a leash:
All campgrounds: Floyd Bennett Field, Camp Hudson at Fort Wadsworth and Sandy Hook. Ocean-side beaches at Sandy Hook Unit from March 15 through September 15 (piping plover season). Pets ARE permitted on bay-side beaches at Plum Island and Horseshoe Cove throughout the year, but must always be on a leash. Swimming beaches at Staten Island Unit’s Great Kills Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day. At Jacob Riis Park, Fort Tilden and Breezy Point Tip (all within Jamaica Bay Unit) between March 15 and September 15 (piping plover season). ANY part of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge at ANY time of year.
Exceptions: Service animals (guide dogs, signal dogs or other animals trained to perform tasks for persons with disabilities) are excepted. Dogs used by law enforcement officers in the performance of official duties are also excepted. Emotional support animals, comfort animals and therapy dogs are not considered service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA.
Abandoning animals at a national park: DON’T DO IT. Domesticated animals have not learned the skills needed to live in the wild. They usually die before figuring it out. Abandoned animals have shorter lives due to attacks by predators, disease and living in extreme conditions. Besides, this is against the law. Violators will be prosecuted.
Some abandoned animals, particularly cats, kill wildlife that the park is here to protect. Outdoor cats are believed to kill hundreds of millions of birds and small animals each year in North America. Whether a cat is domesticated or feral, well-fed or hungry, cats act as predators by nature. People who love cats can give them longer, healthier lives and keep bird and wildlife populations more robust by keeping cats indoors 24 hours a day.
Beach Info:
Fees & Passes: There are no entrance fees for Gateway National Recreation Area. However, there is a charge for beach parking from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day at Sandy Hook, N.J. 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. InterAgency (IA) Military Pass holders along with their families and IA Every Kid In A Park Fourth Grade Pass holders along with their famlies will receive free beach parking.
Are there Beach Parking discounts? – Yes. InterAgency (IA) Access Pass and IA Senior Passes holders receive a 50% discount. Please note that the IA Annual pass holders do NOT receive a discount on expanded amenities fees such as beach parking. Active Military Members who own an IA Annual Pass will receive free beach parking at Gateway where parking fees are charged, including Jacob Riis Park and Sandy Hook. 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.)
ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED ON SANDY HOOK BEACH
Camping Rates and Details: $30 a night; $210 a week;
$15 a night with the Senior or Access Pass; $105 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. At Floyd Bennett Field, hot and cold-water showers, located across from the camp grounds, are open daily May through October, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where to obtain passes at Gateway – Visitors may obtain Access or Senior Passes at the following sites throughout the year. Unless otherwise mentioned, sites are open during normal business hours seven days a week. Senior passes are $80. 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.
Jamaica Bay Unit:
Floyd Bennett Field Visitor Contact Station (Brooklyn), 718-338-3799;
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Queens), 718-318-4340.
Sandy Hook Unit:
Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, 732-872-5970. (Entrance station summers only.)
Staten Island Unit:
Great Kills Visitor Contact Station (Wednesday – Sunday), 718-819-7574;
Miller Field Visitor Contact Station (Wednesday – Sunday), 718-351-6970.
How do I obtain an Interagency Pass? AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS SERIES: In 2007, the 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. Please visit the USGS Store website for more information or to purchase online.
Internet & Cellular Access: Public wi-fi is not available in any section of Gateway National Recreation Area. Cell service is generally available throughout the park, although some dead zones exist.
Information – Breezy Point Tip: Please note that Breezy Point Tip is closed to vehicles from March 15 to September 15, due to piping plover activity, even to those with 4 x 4 permits. You can drive to the lot at the end of the road, and then walk to the tip.
All off-road Fishing Permits Sold Out for 2019 – All off-road fishing permits for the Breezy Point Tip are sold out for 2019
Swimming – Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day at ocean side beaches. Please swim only on 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 flowing away from the shore. Before you go to the beach, learn what you need to do to Break the Grip of the Rip. For more information on rip currents go to: www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent\
Beach wheelchairs are available. Contact the Visitor Center at (732) 872-5970.
Concession: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day Mobile food services are available at Beaches B,C,D,E and G these services vary on days of the week and location, please call 732-872-5910 to find out more about these services.
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 are available during peaks season as weather permits. Always call ahead 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 pets on a short enough leash that they stay with you 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 the main post area. Birding is not permitted in the campground for the duration of the camping season. In summertime you can join a park ranger on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the Lot M Observation Deck from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to learn more about birds in the area. A scope will be set up to view raptors, marsh birds, and migrating song birds.
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.
Camping: Overnight tent camping is available at Sandy Hook. Reservations are available at www.recreation.gov under “Camp Gateway”.
Canoe Cruises: This ranger led water program will resume in the summer of 2019. Rangers lead a two-mile paddle for visitors age 14 and older to explore Sandy Hook from the ideal vantage point of the water. This 2.5-hour tour is of the bayside waters of Sandy Hook and Skeleton Hill Island. Reservations are necessary. Please reserve by visiting www.recreation.gov or calling (877) 444-6777.
Hiking: Trails begin at the Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station and at Area M near Nine Gun Battery. Walking along the ocean beaches is permitted. Some areas are closed during the spring and summer due to shorebird nesting.
Picnicking: The North Beach Observation Deck has tables and a view of the New York Harbor. Guardian Park has picnic tables, shelters and grills. Grilling is only permitted in Guardian Park.
Pets: Pets are not permitted on ocean side beaches from March 15 to September 15. Pets are allowed on bay side beaches year-round, but always must be leashed.
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.
Kayaking: Kayaking programs are available at both the Jamaica Bay and Staten Island units between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Staten Island: In Staten Island Unit’s Great Kills Park you can join a ranger Fridays-Mondays, 10:30- 4 pm. You must be nine or older and higher than four feet tall.
Jamaica Bay Kayak Trail: The seven National Park Service kayak launches in Jamaica Bay are open. Bookmark this page for links to upcoming programs, tide charts and float plans. The kayak launch sites within Jamaica Bay offer opportunities for every level of paddler. Whether you canoe, kayak, or row, you will find launch sites and trips that meet your skill level. Before you launch, please download the Jamaica Bay Kayak Trail Map for important safety and regulatory information.
In order to launch after-hours in Jamaica Bay, or to park at kayak launch facilities at Riis Landing and Rockaway Point, you must first obtain a permit at the Ryan Visitors Center. Permits are no longer required, dawn to dusk, at Plumb Beach, Floyd Bennett Field Seaplane Ramp, Mill Basin, Canarsie Pier, and the North Channel Bridge. Call (718)338 3799 or e-mail us for more information.
Rentals: Listed below are the authorized outfitters for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Outfitters are required to provide a safe vessel with paddles and U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for each person in the vessel. Whether you are a novice or an experience paddler, knowing what to expect before you arrive is important for having a safe, enjoyable trip. River information such as water quality, river flow rate, dam release schedule, and weather forecast are available on our Current Conditions page.
Allsouth Tubing: 4349 Abbotts Bridge Road, Duluth, GA 30097. 678-349-6880
Services: Rental of tubes. Shuttle service. Park Units: Abbotts Bridge unit and Medlock Bridge unit.
High Country Outfitters: 3906B Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342. 404-814-0999. Services: Rental of boats, canoes, kayaks, rafts, stand up paddle boards (SUP), and tubes. Guided river trips. Education, fitness, and wellness classes. Park Units: All
Hooch Adventures: 404-987-3164. Services: Rental of tubes. Shuttle service. Park Units: Powers Island and Paces Mill unit.
Nantahala Outdoor Center
5450 Interstate North Parkway, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. 404-850-9030 or 800-232-7238. Services: Rental of kayaks, rafts, stand up paddle boards (SUP), and tubes. Guided river trips. Shuttle service.
Shoot The Hooch: 203 Azalea Drive, Roswell, GA 30075. 770-650-1008. Services: Rental of canoes, kayaks, rafts, stand up paddle boards (SUP), and tubes. Shuttle service. Park Unit: Island Ford unit.
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.
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
