Gateway National Recreation Area - National reserve in Highlands - 26 Hudson Rd, USA

Really cool 1940s military homes barracks. Great for biking, birding, wildlife viewing. At dusk there are countless deer. We even saw a fox. Visit history house. Of course it's great for the beach too.

Visiting D Beach at Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook was one of the best beach experiences I've had in NJ in a long time. The beach offers clean and peaceful surroundings, and a glimpse of New York City's skyline to the North is a fun treasure hunt for the kids. The facilities were in excellent condition, and we felt very safe with our children there, thanks to the impressively vigilant lifeguards, who not only look out from their towers but also spotted them walking the beach between towers occasionally. A must-see spot for families or anyone looking to enjoy nature and a day at the beach. Beware of the friendly birds though; they might just be a little too friendly! Feed them at your peril; they have a way of calling in reinforcements and leaving behind 'gifts.' Enjoy!

We came for a day at the beach at Sandy Hook and are so glad we chose this park! There are several beaches and parking lots available. The beaches are clean. There is plenty of sand and open areas on the beach without rocks. But if you like the scenery of beach rocks, there are areas with rocks as well. There are areas for fishing and kayaking on the harbor side of the island. Drive down to the far end of the island and you will find the coast guard and an old Nike missile base. We did spend time doing any of the tours, but we plan to go back to do so. There is also a lighthouse on the Nike base that you can tour.

It's hard to believe this oasis is available so close to the metropolitan mecca of NYC. In fact you have an amazing view of Manhattan, Brooklyn , Staton Is. And Coney Is. So much to do and see. Deer everywhere, shore birds, shell collecting, swimming, fishing, you name it and it's there. Never feels overcrowded either. Walk for miles in the surf and sand. Such a beautiful place in New Jersey.

Very clean and beautiful beaches. Restrooms at very stop. Can look into New York City from the beach.

This place is awesome. If your white you'll be a loner but aside from that it's great. Theirs lots of different beaches family friendly beaches as well as nude beaches. $20 dollars to get the car in. Theirs food onsite. Kayaked rentals bathrooms and lifeguards. Only downfall is no garbage cans Wich is sad because this place makes a lot of money to not be able to take the garbage away.well worth a visit tho

While the Jersey Shore has many wonderful beaches to explore, few compare to Sandy Hook Beach at the Gateway National Recreation Area. With the ocean on one side, the bay on the other, bike trails, an old fort and a lighthouse, among other attractions, you are guaranteed a happy, relaxed commune with bayshore nature and history. Carry in and carry out policy ensures a cleaner beach, Get in very early in the morning or wait until mid-afternoon during July and August for parking area ($20/day parking fee or $100/season pass for parking). Rest of the year is less congested. You can always ride in on bikes.

This was a very pleasurable experience as well as an area of the park that can only be experienced by being there!!! Campsites are very clean and easy to set up camp on. All of the rangers that were encountered had very positive attitudes and friendly interactions with the campers. Parking is blocked off to non camp patrons. Will def go again and again!!!