JMF's Nudist/Naturist Pages -- Gunnison Beach, Sandy Hook, NJ

This page is part of JMF's Nudist/Naturist Pages.

Photo courtesy of cheef.com

Gunnison Beach, Sandy Hook, NJ

Gunnison Beach is one of several beaches that are part of the Gateway National Recreation Area in northern New Jersey, located on Sandy Hook, a six-mile-long peninsula across from the entrance to New York Harbor. Sandy Hook is known for exceptional beaches, wildlife, and fishing. Gunnison Beach, overlooked by the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, has dramatic views of lower Manhattan and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Nearly two miles of Gunnison Beach is legally recognized as clothing-optional, with official signs and full lifeguard and police protection; it is the largest clothing-optional beach on the Atlantic coast of the US, and draws more than 5,000 visitors per day on most sunny summer weekends.

News for 2002

Parking Fee collection begins Memorial Day weekend (Saturday May 25th). This is the same as in 2001, but earlier than in past years. Lifeguard service begins that day also.
Season parking passes for 2002 go on sale at the Area D Visitor Center beginning Monday, April 29th. They may also be purchased at the gate beginning May 25th. Cost is $50 per car. This is a policy change. In the past, for $50 you would get a mirror hanger that could be used in up to two cars, now you must get a non-transferable bumper sticker for each vehicle.
Daily parking rates are $10/day, same as last year's weekend rate. This now applies all days, there is no reduced rate for weekdays.
For you early birds, entrance is free before 7am, just stop by the ranger station for a free daily parking pass. Entrance is also free after 4pm.

Beach Directions

Even the nicest clothing-optional beach isn't much good to you if you don't know how to get there, so here are maps and directions! (Will this be your first visit to a clothing-optional location? You might want to read my Intro to Naturism including the Q&A if you haven't had a chance to already. --JMF)

Northern New Jersey/Southern New York Map including directions to the Sandy Hook/Gateway National Recreation Area entrance from the Garden State Parkway (and points north)
Sandy Hook Park Map with directions to Gunnison Beach from the park entrance, phone numbers, parking information and fees

Other Online Map Resources

Click here to see a map of: Gunnison Beach and Fort Hancock area

Tip: When using mapping or "driving directions" services such as Mapquest, try entering either "Fort Hancock, NJ" or "Navesink Beach, NJ" as the destination city, with no street address. Fort Hancock is located within the Gateway National Recreation Area on the Sandy Hook peninsula, a bit northwest of Gunnison Beach; typing in "Navesink Beach" puts you on Route 36 very slightly south of the park entrance.

Gunnison Beach Weather

5-day text forecast from the National Weather Service
Check the current sea surface temperature at an offshore NOAA monitoring station.
National UV Index Forecast Map
NOAA Tide predictions

Trip Reports

May 16, 1999 "Spring Conditions"
May 31, 1999 Includes a stay at the Marriott Courtyard, Tinton Falls
Future Report

Highlands, NJ 7-day Weather Channel Forecast

Other Online Gunnison Beach References

Here are some other Gunnison Beach pages and online articles:

Gateway National Recreation Area (National Park Service's Sandy Hook Page)
Friends of Gunnison Beach
Courier2's Gunnison Beach Page
Stephen's Sandy Hook page includes pictorial directions -- photos of driving landmarks that would be perfect companions to my maps and directions above.

Last modified March 20, 2002.

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