NPS · Gateway National Recreation Area · Highlands, NJ

Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook

Welcome to Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit! There are a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities available at the park including history tours, living history demonstrations, hiking, birding, kayaking, camping, swimming, and biking. Sandy Hook is known for its beautiful beaches, the Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark, and the country's oldest continuing working lighthouse.

More like this: reservable in New Jersey · tent only in New Jersey · group sites in New Jersey

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Camp Gateway - Sandy HookFishing Poles at North BeachCampsite with 2 bicyclesBird watching on the bay
Photos courtesy of NPS Park Ranger Conrad Wisniewski, NPS Park Ranger Kathy King, NPS Park Ranger Gage Bongiovi · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Tent-only17
Group tent areas1
Host/management3
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

17 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopShadePeople / vehiclesFiresPetsAccessibleRating
A01AjaxPartial6 / 1YesNoYesPrime
A02Ajax6 / 1YesNoPrime
A03AjaxPartial6 / 1YesNoPrime
A04Ajax6 / 1YesNoPrime
B06Beach Plum6 / 1YesNoPrime
B07Beach PlumPartial6 / 1YesNoPrime
B08Beach Plum6 / 1YesNoPrime
B09Beach Plum6 / 1YesNoPrime
B10Beach Plum6 / 1YesNoPrime
C11CannonballPartial10 / 2YesNoPrime

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.

Campground map of Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook
Campground map published by National Park Service on Recreation.gov. Open the image for full size.

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesPrice per night: $30.00 (sites that allow up to 6 people)/ $50.00 (sites that allow up to 10 people)/ $150.00 (group site allows up to 30 people)
AccessibilitySite A01 is listed accessible
  • This campground accommodates tent camping only.
  • Be prepared to walk your gear up to.25 miles into the sites from the parking area.
  • No pets allowed in the campground
  • No cars are permitted in the campground or campsites.
  • All campsites come equipped with a fire-ring, charcoal grill, picnic table, and food storage container.
  • Please bring your license plate information with you for check-in.
  • Flush toilets and running water are available.
  • There are no showers and no electric outlets within the campground.
  • Firewood is available for purchase at the camping check-in office. Credit card preferred.
  • There is no public Wifi.
  • There is no day-use permitted in the campground; all guests must be camping overnight.
  • All Beach Centers have restrooms and outdoor rinse showers.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 3.53 inches of precipitation, 6.5 inches of snowFebruary: 2.97 inches of precipitation, 8.5 inches of snowMarch: 4.37 inches of precipitation, 4.4 inches of snowApril: 3.85 inches of precipitation, 0.6 inches of snowMay: 4.03 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.44 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.85 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.92 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.92 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 4.02 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 3.23 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowDecember: 4.00 inches of precipitation, 4.3 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 33.6°F averageFebruary: 35.7°F averageMarch: 42.5°F averageApril: 52.7°F averageMay: 62.4°F averageJune: 71.6°F averageJuly: 77.5°F averageAugust: 76.1°F averageSeptember: 69.5°F averageOctober: 58.1°F averageNovember: 47.9°F averageDecember: 38.9°F average0 in2 in4 in6 in8 in10 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Ny Ave V Brooklyn, 10 miles from the campground at 20 feet, station USC00305796 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 47 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 25 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

From North Jersey and New York: South on the New Jersey Turnpike, Exit 11 onto the Garden State Parkway (South), Exit 117 (Keyport/Hazlet). After toll, bear left and follow Route 36 East 12 miles to park entrance (after crossing the Highlands Bridge). Stay right to enter the park.

Nearest townHighlands, New Jersey
Coordinates40.4501° N, 73.9951° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

  • Recreation.gov refund and cancellation policy:
  • Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees
  • Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
  • You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
  • Late Cancellations
  • Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.
  • Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.
  • Refunds
  • Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.
  • Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.
  • Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
  • Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.
  • No-Shows
  • Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival
  • If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearCanyon Pass Provisions ↗6.3 mi
RV sales & serviceCamping World ↗30.1 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Solo camping at Sandy hook NJ campground

Worth a stop

Twin Lights New Jersey Historic Site - Situated 200 feet above sea level atop the Navesink Highlands, Twin Lights has stood as a sentinel over the treacherous coastal waters of northern New Jersey since 1828. Named Navesink Lightstation, it became known as the "Twin Lights of Highlands" to those who used its mighty beacons to navigate. The lighthouse tower, museum, gift shop, and other buildings are open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. September through May. Mount Mitchill Monmouth County Scenic Overlook - At 266 feet, this overlook in Atlantic Highlands sits on the highest natural elevation on the Atlantic seaboard (excluding islands) from Maine to the Yucatan providing beautiful views of Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook Bay, Raritan Bay and the New York skyline. Hartshorne Woods Mounmouth County Park - A hilly, forested 787-acre site overlooking the Navesink River, this park is among the highest elevations along the Atlantic Coast and features prominently in area history as a former coastal defense site.

Natural features

Gateway National Recreation Area exists within one of the most urbanized areas of the country, covering 26,000 acres of New Jersey and three New York City boroughs. Among the urban environment, the park boasts grasslands, woodlands, sand dunes, beaches, ponds, salt marshes and forests.

Recreation

Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day at five ocean 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. Surf fishing is permitted at all beaches except when lifeguards are on duty. Fishing beach and "M" lot are prime spots. Please stick to the posted signs for closures, as they do occur throughout the summer months for endangered shorebird nesting. For a great way to see Sandy Hook by bicycle, the seven-mile long multi-use path starts at the park entrance and loops around Fort Hancock. It is shared by walkers, bicyclists and in-line skaters. Bike rentals are also available throughout the summer. Hiking trails begin at the Sandy Hook Visitor Center and at Area M near Nine Gun Battery. Walking ocean beaches is permitted but in spring and summer shorebird nesting season closes some areas. 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. Non-motorized, car-top boats can be launched from Beach Area C and Horseshoe Cove.

Guidebooks for New Jersey

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: New Jersey
    Matt Willen, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • AMC's Best Day Hikes in New Jersey
    Priscilla Estes, 2024
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-Trails New Jersey and New York
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Sites at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Price per night: $30.00 (sites that allow up to 6 people)/ $50.00 (sites that allow up to 10 people)/ $150.00 (group site allows up to 30 people)

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

Source: Charges and cancellations

How many sites does Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook have?

21 sites, including 17 tent-only sites and 1 group tent area.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Flush toilets and running water are available.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Site A01 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?

Highlands, New Jersey. Twin Lights New Jersey Historic Site - Situated 200 feet above sea level atop the Navesink Highlands, Twin Lights has stood as a sentinel over the treacherous coastal waters of northern New Jersey since 1828.

Source: Getting there