Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise

Great tent-camping site. Nice knowing there won't be a generator roaring next door. Notes: lots of animals (raccoons and foxes), so use the "bear boxes" for all food and trash. Ocean-side beach parking NOT included, but bay side accessible and kind of more interesting anyway. If you want to access ocean beaches (which are nice) bring bikes--they're too far from camp to walk (or pay the extra to p... Great tent-camping site. Nice knowing there won't be a generator roaring next door. Notes: lots of animals (raccoons and foxes), so use the "bear boxes" for all food and trash. Ocean-side beach parking NOT included, but bay side accessible and kind of more interesting anyway. If you want to access ocean beaches (which are nice) bring bikes--they're too far from camp to walk (or pay the extra to park). Very nice biking trails to explore the area. Cars not permitted at actual camp sites, but parking lot nearby (may fill up if busy). Well-lit central restroom facility with "flushies" but no showers. No electricity at sites but potable water nearby. No playgrounds. Some sites have picnic shelters. Plenty of poison ivy in parks but avoidable in camp. Must buy firewood there if you want a campfire (no gleaning/carry-in). No soda/snack machines (there are elsewhere in the park). 24-hr access to camp once registered (i.e., if you have to come and go during stay). Friendly rangers. My new favorite campground!

I stayed on July 13th, one of the last nights of 2025. The ranger mentioned that they were closing early this season because of the cockroach issues. I had no problem with them at all. I saw a couple of tiny little guys in the morning but nothing like other people have reported in previous reviews. I bike packed all my gear in, and set up camp in a shady spot under trees. Great camping spot overal... I stayed on July 13th, one of the last nights of 2025. The ranger mentioned that they were closing early this season because of the cockroach issues. I had no problem with them at all. I saw a couple of tiny little guys in the morning but nothing like other people have reported in previous reviews. I bike packed all my gear in, and set up camp in a shady spot under trees. Great camping spot overall. Bathrooms with flushing water. Fresh drinking water available very close to the campsites. Would recommend!

There are 20 tent sites spread across four loops. There is NO beach access. Some sites have shelters, others do not. Pay attention when reserving. All sites have a fire pit and picnic table. Sites are walk-in (only about ¼ mile) and carts are available to haul gear. Two water spigots and bathrooms with flush toilets are also on-premise. No electric, hook-ups, or showers. The nearby beaches have ou... There are 20 tent sites spread across four loops. There is NO beach access. Some sites have shelters, others do not. Pay attention when reserving. All sites have a fire pit and picnic table. Sites are walk-in (only about ¼ mile) and carts are available to haul gear. Two water spigots and bathrooms with flush toilets are also on-premise. No electric, hook-ups, or showers. The nearby beaches have outdoor shower facilities though. The racoons are fierce. They will eat through your tent. Use the bear lockers provided to store anything scented. Activities abound: hit the beaches for (non-motorized) water sports or sunbathing (Gunnison is the nude beach), learn about the military history of the area on an NPS tour, visit the oldest working lighthouse in the US, walk or bike the multi-use trails, go birding, and more! Nearby Hartshorne Woods Park (Monmouth County Park System) has great hiking and mountain bike trails too.