Gunnison Beach

Gunnison Beach

About Gunnison Beach

Gunnison Beach is one of several beaches located on Sandy Hook, a six-mile-long peninsula at the north end of the New Jersey shore, extending into New York Harbor. Sandy Hook, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, 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 U.S. Park Ranger 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.

Gunnison Beach Directions

Garden State Parkway
Continue south on Garden State Parkway. (When Parkway divides, use either the Express or Local lanes, whichever is better for traffic conditions.) Take Exit 117 onto State Rt. 36 south (follow sign for Gateway National Recreation Area). Continue on Rt. 36 about 12 miles. Nearing the shore, watch for sign "Sandy Hook / Gateway National Recreation Area next right" just before a drawbridge. Immediately following the drawbridge, an exit ramp to the right crosses back over Rt. 36 into the park