Gunnison Beach is one of the best bets along the New Jersey shoreline. Located on Sandy Hook peninsula, it is part of Gateway National Park and is maintained by the National Parks Department. Although many know the clothing optional beach exists, few visit as perception of another crowded, over-developed jersey beach looms larger than the reality of an amazingly undeveloped and beautiful Atlantic Highlands shoreline. Gunnison Beach is on the list of environmentally friendly Federal Clean Beaches. Water quality has been rated outstanding for the past few years. If you prefer a clothing optional alternative and have not visited Gunnison in the past five years, I recommend placing it on your short list of day-escapes.

The Beach

Sandy Hook has eight beach areas managed by the Parks Department. The Department of the Federal Interior recognizes the Gunnison section as a clothing optional beach. There is a $10 daily parking fee (season passes discounted) controlling access and overcrowding. On sunny weekend days Sandy Hook parking is often “sold-out” by late morning. Most weekdays the attendance is much smaller and the pace is exceptionally peaceful. Parks Rangers actively patrol and lifeguards are on duty most of the day. One food vendor is approved to set up on the beach. There are no chair/umbrella rentals.

The 10 minute walk from Parking Lot G to the Gunnison Beach section passes a cluster of restrooms (clean and stocked) and a section of outdoor showerheads. The path to the beach follows along a wooden walkway. The undeveloped beachfront is staggering – almost 200 yards wide from the grassy dunes to the water, and wider than you can view. As other parts of the New Jersey shoreline have lost significant sand over the past decade, Sandy Hook continues to grow wider. Hard to imagine the beach closely resembles what you might find along Indian Point DE or even the Outerbanks of NC.

The Water

The surf is unusually calm, the result of several series of sandbars off of the shoreline. At morning high tide there was plenty of room to swim at the shore edge. At afternoon low tide the chest-deep water lead out to the shallow sandbars. We were walking 100 yards out in ankle-deep water. People were setting up their chairs out in the water, many walked there and mingled around. This cheap thrill - looking back at the shoreline is quite an amazing sight. The water was exceptionally clean; we went for a swim a few times throughout the day, and there was no fishy odor after drying off. We saw a few harmless 3-inch jellyfish passing but little else. The water temperature was very comfortable and refreshing, and during low tide the shallower waters became Caribbean warm.

The Crowd

We arrived late morning and found a peaceful group of older couples and singles (sandy acquaintances) already set-up in their regular positions. You can easily tell who the regulars are – they transport their gear in beach buggy-wheelbarrows. We dropped our gear and easily merged into the small crowd. As the morning fog burned-off, the stream of visitors increased. By mid-afternoon there were 300 people on the beach, but it didn’t feel crowded. There were plenty of people remaining on the beach at 6pm when we left. The mix includes all ages and lifestyles- couples ages ranging from 20’s to 70’s, several with children joining in, many single men and single women. Most people doing their own thing, and a few energetic personalities playing volleyball, others surrounded by friends and activity. Virtually everyone was nude - only a few “option” to cover-up. Conversation is easy; people are friendly yet no one stands out in the modest respect of shared privacy.

Friends of Gunnison
Sandy Hook Beach Patrol
Directions / Map