Where Is Sandy Hook, New Jersey?

Sandy Hook is a barrier spit peninsula at the northern tip of the Jersey Shore, located in Middletown Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey—not in a municipality called "Sandy Hook."

Exact Location

• Coordinates: 40.467° N, 74.002° W
• Geography: 6-mile (9.7 km) narrow peninsula separating Lower New York Bay (north) from the Atlantic Ocean (east)
• Admin: Part of Gateway National Recreation Area (National Park Service) — Sandy Hook Unit
• Nearby towns: Highlands (west, across Shrewsbury River), Sea Bright (south, on barrier island)

What's There

• Sandy Hook Lighthouse (1764) – Oldest operating lighthouse in USA
• Fort Hancock – Historic US Army coast artillery post (1895–1974)
• Beaches: North Beach, Gunnison Beach (clothing-optional), Beach Areas B–E
• Marine sciences: NOAA James J. Howard Lab; Rutgers University Marine Field Station
• Birding: Major migratory stopover; 300+ species recorded
• Recreation: Biking (7-mi multi-use path), fishing, kayaking, camping (group only)

Access

• Car: NJ Route 36 → Gateway National Recreation Area entrance (fee: $20/vehicle summer weekends)
• Ferry: NYC (Wall St/Pier 11) → Sandy Hook (seasonal, 40 min)
• Bike: Henry Hudson Trail from Highlands

Common Confusion

People sometimes think "Sandy Hook, NJ" is a town—it's not. The mailing address for NPS facilities is Highlands, NJ 07732. The 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy occurred in Newtown, Connecticut—no relation.

Sandy Hook is a national park peninsula in Middletown Township, offering history, nature, and some of the best beaches near New York City.