Key facts
| Country | United States (Sandy Hook, Middletown Township, New Jersey) |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport | Newark Liberty (EWR), roughly an hour by road |
| Best time | June to September |
| Type | Public beach on National Park Service land |
| Adults only | No — a public beach |
| Clothing | Clothing-optional by long tradition; not officially designated but not prohibited |
| Best months | June–September |
Gunnison Beach, officially Beach G at Sandy Hook, is the clothing-optional beach of the New York and New Jersey region. It sits near the northern tip of the Sandy Hook peninsula, inside the Sandy Hook unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, and looks across the water to Brooklyn and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. It is widely described as the largest clothing-optional beach on the East Coast, drawing thousands of people on a hot summer weekend.
Why nudity is allowed here
In 1999 New Jersey passed a law allowing towns to ban nudity on state and local beaches. Gunnison is different because it is on federal land managed by the National Park Service, so state and local nudity rules do not apply there. The Park Service's position is precise: the beach is not officially designated clothing-optional, but there is no prohibition against it, and the park acknowledges the long history of nude use and posts signs so that unsuspecting visitors know what to expect. In practice that makes Gunnison New Jersey's only legal clothing-optional beach.
Who it suits
- Naturists in the New York metro area who want a legal, sociable nude beach.
- Couples and friends looking for an easy day trip from Manhattan by ferry.
- First-timers, since the beach is large and has a mixed, friendly crowd of all ages and backgrounds.
It is a public national park beach, not a lifestyle venue.
Best time to go
The beach season runs from late spring to early autumn. July and August weekends are the busiest, and Sandy Hook's parking lots can fill and close early on hot days. Weekdays and September are quieter. The water is coldest in June.
Getting there
- By ferry: From May through September, a seasonal ferry runs from Manhattan to the Sandy Hook ferry landing, with a free shuttle to the beaches. It is the most relaxing way to arrive from New York City; check the operator's timetable.
- By car: Sandy Hook is reached via Route 36 in Highlands, New Jersey. Park in Lot G. A beach parking fee is charged in summer.
- By air: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is roughly an hour's drive away.
From Lot G, a short walk past the old Battery Gunnison, a coastal artillery emplacement completed in 1904, leads to the beach.
Facilities
In the peak season there are restrooms and showers near Lot G. Lifeguard coverage at Sandy Hook's beaches varies by season and day, so check with the Park Service and swim only where and when lifeguards are on duty. Bring shade; there are no trees on the sand.
Etiquette and rules
- No photography of other beachgoers. Keep phones away from people.
- No sexual behaviour. It is illegal and gets people removed; rangers patrol the area.
- Respect protected areas. Parts of Sandy Hook are nesting grounds for the threatened piping plover and are fenced off in season. Stay out of them.
- Cover up when you leave the beach for the parking area and ferry.
Safety
Ocean currents off Sandy Hook can be strong, especially near the tip of the peninsula; do not swim far out. Sunburn is the most common injury on any nude beach, so apply sunscreen everywhere and reapply after swimming. Keep valuables to a minimum.
Nearby
Sandy Hook also has a historic lighthouse, Fort Hancock and cycling paths. For other US nude beaches, compare Haulover Beach in Miami and Black's Beach in San Diego. Browse members in the United States and naturist places in the US.