Deborah Chan
Island Beach State Park is a preserved barrier island in New Jersey, offering close to ten miles of beach, dense forests, sand dunes, and tidal marshes. The park is open daily, with hours that vary by season and holidays. During the summer, the park is open from 7 am to 8 pm, while during the rest of the year, it opens at 8 am and closes at dusk. The park offers a range of recreational activities, including swimming, fishing, kayaking, and nature programs. Visitors should note that there is no camping or alcoholic beverages permitted in the park, and it is important to follow the rules regarding wildlife, such as not feeding the foxes. With its diverse natural habitats and opportunities for outdoor activities, Island Beach State Park attracts many visitors seeking a blend of nature and history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern terminus of Route 35, New Jersey |
| Opening Times | 8 am - 8 pm (or dusk) |
| Summer Opening Times | 7 am - 8 pm (or dusk) |
| Entry Fee | $5/NJ Resident, $10/Non-Resident |
| Summer Entry Fee | $5/Motorcyclists, $7/Non-Resident Motorcyclists |
| Vehicle Entry Fee | $5/day |
| Bus Entry Fee | Arranged in advance with park management |
| Activities | Swimming, saltwater fishing, scuba diving, surfing, sailing, horseback riding, birdwatching, wildlife tours, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding |
| Prohibited Activities | Alcohol, camping, feeding wildlife |
| Wildlife | Foxes, ospreys, piping plovers, falcons, wading birds |
| Plants | Over 400 species |
| Infrastructure | Under improvement as of December 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
The park's hours, fees, and rules
The main gate of Island Beach State Park typically opens at 7 am during summer weekends and holidays, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. On other days of the year, the park opens at 8 am. The park closes at 8 pm or at dusk, depending on the time of year.
The park can get very crowded during the summer weekends and holidays. Once all the parking spaces are occupied, no more vehicles are allowed to enter.
There is a per-vehicle entry fee when you enter the park. The fee for motorcyclists is $5.00 ($7.00 for non-residents) every day of the year. If you walk in or drive in on your bicycle, there is no fee. Buses can enter the park for a fee (except on weekends and holidays), but these trips need to be arranged in advance with park management. The entrance fee the day after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day is $5 for New Jersey residents and $10 for non-residents.
A three-day permit for a New Jersey resident to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle on the beach is $75.00 and $90.00 for a non-resident. An annual permit for New Jersey residents is $195.00, and $225.00 for non-residents. These permits allow access to designated areas of the beach for the sole purpose of fishing.
Saltwater fishing is permitted along the ocean beach, except for designated swimming areas. Anglers 16 and older must register for the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. Canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards can be launched at bay side Area 15 and Area 21 only. There is no oceanside canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding.
Dogs are permitted in the park but must be kept on a leash that is a maximum of six feet in length. They are not allowed on the swimming beach during the summer season or on the Spizzle Creek Bird Blind Trail at any time.
Alcoholic beverages, camping, and feeding animals are not allowed in the park.
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Activities and tours
Island Beach State Park in New Jersey offers a range of activities and tours for visitors to enjoy. The park is known for its natural beauty, featuring rolling sand dunes, salt-sculpted vegetation, and lush green salt marshes. Here are some of the activities and tours you can experience:
Activities
- Swimming: The park has two lifeguarded beaches on the ocean side, where you can take a dip in the ocean and enjoy the water.
- Fishing: Saltwater fishing is permitted along the ocean beach, except for designated swimming areas. All anglers 16 and older must register for the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. The Fisherman's Walkway provides access to both the ocean and bay and is a convenient spot for fishing.
- Boating: You can bring your boat to the park and launch it at bay side Area 15 and Area 21. Canoes and kayaks are also allowed in these areas, and you can explore the Sedge Islands Marine Conservation Zone, which offers a unique view of the wildlife and natural habitats.
- Surfing: Surfing is allowed during the summer months, south of the swimming beaches. Windsurfing is also permitted in marked areas at the extreme southern end of the designated swimming area.
- Sunbathing: With its clean, white beaches, the park offers a great opportunity for sunbathing and relaxation.
- Wildlife Observation: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including New Jersey's largest osprey colony, falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Bird observation blinds and guided canoe and kayak tours through the Sedge Islands allow for excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Clamming and Crabbing: The Bayside of the park is a popular spot for clamming, crabbing, and surf fishing.
- Education Programs: Island Beach State Park offers educational programs and field trips for students to learn about organisms, habitats, communities, and ecosystems. The first part of the field trip involves exploring the shallow intertidal zone of Barnegat Bay using a sein net.
Tours
- Guided Kayak Tours: During the summer months, guided kayak tours are offered through the Sedge Islands, where you can observe nesting ospreys, falcons, and a variety of wading birds.
- Sedge Islands Marine Conservation Zone: This zone encompasses approximately 1,600 acres of tidal marshes, creeks, ponds, and open water. Visitors can access this area by canoe and kayak, and tours are provided by the park's interpretive staff.
- The Emily DeCamp Herbarium: This herbarium features a collection of approximately 400 classified and preserved plants, representing the nine plant communities found at Island Beach State Park. Visitors can handle and examine individual plants and learn about their historical and factual information.
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Wildlife and plant life
Island Beach State Park is a preserved barrier island that protects a number of natural shoreline and nearshore habitats. The park is divided into two areas: the Island Beach Northern Natural Area and the Southern Natural Area. Together, these two natural areas encompass one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches in the northeast United States.
The park contains close to ten miles of sandy beaches, an extensive shoreline along Barnegat Bay, dense maritime forests, rolling sand dunes, and tidal marshes. The Sedge Islands Marine Conservation Zone, located within the park, contains approximately 1,600 acres of highly productive tidal marshes, creeks, ponds, and open water.
Island Beach State Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including foxes, ospreys, peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and migrating songbirds. The federally threatened piping plover is an occasional inhabitant of the open beaches and dunes. The park also offers excellent fishing opportunities, with species such as striped bass, bluefish, summer flounder, and weakfish found in the area.
The park is known for its rich plant life, with over 400 species identified. The Emily DeCamp Herbarium houses a collection of approximately 400 plants that have been classified and preserved, providing an opportunity to learn about the nine plant communities found within the park. These plant communities include primary dunes, thicket, freshwater wetlands, maritime forest, and tidal marshes. The dominant vegetation type in the park is Northern Cordgrass, with a dominant vegetation form of Coastal Prairie.
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Infrastructure improvements
Island Beach State Park, administered by the New Jersey State Park Service, is one of New Jersey's last remnants of a barrier island ecosystem. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant communities, including the federally threatened piping plover. It offers various recreational activities such as saltwater fishing, swimming, kayaking, and nature tours.
As of the week of December 2, 2024, infrastructure improvements are underway at Island Beach State Park along the main road. This project involves work within the northbound lane, starting approximately one mile into the park and extending to the nature center. The project is expected to be completed by April 2025 and will result in intermittent lane closures.
The infrastructure improvements are focused on enhancing the visitor experience and preserving the natural environment. The scope of work may include road resurfacing, improving drainage systems, and upgrading signage to ensure safer and more efficient access to the park. Additionally, there may be enhancements to parking areas, such as expanding capacity or improving accessibility for all visitors.
The improvements also aim to protect the park's natural resources and unique ecosystem. This could involve implementing measures to manage stormwater runoff, minimize erosion, and promote the conservation of the fragile barrier island environment. The work will be carried out with careful consideration to minimize any disruption to the park's wildlife and plant communities.
The infrastructure improvements at Island Beach State Park are part of a broader commitment to invest in the state's parks and recreational areas. By undertaking these enhancements, the park aims to provide better access, ensure visitor safety, and preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the area for current and future generations to enjoy.
It is important to note that during this period of infrastructure improvements, the park remains open to visitors. However, guests are advised to check for any updates or advisories before their visit and to expect intermittent lane closures along the main road.
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Contact information
Island Beach State Park is open. The park's main gate typically opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. or dusk. During summer weekends and holidays, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, the park opens at 7 a.m.
The Island Beach State Park office can be contacted by phone at (732) 793-0506 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The mailing address for the park is:
> P.O. Box 37
> Seaside Park, NJ 08752
The GPS coordinates for the park are:
> 39° 54’ 18.98” N
> 74° 04′ 53.15″ W
If you are interested in driving a vehicle on the beach, you should contact the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association. For information on horseback riding, contact the park office.
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Frequently asked questions
The main gate of Island Beach State Park typically opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. or dusk. During summer weekends and holidays, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, the park opens at 7 a.m.
Island Beach State Park offers a variety of recreational activities. Visitors can go swimming, surfing, sailboarding, scuba diving, saltwater fishing, and recreational horseback riding. The park also features a boardwalk called the Fisherman's Walkway, which provides access to both the ocean and the bay. Visitors can also observe wildlife, including ospreys, falcons, wading birds, foxes, and more than 400 species of plants.
Yes, there are several rules and restrictions in place at Island Beach State Park. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited, and there is no camping allowed. Visitors should not feed any animals, and dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet. In addition, vehicles are not permitted north of the Gilikins entrance, and a permit is required to drive a 4-wheel vehicle on the beach for surf fishing.
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