GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA; SANDY HOOK:
MIDDLETOWN, NEW JERSEY
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last
Updated: August
21, 2025
Length: Peninsula Trail; 6.3 miles
Ocean Ave Trail; 1.6 miles
North Beach Loop Trail; 0.6 miles
Historic Post Loop Trail; 1.3 mile Loop
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved trails.
Directions:
To Start from Lot A in Sandy Hook Gateway NRA [Southern End]; From Route 36 take the Sandy Hook exit to Hartshorne Dr. Just past the entrance gate is parking Lot A which has NO FEE. You can also continue north to Fort Hancock for free parking. All Beach parking has a Fee.
The Gateway National Recreation Area is a large diverse urban park with 27,000 acres spanning Sandy Hook in N.J. and Jamaica Bay and Staten Island in N.Y. It offers green spaces, beaches, wildlife and outdoor recreation, all alongside historic structures and cultural landscapes. The Gateway National Recreation Area; Sandy Hook includes the paved Peninsula Trail that travels from the intersection of Ocean Ave & Navesink Ave (Highlands Reach Bridge), North, through Sandy Hook Peninsula to Fort Hancock. From the Southern End of the Peninsula Trail you can access the Ocean Ave Trail, which travels South, between the beach and road. For more information visit; GATEWAY NRA; SANDY HOOK .
Peninsula Trail:
Starting from Navesink Ave-Ocean Ave-Hartshorne Dr [Southern End]; From the Eastern Side of the Southern Pedestrian Bridge which crosses over Ocean Ave/Navesink Ave (Route 36) to the Highlands Reach Bridge [One-Way Eastbound], the paved Peninsula Trail heads North. I haven't checked out this section.
Note; Heading South, the narrow paved Ocean Ave Trail travels between Ocean Ave and a stone seawall for 1.6 miles. I haven't checked out this section.
Heading North, the Peninsula Trail travels between Hartshorne Dr and the beach. Quickly come to a Map Board and the Northern Pedestrian Bridge.
Note; You can connect to the Henry Hudson Trail in Highlands by heading across the Northern Pedestrian Bridge over Hartshorne Dr/Ocean Ave. [Not recommended for kids on bikes] This brings you to the on-ramp for the Highlands Reach Bridge [One-Way Westbound]. Here a BIKE LANE (sidewalk available) takes you West, across the bridge over Highlands Reach. After crossing, you turn right down to S. Bay Ave at 0.6 miles. Head left, along Bay Ave and quickly cross left to Shore Dr [One-Way Northbound]. Travel Northwest, on-road (low traffic) and Shore Dr quickly becomes 2-Way. Continue on-road [Not recommended for kids on bikes] along this somewhat busy road. Come to the Henry Hudson Trail parking lot after 2.1 miles.
Pass by a green 0.25 Mile Marker. I would assume these are located every 0.25 Miles along the trail. Pass by the entrance gate and come to Parking Lot A after 0.5 miles. Pass by Parking Lot B (South Beach) where you can find restrooms, vending machines and picnic tables. Parking Lot C (South Beach) more facilities, Parking Lot D (Jersey Beach) at 2.4 miles, Parking Lot E (South Beach) at 2.7 miles. The trail pulls away from the beach and travels through scrubland. Cross an entrance road that leads to Nike Missile Site NY-56 at 3 miles. Come to Parking Lot L (Nike Missile Site NY-56) after 4 miles. Enter Fort Hancock and cross over Magruder Rd at 5 miles where you'll find the Guardian Park Parking Lot on your right and Guardian Park (Nike Missiles) on your left. I've checked out this next section. Trail now travels North, between Sandy Hook Bay on your left and Hartshorne Dr on your right. Across the road are all the old historic yellow brick military buildings and Parade Grounds. Pass by a Map Board as you now follow S Bragg Dr Northeast, inland. Pass by Battery Porter, cross Ford Rd and come to Parking Lot J and an *Intersection at 6 miles. The trail continues left, North, past Parking Lot K and alongside the Nine Gun Battery. Come to Parking Lot M, where you'll find a Map Board, BIKE STATION, Porto-Potty and the 6.25 Mile Marker.
Note; Right, North, a hard packed dirt & grass Spur Trail quickly brings you to Battery Peck & Engle and a scenic overlook. I haven't checked out this section.
Retrace your route back to the Parking Lot J *Intersection. Travel South, alongside Ford Rd and quickly come to another **Intersection for the North Beach Trail & Historic Post Loop Trail.
North Beach Loop:
From the **Intersection, the North Beach Trail travels left, East, past the Sandy Hook Proving Grounds then, South, past North Beach. Restrooms and Map Board. Then continue around Parking Lot I, West, out to Ford Rd and the Historic Post Trail Loop after 0.6 miles.
Historic Post Loop Trail:
From the **Intersection, the Historic Post Loop Trail travels straight, South, through scrubland, paralleling Ford Rd. Pass by the North Beach Trail on your left, just shy of 0.3 miles. Come to an intersection at 0.5 miles.
Note; If you continue straight, South, a paved Spur Trail will bring you to Gunnison Beach (Restrooms, refreshments, water fountain, Bike Station) and Gunnison Battery after 0.2 miles.
Head right, West, across Ford Rd and travel through more scrubland out to Hudson Rd, Battery McCook & another ***Intersection at 0.8 miles.
Note; From the ***Intersection, head left, South, past Battery McCook & Mortar Battery. Across the street is the Visitor Center (restrooms and museum) and Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Come to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse parking lot after 0.2 miles, where you'll find a BIKE STATION. You can continue South, on-road, along Magruder Rd (low traffic) returning to Guardian Park Parking Lot and the Peninsula Trail after 0.5 miles.
Cross Hudson Rd where the trail continues North, through scrubland to S Bragg Rd and the Peninsula Trail at 1.1 miles. You'll then continue right, Northeast, past Battery Porter, crossing Ford Rd and returning to Parking Lot J *Intersection. Travel South, alongside Ford Rd and come to the **Intersection after a 1.3 mile Loop.
HH
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT