Everybody loves the beach, especially during the warmer months. But the beach is not just for sunbathing and water fun, there are also some amazing trails with lovely scenery. So hikers, don’t despair. We’ve rounded up the best hikes in New Jersey that are along the beach. Visit one today and get some great exercise. Then, if the weather is nice, catch some rays and even go for a dip in the ocean!

  1. Gateway National Recreation Area Loop

Tomasz Antczak/AllTrails Looking for a longer, harder beach trail? This hike is almost 11 miles long and gives great views of the NYC skyline. So if you live in the NYC area and have been searching online for “beach hiking trails near me,” your search is over. This is one of the most scenic hikes in New Jersey and is a great way to spend the day. So check it out today. Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit, 26 Hudson Rd, Highlands, NJ 07732, USA

  1. Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve Loop

Morgan DeWinne/AllTrails This trail is close to two miles long and offers great bird-watching opportunities. The trail is also one of the more kid-friendly hike around New Jersey. So grab the little ones and some binoculars and give it a try. Nature Reserve Blue Trail, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234, USA

  1. Henry Hudson Trail: Highlands to Aberdeen

EITHNE Notgiven/AllTrails This walk might be long (a whopping 28 miles!), but it’s a very easy one that lets you explore the beach. You will need a whole day to enjoy this one, so don’t forget to pack some water, food, and comfy walking shoes. Henry Hudson Trail County Park., Middletown Township, NJ 07748, USA

  1. Cape May Point Trail

Chris Sanfino/AllTrails Historical sites, a lighthouse, a lake, and a stunning beach all await you on this two-mile loop trail. This is one of the best easy hikes in New Jersey, so start planning your visit. Cape May Point, NJ, USA

  1. Barnegat Lighthouse Trail

Suzanne Tapper/AllTrails Barnegat Lighthouse is one of New Jersey’s most iconic attractions, so see it for yourself on this easy, two-mile beach walk. It’s worth it! You’ll see why it’s one of the best hikes in New Jersey. Lighthouse Drive, Lighthouse Dr, Ocean Acres, NJ, USA

  1. Island Beach State Park Loop Trail

Stephanie Warner/AllTrails Soak up the sun and sand on this hike, which is about three and a half miles long, in Seaside Park. It’s mostly a walk on the beach, which is perfect for summer! Read more about Island Beach State Park and then head on over. Island Beach State Park, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734, USA

  1. Sandy Hook Multi-Use Trail

Lynn McCormick/AllTrails This 10-mile hike takes you past Sandy Hook Beach, stunning wildflowers, a lighthouse, and Fort Hancock. You get nature and history on this trail! Check out this map of the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path and then calendar in your next visit. Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path, Middletown Township, NJ 07732, USA

These are some of the best hikes in New Jersey, and bonus, they are all along the beach. Which trail are you hitting up first?

Tomasz Antczak/AllTrails

Looking for a longer, harder beach trail? This hike is almost 11 miles long and gives great views of the NYC skyline. So if you live in the NYC area and have been searching online for “beach hiking trails near me,” your search is over. This is one of the most scenic hikes in New Jersey and is a great way to spend the day. So check it out today.

Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit, 26 Hudson Rd, Highlands, NJ 07732, USA

Morgan DeWinne/AllTrails

This trail is close to two miles long and offers great bird-watching opportunities. The trail is also one of the more kid-friendly hike around New Jersey. So grab the little ones and some binoculars and give it a try.

Nature Reserve Blue Trail, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234, USA

EITHNE Notgiven/AllTrails

This walk might be long (a whopping 28 miles!), but it’s a very easy one that lets you explore the beach. You will need a whole day to enjoy this one, so don’t forget to pack some water, food, and comfy walking shoes.

Henry Hudson Trail County Park., Middletown Township, NJ 07748, USA

Chris Sanfino/AllTrails

Historical sites, a lighthouse, a lake, and a stunning beach all await you on this two-mile loop trail. This is one of the best easy hikes in New Jersey, so start planning your visit.

Cape May Point, NJ, USA

Suzanne Tapper/AllTrails

Barnegat Lighthouse is one of New Jersey’s most iconic attractions, so see it for yourself on this easy, two-mile beach walk. It’s worth it! You’ll see why it’s one of the best hikes in New Jersey.

Lighthouse Drive, Lighthouse Dr, Ocean Acres, NJ, USA

Stephanie Warner/AllTrails

Soak up the sun and sand on this hike, which is about three and a half miles long, in Seaside Park. It’s mostly a walk on the beach, which is perfect for summer! Read more about Island Beach State Park and then head on over.

Island Beach State Park, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734, USA

Lynn McCormick/AllTrails

This 10-mile hike takes you past Sandy Hook Beach, stunning wildflowers, a lighthouse, and Fort Hancock. You get nature and history on this trail! Check out this map of the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path and then calendar in your next visit.

Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path, Middletown Township, NJ 07732, USA

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in New Jersey March 01, 2022 Jessica Bohl What are some scenic hikes in New Jersey? Beach hikes in New Jersey are amazing, but there are also some really scenic hikes in other parts of the state. Take, for instance, a hike through High Point State Park in Sussex. The monument in the park marks the highest point in New Jersey. And as such, it offers breathtaking views of not only New Jersey, but Pennsylvania and New York as well. There is also a gorgeous hike at Pyramid Mountain Park in Kennelon. There is a stunning lake, but also some unique and strange rock formations that make it truly special. Wharton State Forest in Hammonton offers almost 50 miles of trails through a beautiful, forested landscape. As an added bonus, a historic village highlighting the art of blacksmithing is located in the park. So you can enjoy a scenic hike, then a fascinating demonstration. For more beautiful hikes in New Jersey, check out this great article highlighting 11 great hiking spots.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in New Jersey

March 01, 2022

Jessica Bohl

What are some scenic hikes in New Jersey? Beach hikes in New Jersey are amazing, but there are also some really scenic hikes in other parts of the state. Take, for instance, a hike through High Point State Park in Sussex. The monument in the park marks the highest point in New Jersey. And as such, it offers breathtaking views of not only New Jersey, but Pennsylvania and New York as well. There is also a gorgeous hike at Pyramid Mountain Park in Kennelon. There is a stunning lake, but also some unique and strange rock formations that make it truly special. Wharton State Forest in Hammonton offers almost 50 miles of trails through a beautiful, forested landscape. As an added bonus, a historic village highlighting the art of blacksmithing is located in the park. So you can enjoy a scenic hike, then a fascinating demonstration. For more beautiful hikes in New Jersey, check out this great article highlighting 11 great hiking spots.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Beach hikes in New Jersey are amazing, but there are also some really scenic hikes in other parts of the state. Take, for instance, a hike through High Point State Park in Sussex. The monument in the park marks the highest point in New Jersey. And as such, it offers breathtaking views of not only New Jersey, but Pennsylvania and New York as well. There is also a gorgeous hike at Pyramid Mountain Park in Kennelon. There is a stunning lake, but also some unique and strange rock formations that make it truly special. Wharton State Forest in Hammonton offers almost 50 miles of trails through a beautiful, forested landscape. As an added bonus, a historic village highlighting the art of blacksmithing is located in the park. So you can enjoy a scenic hike, then a fascinating demonstration. For more beautiful hikes in New Jersey, check out this great article highlighting 11 great hiking spots.