When you think of America’s most visited national park, what comes to mind? Yellowstone? Perhaps the Grand Canyon? Both are major tourist draws but their visitation pales in comparison to a park that’s partially located in New Jersey. Based on a 2013 data study, Arizona’s Grand Canyon attracts around 4.4 million visitors each year; Yellowstone, which spans three states (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming) brings in around 3.4 million visitors.

The Gateway National Recreation Area brought in over 5 million tourists that year.

Wikipedia/NPS.gov Attendance was higher in previous years, topping 6 million, but dropped following Hurricane Sandy. The hurricane left portions of the park closed for months. Presently, the Gateway National Recreation area attracts nearly 10 million visitors annually.

The park sits on 27,000 acres and is comprised of three separate units.

Wikipedia/Padraic Ryan Its motto is: Many Places, One Park. The three units are the Jamaica Bay Unit, the Staten Island Unit and New Jersey’s own Sandy Hook Unit. The Jamaica Bay Unit includes Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Fort Tilden, Riis Park in Queens, Floyd Bennett Field and Canarsie Pier in Brooklyn. The Staten Island Unit includes Great Kills Park, Miller Field and Fort Wadsworth. The Sandy Hook Unit, my personal favorite, is concentrated in a single area but has many notable historic sites.

The Sandy Hook Unit brings in around 2,000,000 visitors annually.

Flickr/Andrew Leahey Here, you’ll find beautiful beaches, the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. The lighthouse is America’s oldest and has been in continuous operation since June 11, 1764. Free tours are available daily, hosted by national park rangers. Fort Hancock is another key area, allowing visitors to stroll past military barracks and old batteries.

Sandy Hook offers a well preserved peek into the past.

Flickr/Shawn Perez Battery Potter is a sight to see and the Nike Missile site cannot be missed. The park is a must visit for anyone interested in military history. It’s also just a beautiful place to spend a day. The events truly make this spot shine; on June 11th, enjoy a bike tour from 10 a.m. until noon, followed by a guided walking tour of the Nike Missile site; on June 14th, there will be a free concert on the beach. The 15th will play host to an astronomy event - the Stars of Sandy Hook - and you can enjoy a wildlife viewing adventure on June 22nd. Prefer a family-friendly campfire? Visit on June 23rd.

The park is also home to Gunnison Beach, New Jersey’s only clothing optional beach. However, the history and scenic beauty of this park are what I love most. For more information about this unique park, check out this article on Fort Hancock and this article about the Nike Missile site. For more details on the events mentioned, check out the “Gateway” page on the National Park Service website.

Wikipedia/NPS.gov

Attendance was higher in previous years, topping 6 million, but dropped following Hurricane Sandy. The hurricane left portions of the park closed for months. Presently, the Gateway National Recreation area attracts nearly 10 million visitors annually.

Wikipedia/Padraic Ryan

Its motto is: Many Places, One Park. The three units are the Jamaica Bay Unit, the Staten Island Unit and New Jersey’s own Sandy Hook Unit. The Jamaica Bay Unit includes Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Fort Tilden, Riis Park in Queens, Floyd Bennett Field and Canarsie Pier in Brooklyn. The Staten Island Unit includes Great Kills Park, Miller Field and Fort Wadsworth. The Sandy Hook Unit, my personal favorite, is concentrated in a single area but has many notable historic sites.

Flickr/Andrew Leahey

Here, you’ll find beautiful beaches, the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. The lighthouse is America’s oldest and has been in continuous operation since June 11, 1764. Free tours are available daily, hosted by national park rangers. Fort Hancock is another key area, allowing visitors to stroll past military barracks and old batteries.

Flickr/Shawn Perez

Battery Potter is a sight to see and the Nike Missile site cannot be missed. The park is a must visit for anyone interested in military history. It’s also just a beautiful place to spend a day. The events truly make this spot shine; on June 11th, enjoy a bike tour from 10 a.m. until noon, followed by a guided walking tour of the Nike Missile site; on June 14th, there will be a free concert on the beach. The 15th will play host to an astronomy event - the Stars of Sandy Hook - and you can enjoy a wildlife viewing adventure on June 22nd. Prefer a family-friendly campfire? Visit on June 23rd.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

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

The OIYS Visitor Center

state parks to visit in New Jersey February 08, 2022 Kim Magaraci What are the best state parks in New Jersey? There are so many state parks in New Jersey that you can find one for anyone to enjoy. For those who like peace and quiet, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest offers serene hikes through the pinelands. For seashore views and sandy toes, Island Beach State Park is the place to go. If you love hiking around waterfalls and scrambling up rocks for stunning views, Norvin Green State Forest will capture your heart. Love camping, kayaking, and hiking? Stokes State Forest is calling your name! Does New Jersey have any National Parks? New Jersey is home to some of the most visited National Parks in the country! Gateway National Recreation Area and Great Falls National Historical Park are both run by the National Park Service and offer plenty of stunning views and things to do. Other National Park Service spots in the state include Morristown National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, The National Wild And Scenic River At The Lower Delaware, and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. There are also National Recreation Trails that run through the state! Visit New Jersey’s NPS page to learn more about each of these spots. What are the best family-friendly things to do outside in New Jersey? New Jersey is a great place to get outside and explore with your family. Families with young kids will enjoy a day on the Ocean City boardwalk, or perhaps climbing the rock staircases at the Ted Stiles Preserve. If your kids love the beach, it’s hard to top a day at Sandy Hook! If you’re looking for a remote and unique place to camp, Jenny Jump State Forest might become your new favorite spot. And if science fascinates the family, visit Liberty State Park and the Liberty Science Center.

The OIYS Visitor Center

state parks to visit in New Jersey

February 08, 2022

Kim Magaraci

What are the best state parks in New Jersey? There are so many state parks in New Jersey that you can find one for anyone to enjoy. For those who like peace and quiet, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest offers serene hikes through the pinelands. For seashore views and sandy toes, Island Beach State Park is the place to go. If you love hiking around waterfalls and scrambling up rocks for stunning views, Norvin Green State Forest will capture your heart. Love camping, kayaking, and hiking? Stokes State Forest is calling your name! Does New Jersey have any National Parks? New Jersey is home to some of the most visited National Parks in the country! Gateway National Recreation Area and Great Falls National Historical Park are both run by the National Park Service and offer plenty of stunning views and things to do. Other National Park Service spots in the state include Morristown National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, The National Wild And Scenic River At The Lower Delaware, and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. There are also National Recreation Trails that run through the state! Visit New Jersey’s NPS page to learn more about each of these spots. What are the best family-friendly things to do outside in New Jersey? New Jersey is a great place to get outside and explore with your family. Families with young kids will enjoy a day on the Ocean City boardwalk, or perhaps climbing the rock staircases at the Ted Stiles Preserve. If your kids love the beach, it’s hard to top a day at Sandy Hook! If you’re looking for a remote and unique place to camp, Jenny Jump State Forest might become your new favorite spot. And if science fascinates the family, visit Liberty State Park and the Liberty Science Center.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Does New Jersey have any National Parks? New Jersey is home to some of the most visited National Parks in the country! Gateway National Recreation Area and Great Falls National Historical Park are both run by the National Park Service and offer plenty of stunning views and things to do. Other National Park Service spots in the state include Morristown National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, The National Wild And Scenic River At The Lower Delaware, and Thomas Edison National Historical Park. There are also National Recreation Trails that run through the state! Visit New Jersey’s NPS page to learn more about each of these spots.

What are the best family-friendly things to do outside in New Jersey? New Jersey is a great place to get outside and explore with your family. Families with young kids will enjoy a day on the Ocean City boardwalk, or perhaps climbing the rock staircases at the Ted Stiles Preserve. If your kids love the beach, it’s hard to top a day at Sandy Hook! If you’re looking for a remote and unique place to camp, Jenny Jump State Forest might become your new favorite spot. And if science fascinates the family, visit Liberty State Park and the Liberty Science Center.