Gunnison Beach

Washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Gunnison Beach is a beach that is difficult to fault. It is situated within Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. Its views include those of Verrazano Narrows Bridge, connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn, New York. During the summer months there are even direct ferry services between Manhattan and Gunnison Beach, making it popular with residents of the Big Apple.

Known to some as Beach G, lifeguards keep watch over swimmers, surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers between the federal holidays of Memorial Day on the last Monday of May and Labor Day on the first Monday of September. No pets are allowed onto Gunnison Beach during the same period to protect nesting birds including native species of plover.

Other reasons to head to Gunnison Beach include eight kilometres of paths for walkers, runners and cyclists. There is also the historic Fort Hancock to explore, alongside the oldest working lighthouse in the US, which can be toured between April and December.

Roughly half of Gunnison Beach is clothing-optional, with signs clearly warning beachgoers. It is the only legal nudist beach in the state of New Jersey, and also the largest on the US east coast. 

Open from dawn to dusk each day, there are toilet and shower facilities during the summer. Alcohol is prohibited.