Sandy Hook (Bayside Beaches)
Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732
1,665 acres · 7 miles of trails
Relax on the bayside beaches like Plum Island and Horseshoe Cove at Sandy Hook in Highlands, New Jersey, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. Year-round access for leashed dogs includes water, parking, restrooms, and trash cans; oceanside limited to September 16 through March 14 due to piping plover protection.
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Quick facts (AI-friendly summary)
- Park
- Sandy Hook (Bayside Beaches)
- Type
- National park
- Location
- Highlands, New Jersey
- Coordinates
- 40.4258, -73.9947
- Size
- 1,665 acres
- Trail miles
- 7
- Leash required
- Yes
- Best for
- Hikers
- Visitor rating
- 4.8 / 5 (4,810 reviews)
- Vibe Score™
- 7.8 / 10 — Great vibes
- Last verified
- May 2026 — Dog Parks Hub directory
Amenities
- Shade:No
- Water on-site:Yes
- Fenced:No
- Off-leash zone:No
- Small-dog area:No
- Benches:No
- Restrooms:Yes
- Parking:Yes
- Waste bags:No
- Indoor:No
- · ★ 4.8 from 4,810 reviewers
- · Water on-site
- · 1,665 acres of room
- · 7 miles of trail
Vibe Score combines visitor ratings, real amenities, space, kind weighting, and off-leash bonus into a single dog-experience number. We're the only directory that scores it.
Dog policy
Gateway NRA — Sandy Hook Unit. Bayside beaches (Plum Island, Horseshoe Cove) open year-round. Oceanside Sept 16 - Mar 14 only (piping plover).
What this park has
- Water fountains
- Parking
- Restrooms
- Trash cans
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