About Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook
Number of accommodations: 18
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Birding
Hiking
Kayaking
Swimming
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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18 Sites Available
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Reviews (221)
What Guests Are Saying
Camp Gateway at Sandy Hook offers a beautiful and well-maintained campground with various activities, including hiking, biking, and fishing. Visitors appreciate the helpful rangers, clean facilities, and proximity to the beach and bay. While some noted minor inconveniences like limited parking and a lack of showers, the overall experience is positive, with many eager to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Camp Gateway at Sandy Hook offers a beautiful and well-maintained campground with various activities, including hiking, biking, and fishing. Visitors appreciate the helpful rangers, clean facilities, and proximity to the beach and bay. While some noted minor inconveniences like limited parking and a lack of showers, the overall experience is positive, with many eager to return.
Review Summary
Allan R
VerifiedJune 7, 2022 • Stayed at: B07, Loop: Beach Plum
Great camping so close to a metropolitan area.
Marisa M
VerifiedJune 7, 2022 • Stayed at: E20, Loop: Endicott
I liked our tent site the best out of all of the other locations (e20) however the fact that you can’t park your car- or even drive down to simply unload your car then move it- was VERY inconvenient. It was almost 100 degrees when we went and walking back and forth down that long road to the farthest tent site was very arduous. The site was also filled with this red sand that I’ve never seen in NJ. We had a very hard time getting it off our hands and feet. Unfortunately we will not be returning for those reasons.
Allan R
VerifiedJune 7, 2022 • Stayed at: B07, Loop: Beach Plum
Great camping so close to a metropolitan area.
Aiien B
VerifiedOctober 15, 2021 • Stayed at: D13, Loop: Dune Grass
Lots of historic places around. Have to bring your own fire wood. It's very peaceful.
Aiien B
VerifiedOctober 15, 2021 • Stayed at: D13, Loop: Dune Grass
Lots of historic places around. Have to bring your own fire wood. It's very peaceful.
michael h
VerifiedOctober 7, 2021 • Stayed at: A03, Loop: Ajax
Love this place! Proximity to beach is great. When wind is calm you can hear the waves at night from some camp sites. You can also hear people loudly practicing co-ed tent wrestling at like 10am from like 50 yards away, apparently. Anyways I had set up for 1 night on 9/29/21 and loved the location so much I immediately went onto website and booked 2nd night and wished a 3rd and 4th were available. Bear boxes were great but I kept food in the car. Only raccoon I saw was super scared in the dumpster the next morning (I left tree branch in there and note on trailer in hopes rangers could help him escape..) but I heard that they got into someone's food and left big mess that morning (10/1). Bathroom was clean enough but watch out for spiders and such. Portopotty near parking lot was pretty clean, and likely prevents day time path users looking for quick relief from messing up real bathrooms in campground. Carts can be limited so make sure to bring it back to entrance before setting up gear you just brought to your site... Lots of birds and birders, and bike riders, so watch when crossing paths and roads! Quiet hours after 10pm but some people def had radio kinda loud until midnight but they were like four culdesacs away. Kinda rude but wind in trees drowned it out mostly for me...Fire pit and grills were both in good working order and useful. The two rangers that I encountered could not have been any nicer, and seems anyone who picks up the phone is really nice too. Can't wait to return in spring for like a week! Atlantic Highlands is like 15 mins away and lots of food options, some of which might even deliver to camp... Oh and bring your own wood bought in NJ, site is was not selling any supplies. Perhaps that maybe change in the spring but you should bring like 3 little bundles per night at least. I plan to bring bags to help clean up beaches next visit, as after just two nights I felt attached to this place a lot!
michael h
VerifiedOctober 7, 2021 • Stayed at: A03, Loop: Ajax
Love this place! Proximity to beach is great. When wind is calm you can hear the waves at night from some camp sites. You can also hear people loudly practicing co-ed tent wrestling at like 10am from like 50 yards away, apparently. Anyways I had set up for 1 night on 9/29/21 and loved the location so much I immediately went onto website and booked 2nd night and wished a 3rd and 4th were available. Bear boxes were great but I kept food in the car. Only raccoon I saw was super scared in the dumpster the next morning (I left tree branch in there and note on trailer in hopes rangers could help him escape..) but I heard that they got into someone's food and left big mess that morning (10/1). Bathroom was clean enough but watch out for spiders and such. Portopotty near parking lot was pretty clean, and likely prevents day time path users looking for quick relief from messing up real bathrooms in campground. Carts can be limited so make sure to bring it back to entrance before setting up gear you just brought to your site... Lots of birds and birders, and bike riders, so watch when crossing paths and roads! Quiet hours after 10pm but some people def had radio kinda loud until midnight but they were like four culdesacs away. Kinda rude but wind in trees drowned it out mostly for me...Fire pit and grills were both in good working order and useful. The two rangers that I encountered could not have been any nicer, and seems anyone who picks up the phone is really nice too. Can't wait to return in spring for like a week! Atlantic Highlands is like 15 mins away and lots of food options, some of which might even deliver to camp... Oh and bring your own wood bought in NJ, site is was not selling any supplies. Perhaps that maybe change in the spring but you should bring like 3 little bundles per night at least. I plan to bring bags to help clean up beaches next visit, as after just two nights I felt attached to this place a lot!
Bettina B
October 6, 2021
Great fun observing wildlife, swimming, tanning, and camping!
Bettina B
October 6, 2021
From animal-proof lock box for food to carts to transport belongings from car to covered picnic table area, this campground offers amenities which enhance the camping experience. The beaches at Sandy Hook are beautiful and the views are magnificent on both the bay side and the ocean side. I will bring my kayak next time I camp here and go on the bay
Joseph A
VerifiedOctober 6, 2021 • Stayed at: E20, Loop: Endicott
Clean open spaces. Good location. Restrooms well maintained Lots of hikes fishing swimming and water sports in area
Location Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook
Address:
Camp Gateway Sandy Hook
Highlands, NJ, 07732
United States
From North Jersey and New York: South on the New Jersey Turnpike, Exit 11 onto the Garden State Parkway (South), Exit 117 (Keyport/Hazlet). After toll, bear left and follow Route 36 East 12 miles to park entrance (after crossing the Highlands Bridge). Stay right to enter the park.
From South Jersey: North on Garden State Parkway, Exit 105 (Eatontown), bear left for Route 36 East. Continue on Route 36 East, pass Monmouth Mall and across Route 35 through Eatontown and Long Branch (Route 36 is called Joline Avenue here). Continue on Route 36, which turns left and follows north along ocean (Route 36 is called Ocean Blvd. here). North for six miles through the towns of Long Branch, Monmouth Beach and Sea Bright to park.
From Philadelphia & Camden, New Jersey: New Jersey Turnpike north to Exit 7A (Shore Points) onto I-195, East on I-195 to Garden State Parkway north, GSP north to Exit 105 (Eatontown). Then follow "From South Jersey" directions above.
For directions by bus or ferry please go to www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/directions.htm .
Latitude & Longitude: 40.4501 / -73.9951
Elevation: 4 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
12PM
Check out time
10AM
- For late arrivals, obtain your parking pass before 9:00 p.m. to avoid ticketing.
- Visit the provided website for more information about the area.
Wildlife & food storage
- Expect to see Tawny Field Cockroaches between July and October, but they are harmless.
- Keep food and scented items stored in provided lockers to avoid raccoon encounters.
Pets
- Alcohol, smoking, and pets are not allowed in the campground.
Site types & loops
- Only tent camping is allowed; RVs and car camping are not permitted.
Amenities
- Restrooms with flushable toilets and sinks are available, but no showers.
Cancellation policy
- You must be at least 18 years old to reserve a campsite and have at least one adult per site.
Safety & rules
- Overnight camping only; day-use is not allowed.
- There are no electric hookups and generators are not allowed.
Vehicles & parking
- One vehicle per campsite is allowed, with limited parking available.
Fires & fuel
- Buy firewood at check-in; outside wood and collecting wood in the park are not allowed.
Fees & deposits
- Parking fees apply from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day; fees are required in designated lots.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 3, 2026
