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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook.
Rates, Sites & Availability
18 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
18 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
Josh F
VerifiedJuly 18, 2023 • Stayed at: D13, Loop: Dune Grass
The campsites are pretty good and well situated. Each site should have its own stand-alone pavilion. Even outdoor showers will go a long way toward making it a better camping experience. There are way too many raccoons moving around where humans eat and prepare food, including on top of the picnic tables, which is a dangerous situation begging for your campers to ingest a roundworm or other parasite that raccoons carry around on their feet. I spoke about this to a young man wearing a park police unform, gun, and badge who was walking around the campsites. His response to my concern about the overpopulated raccoons was outrageous: He actually said there are too many humans and that killing the raccoons would not be "humane." I don't know where you hire your staff from, but that guy should be fired and replaced with an intelligent person who cares about the park visitors. Sandy Hook is becoming a biological danger zone from these artificially overabundant pests that spread disease. Some of your staff are not willing to take the necessary steps to fix the situation, and in fact they are blaming the human visitors for being there as the problem. Unreal. My tax dollars are NOT fully at work here. I expect the National Park Service to operate far more professionally than this.
Allison M
VerifiedJuly 18, 2023 • Stayed at: D13, Loop: Dune Grass
My son and I had an excellent experience. Everyone there was nice, rangers and campers. The raccoons truly have no fear of humans and even being being extremely aware of where we were eating and not dropping food, they were still in abundance at night.
The bathrooms were very clean, it would be awesome if they installed some type of shower (even outdoor one!), instead of relying on the ones by the beach.
The sunsets are amazing. If you can, bring bikes as sandy hook is extremely bike friendly.
Allison M
VerifiedJuly 18, 2023 • Stayed at: D13, Loop: Dune Grass
My son and I had an excellent experience. Everyone there was nice, rangers and campers. The raccoons truly have no fear of humans and even being being extremely aware of where we were eating and not dropping food, they were still in abundance at night.
The bathrooms were very clean, it would be awesome if they installed some type of shower (even outdoor one!), instead of relying on the ones by the beach.
The sunsets are amazing. If you can, bring bikes as sandy hook is extremely bike friendly.
Jessica E
VerifiedJuly 17, 2023 • Stayed at: A01, Loop: Ajax
Camp Gateway was fantastic! Our campsite was right across from the bay, so both the location and the campsite itself were wonderful. The rangers were helpful and the site was clean and well managed. Thanks for a great stay!
Jessica E
VerifiedJuly 17, 2023 • Stayed at: A01, Loop: Ajax
Camp Gateway was fantastic! Our campsite was right across from the bay, so both the location and the campsite itself were wonderful. The rangers were helpful and the site was clean and well managed. Thanks for a great stay!
Kathleen S
VerifiedJuly 16, 2023 • Stayed at: A01, Loop: Ajax
Gateway is a great place to camp. The campground is very because there are no cars allowed on the site. The deer, racoons, foxes and turtles are regular visitors. The sites are set up with ample space. The rangers are super nice and helpful. The only thing that would make the campsite perfect are some private showers.
Kathleen S
VerifiedJuly 16, 2023 • Stayed at: A01, Loop: Ajax
Gateway is a great place to camp. The campground is very because there are no cars allowed on the site. The deer, racoons, foxes and turtles are regular visitors. The sites are set up with ample space. The rangers are super nice and helpful. The only thing that would make the campsite perfect are some private showers.
Josh F
VerifiedJuly 14, 2023 • Stayed at: C11, Loop: Cannonball
Overall the NPS rangers are very patient, personable, friendly and helpful. The campsites are excellent and clean. The bathrooms need help just because they are getting old, and obviously showers of any sort, even a rustic outdoor shower, would be a proper addition. Too many raccoons, foxes, and deer, all of which interfere in the camping experience.
Josh F
VerifiedJuly 14, 2023 • Stayed at: D15, Loop: Dune Grass
Nice big pavilion at this campsite. Every campsite should have a pavilion like this.
Josh F
VerifiedJuly 14, 2023 • Stayed at: D15, Loop: Dune Grass
Nice big pavilion at this campsite. Every campsite should have a pavilion like this.
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
