Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook
Gateway National Recreation Area — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Highlands, NJ, NJ
Price: From $30 per night
Price range: $30–$150 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (110 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Welcome to Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit! There are a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities available at the park including history tours, living history demonstrations, hiking, birding, kayaking, camping, swimming, and biking. Sandy Hook is known for its beautiful beaches, the Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark, and the country’s oldest continuing working lighthouse.Between 05/23/2025 and 07/13/2025 this location is staffed.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/camp-gateway-sandy-hook to be notified when sites open up.
Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook offers 18 tent sites with fire rings, picnic tables, flush toilets, showers, and a boat launch. The area is known for beautiful beaches, historic Fort Hancock, the country's oldest continuing working lighthouse, and diverse recreational activities including hiking, birding, kayaking, and swimming.
Wildlife alert: Atlantic Common Seal, Bottlenose Dolphin, Humpback Whale, Great Black-backed Gull, Snowy Owl, Osprey, and Scarlet Tanager have been documented in the area.
Insider tips for Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook: Book early - federal campground with high demand Firewood available for purchase on-site Lifeguards on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for beach swimming
Skip Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook if: Need hookups - no hookups at most sites. Traveling outside Memorial Day through Labor Day - campground is seasonal. Prefer year-round camping access.
Best time to visit Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook: Memorial Day through Labor Day — Only operational season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Fort Tilden Picnic Pavilion (Queens, NY), Camp Gateway - Staten Island (Staten Island, NY), Camp Gateway- Brooklyn Ny (Brooklyn, NY), The Cottage At Sailors Haven (Patchogue, NY).
Cell Phone Coverage at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook
Cell signal at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook (Highlands, NJ): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Welcome to Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit! There are a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities available at the park including history tours, living history demonstrations, hiking, birding, kayaking, camping, swimming, and biking. Sandy Hook is known for its beautiful beaches, the Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark, and the country’s oldest continuing working lighthouse.Between 05/23/2025 and 07/13/2025 this location is staffed.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early - federal campground with high demand
Firewood available for purchase on-site
Lifeguards on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for beach swimming
Only operational season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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 call
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Gateway National Recreation Area fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Gateway National Recreation Area before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook cost per night?+
What season is Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook open?+
Does Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?+
How do I make reservations at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?+
What is the cell service like at Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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