Island Beach State Park

About Island Beach State Park

Island Beach State Park is a narrow barrier island that stretches along the New Jersey coast in the Hudson River north of New York City. Island Beach is also home to the largest sand dune system in the world in the United States, and is the last remnant of a barrier - an island ecosystem that once existed along much of that coast. The island, which Henry Hudson first described on the ship Half Moon in 1609, has remained virtually untouched since its foundation in 1811.

Island Beach is home to one of the largest sand dune systems in the United States and is home to a diverse wildlife including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds of prey. The sandy beaches and sand dunes of Island Beach State Park offer a unique view of what was thousands of years ago, as well as a view of the island's former ecosystem along the New Jersey coast and Hudson River.

The central part of the park is a 1.5 km long beach, called the Sea Beach, and is staffed by lifeguards trained in sea rescue and first aid techniques. Nearby is a changing area with a variety of different types of sand dune systems, and Island Beach is known for its unique resources, with over 400 plants, including some of the largest and most diverse types of grasses, shrubs and trees in New Jersey.

Island Beach State Park is known by New Jersey saltwater anglers as one of the state's most popular fishing spots and a popular destination for fishing and boating.

Information about bait fishing is available from local fish vendors as soon as you enter the park. The catch of Atlantic salmon and other marine fish and other species is particularly worthwhile at this time of year. During the summer - and when fish are in decline - there are other species of fish to fish on Island Beach.

For information on saltwater fishing regulations, visit the Island Beach State Park website of the New York State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Saltwater fisheries are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Rhode Island.

Visitors can picnic on the beach, set up picnic tables and barbecues in the park or use barbecues in designated bathing areas. Barbecues can be used on a table or at one of the picnic areas in Island Beach State Park, as long as there is a barbecue. All SUVs driving on or near the fishing beach can apply for a permit at the park entrance gate.

There must be no fires, picnickers must put out their fires before leaving the area, and Island Beach State Park requires visitors to take their trash with them. The exhibit trail interprets the natural and cultural history of the park and offers a self-guided experience through nine plant communities on the barrier island.

It is a great place for picnics, hiking, cycling, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities as well as for family activities.

In the southern and central part of the park, 6 km of beach are available for horse riding activities, and horseback riding is allowed. Parking for horses and trailers is indicated for this period, but reservations are required by contacting the parking office at 732 - 793 - 0506. For brochures, maps and routes of discovery, please contact the park office.

Facilities open to visitors include the Nature Center, Visitor Center and Island Beach State Park Interpretation Center. The interpretation programme for the park describes the natural history of the island, with guided tours and activities that take place daily during the summer months. Group tours can be arranged in advance through the Nature Centre of the Park or by telephone at 732 - 793 - 0506. This is a unique opportunity for a day trip to one of New Jersey's most popular tourist attractions.

During the summer, the site offers daily guided tours, as well as the Island Beach State Park Interpretation Center and Nature Center.

The Emily DeCamp Herbarium houses about 400 classified and preserved plants and offers the public the opportunity to get to know them. The Her Barium, located in the interpretive centre on the River Forking, houses plants that are kept in protective heaps and also provide historical and factual information about the plants. One of the main attractions of this herbaria is that visitors and scientists can explore individual plants and examine them in their natural state.

Ten kilometres of white sandy beaches attract swimmers, sun-worshippers, anglers and surfers, and a designated cycle path is more than 8 kilometres from the main road. The beautiful beaches of Island Beach, the picturesque views of the River Forking and its natural beauty make it a unique place to explore.

There are six miles of beaches and in the park nearby there is a horse rental, and For this period a parking lot for horses and trailers is designated. For more information, please contact the parking office at (604) 684-5555 or (888) 586-4357 for more details.

This near-natural canoe and kayak tour takes participants to the Sedge Islands, where they can observe a variety of wildlife including nesting ospreys, falcons and waders. The blinds for bird watching give visitors the opportunity to observe wildlife in a very important habitat. At the bow of the island is a bird blind light overlooking one of Vancouver Island's most important bird sanctuaries.

The endangered plover is an occasional inhabitant of open beaches and dunes. Island Beach is characterized by gentle dunes, salt-carved vegetation and nine plant communities, including nationally significant lake forests. Together they form one of the most important bird sanctuaries on Vancouver Island and an important habitat for many birds.

Access to this part of the northern nature reserve is restricted and a designated swimming area at the southern end of Island Beach is reserved for surfers.

Diving and underwater fishing are allowed, but proof of a current diving license is required. Divers must register with the park office in the first year of their dive or contact the park office for more information.

Spear fishing and underwater fishing are regulated by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Diving at Barnegat Inlet is allowed, but must be in at least 1,000 feet of water and no more than 2,500 feet below sea level. To find the route, take Route 37 to reach the entrance to the park from the intersection of Route 35 and Route 40 at the southern end of Island Beach.