History and nature. Preserved together.
Natural Beauty
Sandy Hook is a picturesque 2,044-acre barrier beach peninsula located at the northern tip of the Jersey Shore that offers a variety of environmental and recreational resources. Featuring miles of ocean and bayside beaches, salt and freshwater marshes, hiking and biking trails, 264 acres of maritime forest, and some of the best sunsets anywhere in New Jersey, Sandy Hook is as rich in ecological diversity as it is opportunities to relax and explore.
Historic Significance
Sandy Hook is equally as rich in maritime and military history. Built in 1764, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark, is the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States.
The U.S. Army’s connection to Sandy Hook is also historically significant. For more than three-quarters of a century, from the Spanish-American War through the Cold War, Fort Hancock’s defenses acted as significant deterrents to potential attacks on the New York Metropolitan Area. Fort Hancock and its dedicated soldiers saved millions of lives without ever firing a shot in combat. Today, the entire Sandy Hook peninsula is recognized as the Fort Hancock & Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark.
See the Plan Your Visit page to lean more about visiting the park, including Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse.
Click here to learn how to lease an historic building at Fort Hancock.