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Island Beach State Park is a preserved barrier island that protects a number of natural shoreline and nearshore habitats. The park contains close to ten miles of sandy beach, an extensive shoreline along Barnegat Bay, dense maritime forests, rolling sand dunes, and tidal marshes.
Visiting Island Beach State Park. The main gate of Island Beach State Park typically opens at 8 A.M. and closes at 8 P.M.. During summer weekends and holidays, from Memorial Day-weekend to Labor Day-weekend, the park opens at 7 A.M. Island Beach can get very crowded during the summer weekends and holidays. Park management considers the park ...
Island Beach is currently one of the most popular state parks in New Jersey and attracts approximately one million visitors every year. This history is adapted from a brochure issued by Island Beach State Park.
Island Beach State Park provides a variety of fishing opportunities for people of all ages, physical abilities, and fishing skills. If you fish from the beach you will need to register with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program .
Information for planning a visiting to Island Beach State Park and details about its natural features.
The ocean, bay, sand dunes, plants, animals, and physical forces that shape Island Beach State Park can all be found in other places outside the park's boundaries. What is relatively unique is that all of these elements are found together in a relatively large expanse of preserved barrier island.
You can drive a 4 wheel drive vehicle on the beach, with a valid permit, to gain access to areas of the park where you are allowed to surf fish. The permit is designed soley to allow for fishing access. Island Beach State Park issued permits do not allow you to just drive around on the beach.
Approximately one mile of beach, located in the middle of the park, is managed for swimming. This beach is staffed by lifeguards for the first few weekends of the summer season, from Memorial Day weekend until the second Saturday in June.
You can find out more about some of the more interesting birds you can encounter in the park in the winter by reading this article about and Barnegat lighthouse park birding adventures at the NJAS website. Planning your visit. RECREATION. OTHER INFORMATION. Island Beach State Park is one of central New Jersey.
Horseback Riding. Horseback riding is permitted along the southern six miles of the ocean beach from October through April. This area begins between the two swimming beaches and extends south to the inlet.
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