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Island Beach State Park – Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island and Atlantic City on the 35 mile away on the horizon. (49210504487)📷 James Loesch from Trenton, New Jersey, USA, CC BY 2.0

Island Beach State Park

Seaside Park, NJ

Nature

A long, undeveloped barrier-island strip with dunes, bayside marsh and uncrowded ocean beaches, reached by a single road. Bring water and sun protection, as there is little shade, and arrive early in summer.

Island Beach State Park covers about 3,000 acres (roughly 1,200 ha) near Seaside Park and is among the largest largely undeveloped stretches of barrier island in New Jersey. The industrialist Henry Phipps bought the land in 1926 to build an exclusive resort; after the stock market crash it stayed undeveloped, and the state purchased it in 1953. Today the park protects beaches, dunes, maritime forest and tidal marshes, including one of the state's largest osprey colonies. You can swim, kayak, fish and surf in designated areas.

Plan on half a day to a full day if you want to combine the ocean beach, the dunes and the bay side. Shade is scarce, so bring water and sun protection. In summer, arrive early. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed on certain beach sections only with a special permit.

Nearest town
Seaside Park, NJ
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
39.7983, -74.0926

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Sources

Nearby

Barnegat Lighthouse – Barney through the Scrub Pine (1699494831)© Ted Kerwin · CC BY 2.0
History

Barnegat Lighthouse

Barnegat Light, NJ
Batsto Village – MansionBatstoNJ© Travellers & Tinkers · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
History

Batsto Village

Hammonton, NJ
2025-04-28 12 38 15 Right and front side of Lucy the Elephant in Margate City, Atlantic County, New Jersey© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
Oddities

Lucy the Elephant

Margate City, NJ
Grounds For Sculpture – Confrontational Vulnerability (22213626614)© Thad Zajdowicz from Altadena, California, USA · CC0
History

Grounds For Sculpture

Hamilton, NJ

Campsites nearby

  • North Shore CampgroundCampsite
    21 mi from Island Beach State Park
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Atlantic Shore Pines CampgroundCampsite
    21 mi from Island Beach State Park
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • South Shore CampgroundCampsite
    22 mi from Island Beach State Park
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Pilgrim Lake Camp GroundsCampsite
    22 mi from Island Beach State Park
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Tip Tam Camping ResortMotorhome stopover
    23 mi from Island Beach State Park
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Brendan T. Byrne State Forest CampgroundCampsite
    23 mi from Island Beach State Park
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in New Jersey · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Island Beach State Park?

Island Beach State Park is in Seaside Park, NJ, at GPS 39.7983, -74.0926. It is about 35 mi from Atlantic City.

Can you camp near Island Beach State Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Cedar Creek Family Campground, about 7 mi away; within 25 mi there are 15 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

What is there to see near Island Beach State Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: Barnegat Lighthouse (2 mi), Batsto Village (31 mi), Lucy the Elephant (40 mi) and Grounds For Sculpture (45 mi).

When is the best time to visit Island Beach State Park?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)