Monmouth Annual Guide to Beaches & Parks
There’s a reason New Jersey is called the Garden State. Its lush greenery and burgeoning plant life are abundant—especially in Monmouth County.
There’s nothing better than a day at the beach—the sand between your toes, the sun on your face, the gentle roar of the waves. Monmouth County’s pristine beaches have something for everyone, whether you’re looking to spend an afternoon engrossed in your latest beach read, building a one-of-a-kind sandcastle or trying your hand at parasailing or windsurfing.
Or take a leisurely stroll along one of the well-manicured paths, picnic beneath the trees, pitch a tent, go hiking or mountain biking and try your hand at catching bass or bluegills. The possibilities are endless.
BEACHES
Allenhurst
Asbury Park
Avon-by-the-Sea
Belmar
Bradley Beach
Deal |
Highlands
Keansburg
Loch Arbour
Long Branch
Manasquan
Monmouth Beach
Ocean Grove |
Sandy Hook
Sea Bright
Sea Girt
Seven Presidents Oceanfront
Spring Lake
Union Beach |
PARKSATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook COLTS NECK
Dorbrook Recreation Area FREEHOLD
Turkey Swamp Park
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP
Duchess Court Park
Durand Park
Medford Park
Michael J. Tighe Park
Opatut Park
Orchards Hills Park
Sandy Brook Park
Sargent Park
Stonehurst Park
Whittier Oaks Park
Woodgate Park
Wynnefield Park HIGHLANDS
Gateway National Recreation Area, |
Henry Hudson Trail HOLMDEL
Historic Longstreet Farm
Holmdel Park HOWELL
Manasquan Reservoir LINCROFT
Sunnyside Recreation Area
Thompson Park LONG BRANCH
Seven Presidents MANALAPAN
Monmouth Battlefield State Park MANASQUAN
Fisherman’s Cove MARLBORO
Big Brook Park MATAWAN
Cheesequake State Park MIDDLETOWN
Deep Cut Gardens |
Hartshorne Woods Park
Huber Woods Park
Tatum Park MILLSTONE
Perrineville Lake Park OAKHURST
Weltz Park OCEANPORT
Wolf Hill Recreation Area PORT MONMOUTH
Bayshore Waterfront Park UPPER FREEHOLD
Clayton Park
Crosswicks Creek Greenway
Historic Walnford
Union Transportation Trail WALL
Allaire State Park
Shark River Park |
Flock to the Shore
Monmouth County’s location along the Atlantic coastline makes its an ideal area for viewing all types of birds. Following are some of the best spots for bird-watching. For more, visit njaudubon.org.
Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, which features three lakes that are popular resting spots for migratory waterfowl. A nesting site for Cooper’s Hawks.
Big Brook Park Region Grasslands, a mixture of habitats including scrubshrub areas that support species like the Vesper Sparrows.
Manasquan River Watershed, which provides refuge for migrating landbirds and wintering waterfowl.
Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, breeding grounds for the Bald Eagle, listed as endangered in the state, and the Osprey, listed as threatened.
North Shore Coastal Ponds Complex, where Piping Plovers and Least Terns, among many other species, breed and forage.
Raritan Bay and Southern Shore, host to many state-listed species during breeding season including Black Skimmers.
Sandy Hook, where as many as 600 Least Terns and 60 Piping Plovers have nested. A major stop along the migration pathway for more than 340 species traveling the Atlantic Flyway.
Shark River, another key wintering habitat for many species of waterfowl.
Turkey Swamp Wildlife Management Area, home to several forest-breeding species and a critical stopover habitat for songbirds during spring and fall migration.
Upper Freehold Grasslands, an exceptional site for the Northern Bobwhite, Field Sparrow, Eastern Wood-Pewee and American Kestrel.
