Gunnison Beach
Sandy Hook, New Jersey · United States
New Jersey's only legal clothing-optional beach, on federal land, and the largest on the East Coast: five thousand people on a summer weekend. Manhattan's ferry-to-freedom.
Updated
- Status
- Official clothing-optional beach
- Crowd
- Gay-popular
- Country
- United States
- City
- New York
- Water
- Sea
- Best time
- June to September
- Confidence
- High
Find it
40.4590° N, 73.9895° WThe gay end
The whole beach is clothing-optional; the gay crowd gathers toward the north end.
Crowd A clothing-optional beach for everyone with a gay end everyone knows about. Walk in the direction the guide says and you will find the boys.
Getting there
Seastreak ferry from Manhattan in summer (forty-five minutes), or drive to the Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area, Lot G.
The rules
Official clothing-optional beach. Designated by law or by the council. Swimwear is optional on the marked stretch, and nobody will ask you to cover up.
No photos of anyone, sunscreen everywhere, cover up the moment you leave the clothing-optional stretch, and head home with the light. Sunbathe, swim and keep the beach respectful for everyone.
Questions people ask
Beach questions
Where exactly is Gunnison Beach?
Sandy Hook, New Jersey, United States. The map pin is 40.4590° N, 73.9895° W.
What is Gunnison Beach like?
New Jersey's only legal clothing-optional beach, on federal land, and the largest on the East Coast: five thousand people on a summer weekend. Manhattan's ferry-to-freedom.
Which section of Gunnison Beach is on the atlas?
The whole beach is clothing-optional; the gay crowd gathers toward the north end.
How do I get to Gunnison Beach?
Seastreak ferry from Manhattan in summer (forty-five minutes), or drive to the Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area, Lot G.
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Method
Status says what the law and the locals allow; crowd says who is on the sand. Both come from gay-travel guides, the national naturist federations and members who were just there, scored on sources, recency, crowd, legal footing and safety. How we rank. Pins mark the beach; the gay end is described above. Last reviewed September 2026.