When you think of America's most visited national park, what comes to mind? Yellowstone? Perhaps the Grand Canyon? Both are major tourist draws but their visitation pales in comparison to a park that's partially located in New Jersey. Based on a 2013 data study, Arizona's Grand Canyon attracts around 4.4 million visitors each year; Yellowstone, which spans three states (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming) brings in around 3.4 million visitors.
The Gateway National Recreation Area brought in over 5 million tourists that year.
Attendance was higher in previous years, topping 6 million, but dropped following Hurricane Sandy. The hurricane left portions of the park closed for months. Presently, the Gateway National Recreation area attracts nearly 10 million visitors annually.
The park sits on 27,000 acres and is comprised of three separate units.
Its motto is: Many Places, One Park. The three units are the Jamaica Bay Unit, the Staten Island Unit and New Jersey's own Sandy Hook Unit. The Jamaica Bay Unit includes Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Fort Tilden, Riis Park in Queens, Floyd Bennett Field and Canarsie Pier in Brooklyn. The Staten Island Unit includes Great Kills Park, Miller Field and Fort Wadsworth. The Sandy Hook Unit, my personal favorite, is concentrated in a single area but has many notable historic sites.
The Sandy Hook Unit brings in around 2,000,000 visitors annually.
Here, you'll find beautiful beaches, the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. The lighthouse is America's oldest and has been in continuous operation since June 11, 1764. Free tours are available daily, hosted by national park rangers. Fort Hancock is another key area, allowing visitors to stroll past military barracks and old batteries.
Sandy Hook offers a well preserved peek into the past.
Battery Potter is a sight to see and the Nike Missile site cannot be missed. The park is a must visit for anyone interested in military history. It's also just a beautiful place to spend a day. The events truly make this spot shine; on June 11th, enjoy a bike tour from 10 a.m. until noon, followed by a guided walking tour of the Nike Missile site; on June 14th, there will be a free concert on the beach. The 15th will play host to an astronomy event - the Stars of Sandy Hook - and you can enjoy a wildlife viewing adventure on June 22nd. Prefer a family-friendly campfire? Visit on June 23rd.
The park is also home to Gunnison Beach, New Jersey's only clothing optional beach. However, the history and scenic beauty of this park are what I love most. For more information about this unique park, check out this article on Fort Hancock and this article about the Nike Missile site. For more details on the events mentioned, check out the "Gateway" page on the National Park Service website.
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