Island Beach State Park

[Boyd]

With the talk about sand dunes in another thread, I felt the need to return to Island Beach. It's one of my favorite places for landscape photography; it has such a unique feeling... almost like being out in the desert. And in the middle of the week this time of year, you can have the whole island practically to yourself

More photos here: http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=504

 

[james ungehajer]

Great photos,they make you feel like you are right there.

 

[LongIslandPiney]

Very nice! I may try to make a visit, I think NJT has bus service there in the summer (I dont drive).

 

[james ungehajer]

Forgot to mention that island beach state park is also a great surf fishing spot,lots of deep holes within casting range,also where the pavement ends,you needa four wheel drive to reach the jetty at the south end across from barnegat light,park rules require lowering the air pressure in your tires to 10 lbs.,a shovel,and a two by four,the sand is very sugary there.

 

[Boyd]

If you plan a visit, try to go in the middle of the week and it will be much less crowded. As I said, this time of year you can have the place pretty much to yourself except for fisherman parked along the shore. Looks like this bus will get you there after June 1: http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0137.pdf

Or you could take Greyhound/NJ Transit to Toms River and get some other transportation to the island. Without a car or at least a bicycle, it won't be optimum however. The park is maybe 10 miles long and less than 1/2 mile wide in most places. The Maritime Forest trail near the entrance leads to an interesting area on the bay (west) side of the island:

But if you want to get the the nicest part of the dunes (IMO) you need to go south of the bathing beaches, maybe 4 miles or so past the entrance gate:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...74.088449&spn=0.009605,0.017617&t=h&z=16&om=0

Then you should also visit the far south end of the island where you will have a nice view of the Barnegat Lighthouse across the inlet:

I imagine there are places to rent a bicycle in Seaside Heights or Seaside Park, or you could rent a car in Toms River.

 

[LongIslandPiney]

Nice, reminds me of Fire Island. Walking isn't a problem for me, 4-5 miles out and back is perfectly doable for me.

 

[james ungehajer]

http://longbeachisland.com/history.html

Barnegat Lighthouse History