Gunnison Beach Located in Sandy Hook, New Jersey’s federally managed Gateway National Recreation Area, Gunnison Beach has been named one of the most underrated beaches in the United States. The accolade has been awarded by BoatBooker, which has recently created a national list of the most underappreciated beach destinations, based on analysis of digital search trends and user reviews. New Jersey summer resort destination that evokes the state’s boardwalk, congested summer traffic and Turnpike exit number (I-10), this tranquil stretch of shore has long served as a discreet—yet welcoming—hideaway.
What makes Gunnison Beach distinctive and more than worthy of a mention is its status as New Jersey’s only clothing-optional beach. This status has persisted thanks to the federal regulations governing the land, placed under the management of the National Park Service and outside the reach of the state’s public nudity laws.
Since its conversion from a military fort to a park, Gunnison Beach has been subject to some of the most stringent federal environmental and visitor use regulations in the country as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. During the busiest times of year Aug 1 – Sept 5, lifeguards are on duty and facilities, including restrooms and waste disposal, are in place to facilitate visiting responsibly. The beach has been protected by the National Park Service in support of conservation and recreation that does low damage. Visitors are requested to follow Leave No Trace guidelines and respect the naturalness and historic structure of the area.
Despite what is said, the beach allows for clothing optional recreation, however the National Park Service does clarify that nudity is only condoned in certain, informal areas. Nudity outside this designated area could be considered a violation of disorderly conduct ordinance and contrary to enforcement. Signage has been put in place to make new visitors aware of this special feature (and orient them before entering the traditional use area).
What sets Gunnison Beach apart from a lot of other East Coast destinations is its mix of natural beauty and cultural tolerance. For generations of beachgoers, it has provided an inclusive social space where individual autonomy is respected and they can commune with a slower, truer rhythm of coastal life. The natural, undisturbed coastline, combined with the federal protections granted to the beach, also help ensure that it maintains its character.
A number of other spots were also ranked by BoatBooker in 2025, along with Gunnison Beach. The top two beaches, Vereen Memorial Park and Driftwood Beach, are both in South Carolina and won kudos for their rustic, understated buildings. These picks support the trend of today’s travelers gravitating toward undiscovered beaches and off-the-radar destinations. Gunnison Beach, which lands at No. 3 on the national list, has shown New Jersey still has secrets for anyone ready to venture just a bit further off the beaten path.
For vacationers in search of something more than the usual—Gunnison Beach and Sandy Hook deliver two of the Northeast’s most authentic summer beach-abouts. Its status as New Jersey’s only legal nude beach, its historical roots and its natural state have made it akin to some of the most underappreciated beaches in the country. Gunnison, with its secret beaches and lesser-used shorelines, is no longer a destination for the brave, but is still a place where freedom, beauty and tranquility remain untouched.
