By GPS: Currently (10/2010) you cannot get to our actual location by entering our street address into your GPS. You might try entering "Atlantic Highlands" as your destination. This will get you to Route 36 in the vicinity of Sandy Hook.
From the North: Exit the Garden State Parkway at Exit 117 and proceed on Route 36 South for 13 miles to the entrance to Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area.
From the South: Exit the Garden State Parkway at Exit 105 and proceed on Route 36 North. The road will take you in an easterly direction until you reach Ocean Avenue where you and Route 36 North both make a left turn. Proceed north on Ocean Avenue for 5.5 miles to the entrance to Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area.
Once You Reach the Park: Proceed straight into the Park on Hartshorne Drive.* You will continue north 2.5 miles passing the Ranger Station (only building in center island of road). After another 1.2 miles you will bear left along the bay (west) side and pass Atlantic Drive on the east side. Continue north on Hartshorne Drive for 0.8 miles, where you will see a large white missile and a "Welcome to Fort Hancock" sign. Bear left along the bay into historic Fort Hancock for about 75 yards to a driveway on the right before the first building (SHBO). Turn into this driveway and proceed behind the building past the public bathrooms on the right to the parking lot. If you reach “Officers Row” (a long row of large houses), you have gone too far.
*Memorial Day through Labor Day a fee is charged for parking in beach access lots from 7 am to 5 pm. Tell the toll attendant that you are visiting the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory or that you are birding and not parking in beach access lots; they will waive the entrance fee. This allows you to park at the Visitor Center, Horseshoe Cove, Scout Camp, all Fort Hancock lots, K-lot, and SHBO. Fees are not charged before 7 am and after 5 pm. If you arrive before 7 am, an attendant at the fee booth will give you a pass that allows you free access to all parking areas.