Family-Friendly

About Gunnison Beach

Tucked within the Sandy Hook unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Gunnison Beach holds a singular distinction along the entire Jersey Shore: it is New Jersey's only legal clothing-optional beach. Here, the Atlantic Ocean stretches endlessly before you, salt wind threading through the dune grass while shore birds wheel overhead. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming — a rare pocket of coastal freedom where visitors of all backgrounds come to shed not just their clothes, but the noise of everyday life.

The Setting and Landscape

Sandy Hook's barrier peninsula frames the beach on both sides with a coastal ecosystem that surprises first-time visitors. Maritime shrubs and hardy grasses anchor the dunes, while the shoreline itself is wide and generous, offering plenty of space even on busy summer weekends. Historic Battery Gunnison — a remnant of the peninsula's military past — stands nearby, lending the landscape an unexpected layer of history. At sunrise, the sky above the Atlantic ignites in shades of amber and rose, reflecting off the water in a display that feels almost cinematic. By sunset, the western light washes the dunes golden. Whether you're a naturist or simply curious, the scenery alone justifies the trip.

Swimming and the Water

This is the Atlantic in full voice — open ocean swimming with honest surf. The water carries that cool, bracing salinity that the Northeast coast is known for, refreshing on a hot July afternoon but not for the faint of heart in early season. You'll feel the rhythm of real waves here, the kind that lift you off your feet and invite you to body-surf back toward shore. Clarity varies with conditions, as it does along any dynamic ocean beach, but the wide sandy bottom and gradual slope make entry straightforward. There are no lifeguards confirmed at this site, so swimming here is at your own risk — read conditions carefully, respect the surf, and keep an eye on young swimmers. The beach's official sanction within a National Recreation Area means it is well-maintained and clearly marked.

Practical Visit Information

Getting to Gunnison Beach is genuinely easy. A short, well-signed walk from the parking area brings you to the shore, with clear paths suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Facilities on-site are described as comprehensive, covering the basics you'd expect from a federally managed recreation area. An entrance fee applies — check the current Gateway National Recreation Area website for pricing before you go, as fees can vary by season and vehicle type. The beach is open for swimming and sunbathing from late May through early September, with the early fall shoulder season offering a quieter, still-pleasant alternative. No camping is available at the site itself, so plan accordingly.

Plan Your Visit

Gunnison Beach sits within easy reach of Long Branch and Red Bank, two lively New Jersey shore communities with restaurants, shops, and accommodations to suit most budgets. Red Bank in particular offers a vibrant downtown worth exploring before or after your beach day. Whether you're making a day trip from the New York metro area or building a longer Jersey Shore itinerary, Gunnison Beach offers something genuinely unlike anything else on this coastline.

About Wharton State Forest Mullica River Swimming Spots

Deep in the heart of the New Jersey Pinelands, the Mullica River threads quietly through Wharton State Forest like a discovery the locals have kept for generations. The river's waters run slow and dark — stained the color of iced tea by tannins from the surrounding cedar and oak forests — and they carry the ancient, resinous scent of the Pine Barrens with them. These are unofficial, undeveloped swimming spots, the kind you discover by following a dirt path through the scrub pines until the sound of the current pulls you in.

The Setting and Landscape

Wharton State Forest spans more than 120,000 acres, making it the largest single tract of land in the New Jersey State Park System. The Mullica River winds through this vast, otherworldly landscape of pitch pine, blueberry thickets, and sandy-bottomed streams. The tree canopy filters the summer sunlight into soft, amber patches on the water's surface, and the forest around you hums with the sound of birds, insects, and the occasional distant splash of a paddler rounding a bend. The shoreline is mostly sandy and gentle, with the river moving at a pace that feels almost meditative. This is a place where time slows down — deliberately and completely.

Swimming, Tubing, and the Water Itself

Don't let the dark color of the water fool you: the Mullica runs clean and naturally filtered through the sandy Pinelands soil. The tannins give it that distinctive amber tint, but the water is refreshing and soft against the skin on a hot summer afternoon. Depths are generally shallow to moderate in the swimming areas, making it accessible for families and casual swimmers, though conditions vary by location and season. The river is equally popular for tubing and canoeing — you can drift lazily downstream through cathedral-like corridors of pine, scanning the banks for great blue herons and river otters. There are no lifeguards on duty at these unofficial spots, so swimmers should exercise appropriate caution and never swim alone.

Practical Visit Information

Access to swimming holes along the Mullica is informal, and the experience is very much what you make of it. Facilities are unconfirmed at individual river access points, so come prepared: pack water, snacks, sun protection, and anything else you'll need for a self-sufficient day outdoors. Entry fees are not confirmed, so it's worth checking with Wharton State Forest headquarters at Batsto before your visit. Camping options in the area range from the family-friendly Atsion Family Campground — which offers hot showers and flush toilets at the junction of the Mullica and Route 206 — to the walk-in Mullica River Wilderness Campground, which is accessible only on foot, by canoe, or in winter by ski. The Wilderness Campground has pit toilets and a potable water pump, but no vehicle access is permitted. For families or first-time visitors, Atsion is the easier base camp.

Plan Your Visit

The Mullica River swimming spots are most enjoyable from late May through early September, when warm days and comfortable water temperatures make the river irresistible. The surrounding towns of Batsto, Atsion, and Egg Harbor provide the closest services, and Atlantic City is within easy driving distance if you want to extend your trip. Autumn visits bring their own reward: the Pinelands shift into golden hues and the crowds thin considerably, leaving you to explore one of the most quietly spectacular forests in the Eastern United States.

About Highlands Natural Pool

Tucked within the forested hills of northern New Jersey, Highlands Natural Pool offers something increasingly rare in the modern world: a place to swim the way nature intended. Located at the New Jersey Audubon's Weis Ecology Center in Ringwood, this stream-fed natural pool sits amid the sweeping woodlands of Norvin Green State Forest, where the canopy overhead filters summer light into shifting, dappled patterns on the water's surface. The air smells of pine and damp earth, and the sounds of birdsong replace the hum of pool pumps and chemical dispensers. This is swimming as an ecological experience, not just a recreational one.

The Setting and Landscape

The pool is embraced by a living landscape — gardens, native plantings, and the quiet rhythms of a working ecology center surround you on all sides. Because the water is stream-fed and chemical-free, you'll find aquatic life thriving alongside swimmers: small creatures that remind you that you're a guest in a functioning ecosystem, not an isolated recreational facility. The forest presses close, offering shade along the edges and a sense of genuine seclusion even when other visitors are present. Narrow country roads wind their way to this destination, so the drive itself feels like a transition from the ordinary to something wilder and slower-paced.

The Swimming Experience

As a natural pool, the water here carries the coolness and clarity of a stream-fed system rather than the treated flatness of a conventional pool. On a hot July afternoon, stepping in delivers an immediate, refreshing shock — the kind that makes you gasp and grin at the same time. The chemical-free environment means the water feels soft against your skin, and you won't leave smelling of chlorine. Swimming here is calm and accessible, rated easy to moderate overall, making it well-suited for families, casual swimmers, and anyone looking for a restorative dip rather than a demanding athletic challenge. The natural setting also makes it an ideal spot for those who want to observe aquatic life up close between swims.

Facilities and Practical Visit Info

Visitors will find a solid set of amenities to round out a full day outdoors. Picnic tables and grills make it easy to pack a lunch and linger well past your last swim, while a volleyball court and playground give families additional reasons to stay. For those who want to extend the adventure, camping is available adjacent to the site at the Weis Ecology Center — call (973) 835-2160 for reservations. Fees apply for entry, so check the official website before you go for current pricing and any seasonal details. The pool shines brightest during the summer months of June through August, though spring and fall visits offer a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere with vibrant seasonal scenery.

Plan Your Visit

Highlands Natural Pool is most easily reached from the nearby towns of Ringwood, Paterson, and Pompton Lakes, all of which offer dining, lodging, and supply stops before you head into the woods. Come prepared with snacks, sunscreen, and a sense of curiosity — this is the kind of place that rewards those who slow down long enough to notice the details.

About Hopewell Quarry

Tucked into the rolling landscape of central New Jersey, Hopewell Quarry is one of those rare swimming destinations that feels genuinely set apart from the ordinary. Once carved out of the earth for industrial purposes, this former quarry has transformed into a private aquatic retreat where the water takes on those distinctive blue-green hues that make you stop and stare before you ever dip a toe in. Because access is exclusive to members, you won't be fighting through summer crowds — instead, you'll find a quieter, more intimate atmosphere that's hard to come by at public swimming spots in the region.

The Setting and Landscape

The quarry sits surrounded by lush greenery, and the geological bones of its industrial past are still visible in the rocky ledges and sculpted stone walls that frame the water. There's something almost otherworldly about the place — vertical rock faces dropping into water so clear and still that you can watch light playing across the bottom on a bright summer morning. Birdsong drifts in from the tree line, and if you're lucky, you might catch glimpses of local wildlife moving through the vegetation at the water's edge. Sturdy footwear is a smart choice, since the terrain around the quarry is rocky underfoot, but the payoff for that short walk is immediate and absolute.

Swimming, Diving, and Jumping

This is not a placid wading pond — Hopewell Quarry is a destination for people who want to feel genuinely alive in the water. The swimming here is refreshing in the truest sense: quarry water tends to run cool and clean, with a natural clarity that lets you see well beneath the surface. For thrill-seekers, the site offers diving and jumping opportunities from the rocky outcroppings, the kind of exhilarating leaps where the world goes quiet for just a second before the cold water rushes up to meet you. It's an officially sanctioned site, which means the experience is managed and structured — a reassuring quality when you're launching yourself off a ledge. Families and casual swimmers will find the setting equally inviting, especially during the peak summer months of June through August when temperatures make every swim feel earned and glorious.

Plan Your Visit

Hopewell Quarry operates on a members-only basis, so your first step is to call ahead and ask about current membership rates and availability before making the trip. The site is easy to reach by car and requires minimal walking once you arrive, making it accessible for a wide range of visitors. There are no camping facilities on site, so plan for a day trip. The quarry is ideally positioned for exploring the broader central New Jersey region — the historic town of Hopewell is just a short drive away, offering charming shops and dining, while Pennington and Trenton round out the nearby options for food, culture, and history. Spring and early autumn bring quieter conditions and beautiful seasonal foliage if you prefer to visit outside the summer rush. However you time your trip, a day at Hopewell Quarry tends to linger in memory long after you've dried off and headed home.