Jones Beach State Park
Six and a half miles of Atlantic shore meet a distinctive public-park design.
Artwork inspired by Reginald Marsh
Jones Beach is a long, publicly accessible Atlantic barrier-island shore, not a single beachfront building. Its 6.5 miles of sand, boardwalk, bathhouses, and water tower grew from a carefully designed twentieth-century park. The different parking fields serve different sections; the historic Central Mall has a different feel from the quieter west end and nature center.
Pick the beach field that fits your plan before crossing the causeway. Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, and treat surf conditions seriously even on a calm-looking day. The boardwalk is useful outside the swimming season, while beaches, pools, games, and concessions run on separate seasonal schedules. Vehicle fees are collected in posted windows and can rise during beach season.
- Shoreline
- 6.5 miles
- Design
- Ocean-liner-era park plan
- Swimming
- Lifeguarded, seasonal
Quick guide
- Choose a field
- Central Mall, Field 6, and the west end serve different experiences.
- Read the flags
- Enter the ocean only in a lifeguarded area during posted swim hours.
Know before you go
- Walk the boardwalk
- See the water tower and bathhouse geometry before heading to the sand.
- Find the right shore
- A named field avoids a long walk back to the car.
- Look beyond swimming
- The west-end nature center explores barrier-island ecology.
- Check surf and weather
- Ocean conditions can change during a visit.
Good to know
No pets are permitted year-round. Event traffic can change parking and travel times.
Notice these
- Atlantic shoreline
- historic water tower
- boardwalk