Island Beach State Park 2004 Spring & Summer Calendar of Events
All Events Subject to changes Please call the listed phone numbers to confirm events
April 25
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Fee: Park Admission & donation of $3.00
Island Beach State Park 112 Interpretive Center
(732) 793-5525
Sponsor: Friends of Island Beach State Park
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Fee: Park Admission
Island Beach State Park North Bathing Area #1
(732) 793-5525
Sponsor: Friends of Island Beach
3rd Annual New Jersey Angler Classic
5:00 am to 2:00 pm
Fee: $10.00 per person
Island Beach State Park, North Bathing Area #1
Call for Pre-Registration: (609) 242-1058
Sponsor: New Jersey Angler Magazine
Beginners Surf Fishing Clinic
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
August 5,12,19, 26
8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Fee: Park Admission
Island Beach State Park Visitor Interpretive Center
Call to Register: 732-793-1698
Sponsor: Island Beach State Park
Note: Pre-Registration required - Minimum age of 10 & minors must be accompanied by an adult
July 4, 11, 18, 25
August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Fee: Park Admission
Call to Register 732-793-1698
Sponsor: Island Beach State Park
Note: Pre-Registration Required - Minimum age of 14 & minors must be accompanied by an adult
August 4, 18
8:00 am 12:00 pm
Fee: $12.00 per person
Call to Register: 732-506-9090 or 732-793-1698 for further information
Sponsor: Ocean County Department of Parks & Recreation and Island Beach State Park
Note: Pre-Registration Required - Minimum age of 14 & minors must be accompanied by an adult
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Fee: Park Admission
Area 7 – Fisherman’s Walkway
Call to Register 732-793-1698
Sponsor: Island Beach State Park
Note: Pre-Registration required - Minimum age of 10 & minors must be accompanied by an adult
August 13
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Fee: Park Admission
Island Beach State Park Visitor Interpretive Center
Call to Register: 732-793-1698
Sponsor: Island Beach State Park
Island Beach State Park 6th Annual Beach Plum Festival
September 12 (Rain Date September 19)
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Fee: Park Admission
Island Beach State Park, North Bathing Area #1
(732) 793-5525
Sponsor: Friends of Island Beach State Park
September 26
8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Fee: $3.00 for children ages 4 to 17 – accompanying adults are free
Island Beach State Park, North Bathing Area #1
Sponsor: New Jersey Beach buggy Association
Phone 732-793-1698
E- Mail
Renovated just this year, the Nature Center provides exhibits on the Barnegat Bay Watershed, Common Shells, Plant Communities, Osprey, and the Red Fox. Visitors can relax and do some backyard birding or observe a variety of Barnegat Bay marine life in two 75 gallon aquariums.
Enjoy the Karl Ninnemann Jr. Butterfly Garden located behind the Nature Center.
The Nature Center is located approximately 1mile from the Visitor Contact Station (main gate). Nature books can be purchased here. Open daily 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Interpretive Center
Forked River Coast Guard Station #112
732-793-1285
The Interpretive Center provides visitors with an orientation to the five themes of Island Beach. The Emily de Camp Herbarium and Janet's Garden are also located at this site. Staffed by volunteers the Interpretive Center is located approximately 7 1/2 miles from the Visitor Contact Station (main gate). The Interpretive Center is open Wednesday through Monday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM from Memorial Day weekend through September and only weekends in October.
"You have to go out, but you don't have to come back", was the motto of the U.S. Life Saving Service. Our Interpretative Center, Forked River #112 Coast Guard Station, tells the story of this amazing period of maritime history. This historic 1938 building is one of three life saving stations constructed at Island Beach to rescue shipwreck survivors.
As you enter the Interpretive Center, you'll see an original 1929 Model A Ford beach buggy that traveled up and down our beach catching some of the biggest fish anywhere on the eastern coast. Hanging from the rafters is one of the famous Barnegat Bay Sneak Boxes that were specially designed for the shallow waters of the bay. A way of life that was dependent upon Barnegat Bay developed in this area. Exhibits describing coastal geology, plant communities, animal life, and the area's cultural history are here too. Stroll through Janet's Garden, a native plant garden that is located right out front.
Walk along Johnny Allen's Cove Trail to the ocean and to Barnegat Bay. For those that want to learn about coastal processes and plant identification, take a moment to read the wayside exhibits. Visiting our Interpretive Center will put into perspective the rich historical and cultural aspects of the Barnegat Bay community.
The Northern Bathing Beach Pavilion Nature Counter
The pavilion is located approximately 3 1/2 miles from the Visitor Contact Station (main gate).
Most of our seasonal programs start here. A 200 gallon aquarium provides visitors with a
close-up view of up to 25 species of Barnegat Bay marine life. Touch tank allow kids and adults to
handle horseshoe crabs, sea stars, hermit crabs and more. This area is open on weekends from Memorial Day weekend through June 14. Beginning June
15 it is open daily through Labor Day weekend.
Naturalist available 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.