Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

NJ State Park Service LogoNJ State Park Service Logo

PARK ADVISORY: Dogs are not permitted at North Brigantine Natural Area from April 1 through September 15.

North Brigantine Natural Area Overview

The Natural Area System was created in 1961 and North Brigantine Natural Area was added to the system in 1967 as a conservation preserve with the management objective of “preservation of salt marsh habitat, coastal dune, and rare species habitat”.

The North Brigantine Natural Area features an un-manicured, natural beach with open shelly areas and an adjacent unmodified inlet. This habitat is preferred by many of our beach-nesting birds. These birds lay eggs directly on the sand, and they brave predators, wind, rain and tides, as well as human disturbance, to raise their young. It also provides excellent habitat for nesting terrapins, as the females need to come to shore to lay their eggs in the dunes.

Together with the adjacent federal sites of Holgate and Little Beach (two parts of the expansive Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge), the combined area is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island beach on the entire NJ coast.

North Brigantine Natural Area is subject to seasonal vehicle closures to protect these natural resources, but pedestrian access on the oceanfront remains open year-round.

Swimming is not allowed. Dogs are not permitted from April 1 through September 15.

North Brigantine Natural Area is administered by Bass River State Forest.

The federally listed animal and plant species found at the North Brigantine Natural Area include piping plover, red knot, and seabeach amaranth. State imperiled species include least tern, American oystercatcher, northern diamondback terrapin, and seabeach sandwort. The Department protects these species under the Federal Endangered Species Act, state Natural Areas and Natural Areas System acts, state Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act, and state Endangered Plant Species List Act.

North Brigantine Natural Area Mobile Sport Fishing Vehicle Permits will go up for sale in 2024 and will ONLY be sold online now.

Our Mobile Sport Fishing Vehicle Permits are now available for online purchase! Mobile Sport Fishing Vehicle Permits grant the permit holder’s 4x4 vehicle access to drive on to the North Brigantine Natural Area for the sole purpose of fishing.

North Brigantine Natural Area – Annual Pass – NJ Resident $50 / Non-NJ $75

No more than 75 vehicles allowed on the beach at one time.

Note: All permit purchases, online or through traditional methods, have an additional $5 transaction fee. This new online system will ensure faster permit processing, and added convenience for the surf fishing community.

Purchase your permit today by clicking here.

Surf Fishing
North Brigantine Natural Area is very popular with surf anglers for striped bass, bluefish, flounder, black sea bass and weakfish.

Saltwater fishing is permitted along the ocean beach only. All anglers 16 and older must register for the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. This registry is free. Visit New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife for more information and to register. Fishing is permitted 24 hours a day.

Note: A Mobile Sport Fishing Vehicle permit is required to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles on the beach for fishing purposes. This permit is NOT a 4-WD recreation permit.

Hunting
Waterfowl hunting is permitted below mean-high water and small game hunting is permitted subject to New Jersey’s Fish and Wildlife Laws.

North Brigantine Natural Area facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office at 609-296-1114 for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TTY) users, call the NJ Relay & CapTel Service at 711 or 1-800-852-7897 for English or 1-866-658-7714 for Spanish.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Recreational use of ATVs is not permitted on NJ State Park Service property. This includes state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. Thank you for your help in protecting New Jersey’s natural and historic resources. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.4(d)]

Smoking
State law prohibits the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices in all state parks, forests, historic sites, recreation areas, golf courses and marinas. [N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)]

Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6 ]

Fires
Fires are not permitted.

Camping
Camping is not permitted.

Keep Your Park Clean and Green
Protect plants and animals and care for your parks by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too. It’s like crowdsourcing trash management! Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in this park. Thank you!

Swimming
No swimming.

Pets
Pets must always be on a leash no longer than six feet in length and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pets.

Tick Protection
Use insect repellent, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, stay on trails, check yourself when you get home, shower and wash clothes immediately.

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Related Links

Bass River State Forest

Park Map

Area Map

General

Phone Number
609-296-1114

Mailing Address
c/o Bass River State Forest
762 Stage Rd
Tuckerton, NJ 08087

Email Address
parks@dep.nj.gov

Park Hours

Gate Sunrise to Sunset

Park Fees

Entrance Fee None

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
39.417085, -74.351212