Welcome to Long Beach Island! You’ve finally arrived after surviving the heavy traffic, and now you’re ready to stretch those legs. But the roads are bustling with cars. With limited crosswalks and sidewalks, you might be wondering: Where can I go for my walk? Fortunately, Long Beach Island is full of scenic spots and walkable areas perfect for getting your steps in.
Choose your route 🚶
Holgate Beach Wilderness Area
Head to the southern tip of Long Beach Island and you’ll find the Holgate entrance to the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. A large parking lot marks the start of a pristine, 3.5-mile stretch of protected beach. The full out-and-back walk is about 7 miles, but you can turn around whenever you like.
The refuge is open to the public from September 1 to March 31. It’s closed from April 1 to August 31 to protect nesting shorebirds. For an easier walk, plan your visit around low tide, when the sand is firmer and more passable.
For more information, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/edwin-b-forsythe
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
At the northern tip of the island lies Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, a haven for walkers and nature lovers. Climb to the top of the historic Barnegat Lighthouse before it closes at 3 PM for sweeping views of the bay and ocean. Stroll the stone promenade and scan the rocks for marine life, or explore the Maritime Forest Trail, a peaceful 0.2-mile loop through one of Long Beach Island’s last remaining patches of maritime forest.
For more information, visit: https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnegatlighthousestatepark.html
LBIF Nature Trail
The Long Beach Island Foundation (LBIF) maintains a protected marshland that extends into the bay—perfect for a peaceful nature walk. Park in the LBIF lot and head to the trailhead just beyond the camp buildings. The walk is about a mile long, mostly along a dirt path that eventually transitions to a boardwalk through the marsh. At the end, you’ll find an Osprey viewing blind—an ideal spot for birdwatching. Bring your binoculars to catch a glimpse of the osprey family that nests here each summer, along with a variety of other local wildlife.
For more information, visit: https://www.lbifoundation.org/naturetrail
Downtown Beach Haven
Downtown Beach Haven is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, offering a lively mix of shops, restaurants, bars, cafés, and attractions. Wide sidewalks and a walkable layout make it easy to explore, and the vibrant atmosphere draws both locals and visitors alike. It’s the heart of the island where everyone comes to wander, browse, and enjoy the scene. Park at Bay Village and begin your exploration!
For more information, visit: https://www.visitbeachhaven.com/
Cedar Bonnet Island Park
Take a peaceful nature stroll on your way onto or off the island. If you’re driving toward the island, the parking lot is conveniently located on the right side, just after the first bridge. There’s a turnaround spot for drivers heading off the island to easily access the lot. The trail offers up to 1.5 miles of scenic walking paths and is part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
For more information, visit: https://www.fws.gov/media/cedar-bonnet-island-cbi-trail-map-0
The Beach
For an easy and accessible walk, simply head straight to the beach. Long Beach Island boasts 18 miles of uninterrupted shoreline—some have even challenged themselves to hike the entire coast. For the best walking experience, plan your visit around low tide when the sand is flatter and more compact.
For more information, visit: https://welcometolbi.com/directory/categories/beaches/
Ocean Boulevard - Beach Ave
Each morning, this beachside road transforms into a lively parade of walkers, runners, bikers, and fitness enthusiasts getting their workout in before heading to the beach. A great place to park is at the public beach pavilion in Long Beach Township on 68th street. Thanks to the low speed limit and heavy foot traffic, cars tend to avoid the area during peak walking hours, creating a safe and welcoming space for outdoor activity.
For more information, visit: https://www.longbeachtownship.com/venue/68th-street-ocean-beach/
Hideaway Bay Nature Trail
This short, easy nature trail is tucked away in Long Beach Township, just off Long Beach Boulevard near Nebraska Avenue. Parking is available on the bay side, just off the main road. The trail leads to a peaceful public bayfront area, where you can stroll along the water or relax on one of the many benches—perfect for catching a sunset.
For more information, visit: https://www.longbeachtownship.com/parks-recreation
Barnegat Branch Trail
Located just off the island in Barnegat, this trail is part of a rail-to-trail project transforming the old Barnegat Branch Division of the Central Railroad of New Jersey into a walking and biking path. The project is being completed in phases and will eventually span 15.6 miles, connecting Barnegat to Toms River. A convenient parking lot is located just outside the trail entrance in Barnegat.
For more information, visit: https://www.oceancountyparks.org/frmregcontentprks?ID=dff0a154-b270-4233-b16e-2adb6e59a243
Barnegat Light Dune Trail
Just before the lighthouse, a series of sandy trails wind through the dunes, connecting the beach entrances between 3rd and 13th Streets. These paths offer a scenic walk and eventually lead you right onto the beach. You can park near the lighthouse or around 4th Street, and hop onto the trail from any beach access point along the way.
For more information, visit: https://southjerseytrails.wordpress.com/tag/barnegat-light/
Patrick Johns is a New Jersey writer with a background in engineering and mathematics. He spent his summers on LBI glued to his beach chair reading his next favorite book. He worked at Custard Hut, Country Kettle Chowder, Thundering Surf Waterpark, and Long Beach Island Foundation. After working for a large engineering firm for 3 years outside Washington D.C., he discovered his passion for writing and decided to move to Spain. For 4 years he taught English overseas, wrote and published his own fantasy and poetry books, wrote and performed his own music live, and got involved in many freelance projects like copywriting, editing, and book coaching. Currently back in the US, Patrick is passionate about inspiring people with non-writing backgrounds to gain the confidence, routine, and skills to finally start the book they’ve always wanted to write. He’s convinced his writing journey blossomed from those days reading on the beach in Long Beach Island.
When he’s not writing, you can find him…
🏄 Out in the ocean, surfing some narly waves
📚 Reading whatever he can get his hands on
🗺️ Traveling and seeking inspiration for his next book
Follow Patrick’s writing journey on his website:
www.patrickjohnswrites.com