All The Winter 2018/2019 Events At Sandy Hook

SANDY HOOK GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA (HIGHLANDS, NJ) — Many of you will be seeking things to do for the 2018/2019 winter season, and the National Park Service is here to help.

The perfect solution for wintertime cabin fever, kids on school break, visiting friends and family, there is so much to do this winter at Sandy Hook:

Lighthouse Keepers Quarters: Sandy Hook Visitor Center

Visitor Center Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., November 1 –April 30
Lighthouse Tours: Daily, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., November 1 – April 30
Tours are first-come, first-served. Visitors must be 48 inches tall to climb the tower. Sign up in the 1883 Keeper’s Quarters for free lighthouse tours, and see exhibits on New Jersey lighthouses,
a rotating art exhibit, and visit the gift shop. Grounds and video in adjacent barn are always open. Groups must make advance reservations. Call 732-872-5970 for more information.

Eastern National Gift Shop Visitor Center/Keepers Quarters
Open daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

History House at Fort Hancock’s Officers Row, Building 1
Open weekends, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

An 1898 lieutenant’s quarters on “Officers Row” overlooking Sandy Hook Bay is furnished to resemble the WWII era, the busiest time in the fort’s history.

Sandy Hook Migrants and Waterfowl Walk with Monmouth County Audubon Society
Meet at Spermaceti Cove Parking Lot (between Lot D and Lot E)
Sunday, December 9 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Join us in search of migrant birds that move south to winter along our coast. We will look for waterfowl, hawks, and lingering land birds. Wear layers, comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars. 1 mile.

Christmas Holly Walk

Meet at Spermaceti Cove Parking Lot (between Lot D and Lot E)
Sunday, December 9 from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Enjoy the winter scenery and learn about the “holly” of Christmas with a ranger-guided walk around Sandy Hook’s 64-acre maritime Holly Forest. 1 mile.

1943 Christmas at Fort Hancock History House

Saturday, December 15 from 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 16 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Join the members of the Army Ground Forces Association in WWII-period uniforms as they bring the Christmas of 1943 back to life. Experience Christmas as officers, soldiers, and families of Fort
Hancock would have experienced in 1943 in an officer’s house, authentically decorated for the season.

Santa Claus will be there Sunday, Dec. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3:30. Meet Santa and share your Christmas wish list with him. Enjoy the caroling of a musical vocal trio from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments and goodies will be provided.

January:

New Year’s Day Beach Walk Meet at Building 18, Fort Hancock
Tuesday, January 1 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Greet the New Year with a winter stroll on Sandy Hook. Afterwards, warm up at Littoral Society Headquarters with hot cocoa and hot dogs. Potluck desserts and contributions are welcome! Free. Contact: (732) 291-0055 for more information and to reserve. 2 miles.

Battery Gunnison/New Peck Restoration
Saturday, January 5 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The Army Ground Forces Association is a volunteer group in WWII era uniform performing restoration projects and interpreting Battery Gunnison/New Peck. Visitors are invited to stop by to chat and learn more about restoration of Battery Gunnison/New Peck, and the historic time period of winter 1943 at Fort Hancock.

Winter Seal and Waterfowl Walk Meet at Building 18, Fort Hancock Historic Post
Saturday, January 26 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Bring your binoculars and join us on a trek throughout Sandy Hook to observe the seals and waterfowl that overwinter in New Jersey. We will be caravanning to multiple locations on Sandy Hook. Afterwards, warm up at Littoral Society Headquarters with snacks and toasty beverages. Cost is $10 member/$20 non- member per person, and reservations are required. Call (732) 291-0055 to reserve. 1 mile.

Winter Twilight Exploration Lighthouse Keepers Quarters
Saturday, January 26 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Enjoy the Hook from dusk to dark with this exploration of Sandy Hook’s trails and beaches. BYO flashlight! 1 mile.

February:

Winter Seal and Waterfowl Walk Meet at Building 18, Fort Hancock Historic Post

Thursday, February 14 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Bring your binoculars and join us on a trek throughout Sandy Hook to observe the seals and waterfowl that overwinter in New Jersey. We will be caravanning to multiple locations on Sandy Hook. Afterwards, warm up at Littoral Society Headquarters with snacks and toasty beverages. Cost is $10 member/$20 non- member per person, and reservations are required. Call (732) 291-0055 to reserve. 1 mile

Battery Gunnison/New Peck Restoration Saturday, February 16 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The Army Ground Forces Association is a volunteer group in WWII-era uniform performing restoration projects and interpreting Battery Gunnison/New Peck. February 2018 marks the 76th anniversary of the Army’s decision to convert Battery Gunnison to New Peck. The conversion entailed moving Battery Peck’s guns to Battery Gunnison and modernizing the structure which created “New Battery Peck.” Visitors are invited to stop by to chat and learn more about restoration of Battery Gunnison/New Peck, and the historic time period of winter 1943 at Fort Hancock.

Winter Night Prowl Meet at Spermaceti Cove Parking Lot (between Lot D and Lot E)
Saturday, February 16
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Bring a flashlight on this after-dark sensory walk through Sandy Hook’s 64-acre maritime holly forest. 1 mile.

Search for Waterfowl and Seals with the Monmouth County Audubon Society Meet in the Spermaceti Cove Parking Lot (between Lot D and Lot E)
Sunday, February 24 10 a.m. to noon

Join us in search of loons and ducks that spend the winter in our waters and several species of seals that haul out on sandbars during low tide. Wear layers, comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars. 2 miles.

Junior Ranger Animal Tracking: Meet at the U.S. Life-Saving Station at Spermaceti Cove (Between Lot D & Lot E)
Sunday, February 24 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Identify tracks from the beach to the forest. A park ranger will teach children ages 7 to 12 the skills
of tracking wildlife by discovering tracks or the remains left behind. Please call (732) 872-5970 to make reservations. 1 mile.

Winter Seal and Waterfowl Walk Meet at Building 18, Fort Hancock Historic Post
Monday, February 25 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Bring your binoculars and join us on a trek throughout Sandy Hook to observe the seals and waterfowl that overwinter in New Jersey. We will be caravanning to multiple locations on Sandy Hook. Afterwards, warm up at Littoral Society Headquarters with snacks and toasty beverages. Cost is $10 member/$20 nonmember per person, and reservations are required. Call (732) 291- 0055 to reserve. 1 mile.

Photo: Snowy Sunset, by Maureen Kotusky, 2016. Used with permission from the National Park Service.