One of the Most Visited National Parks in America is Here in NJ

One thing I love is highlighting the many wonderful areas we have right here at the Jersey Shore and around the beautiful Garden State that we can enjoy.

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Yes we have some spots that need a good overhaul, but that is the case everywhere in the world, so let’s stay with the positive and maybe you didn’t even know this location was right here in your backyard.

According to a new article, the Top 10 Most Visited National Parks list was released and one of the Top 10 locations is right here at the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County. In the new report Gateway National Recreation Area, part of which is in Sandy Hook, came in the number four spot with 9.1 million visitors in 2021.

Shawn Michaels

Part of beautiful Gateway National Recreation Area is Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock. So much history at Sandy Hook with the iconic Lighthouse, built in 1764, and Fort Hancock it is definitely worth a day trip on a nice day to walk and see these Jersey Shore landmarks.

Shawn Michaels

The first gun batteries were put in place at Fort Hancock in 1896 and served the United States Army until 1950 as part of what was known as the Harbor Defenses of New York.

If your looking to pack the family or class up this spring and do a Jersey Shore day trip put Gateway National Recreation Area on your list and enjoy both Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock. There are also lots of seaside towns in the area here in Monmouth County to check out as well. Here are the TOP 10 according to the CNN article.

These were the top 10 for 2021, which includes national parks but also parkways, recreation areas, memorials and related sites (figures are rounded off):

1. Blue Ridge Parkway: 15.9 million

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 14.1 million

3. Golden Gate National Recreation Area: 13.7 million

4. Gateway National Recreation Area: 9.1 million

5. Lake Mead National Recreation Area: 7.6 million

6. George Washington Memorial Parkway: 6.8 million

7. Natchez Trace Parkway: 6.4 million

8. Lincoln Memorial: 5.8 million

9. Gulf Islands National Seashore: 5.5 million

10. Zion National Park: 5 million

Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook, NJ

Gateway National Recreation Area is one of the Top 10 most visited National Park areas in America and it’s right here at the beautiful Jersey Shore, New Jersey

LOOK: Stunning vintage photos capture the beauty of America's national parks

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.