Strathmere Beach
Strathmere, NJ
Strathmere is the quiet, low key half of Upper Township's coastline, a beach that charges no tag at all in a county where nearly every other town does. It sits right next to Corson's Inlet State Park, and the sand here feels emptier than its badge free status alone would explain, even in the middle of July.
A free, genuinely uncrowded beach next to a real state park is a rare combination this far up the county, though the limited free parking means the emptiness doesn't last much past mid morning.
How we score beachesGet here before 9 in the morning on a summer weekend. Free street parking is the only option, and it disappears fast once word gets out that the beach itself costs nothing.
Street parking is free, though limited and subject to posted signs. Arriving early matters more here than almost anywhere else in the county.
A flat, short walk from street parking leads to the sand, with no boardwalk or paved path involved.
Dogs aren't allowed on the beach from May through September. Leashed dogs are welcome the rest of the year.
Water warms into the low to mid 70s by August, consistent with the rest of the county. The adjacent Corson's Inlet State Park closes to dogs entirely from April through mid September to protect nesting birds.
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