Ideal Beach — Attraction in Middletown Township

Our community beach which has seen a lot more visitors in the recent years is a local gem. Since it's a township beach it is raked at least once per week in the Summer months. Residents and visitors can help keep it clean by taking their trash with them when they leave. Cans are located in the free parking lot. It is policed more frequently on the weekend. Tickets and warnings have been given to those not abiding by the ordinances. No dogs, bbq, fires, alcohol, etc. 2 clean ocean action sweeps each year happen in April and October. Shower is located to the right of occasionally opened restrooms. Respect the beach and the neighborhood. Keansburg is north of Ideal beach and allows the above mentioned that are not allowed on this Middletown beach. Enjoy the City view and the calm bay water...Sandy Hook, a federal park, is 15...

It was cold yesterday so there was only one other person there, and they were fishing - that's an option. Seemed to be free parking and a very short walk from parking lot to beach. The beach itself is long but from sand to water not so much. There is a small section of soft sand area but it turns in shells and pebbles pretty quickly. There was some trash on the beach as well as a significant amount of wood debris...actual logs, and a two by four (weird). Had a great view to the city though and no...

Beach is BEAUTIFUL! There isn't a boardwalk, but it's perfect to sit by the ocean and read. But it's upsetting that the free parking is now a pay by meter parking. I've been coming here for 4 years and the first time coming back since the start of the pandemic, I was surprised by a ticket on my windshield and unfortunately the free parking is ruined and over ): it would've been a five-star review had it not been the newly implemented meter...