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Shark River Park

Facebook Logo1101 Schoolhouse Road, Wall, NJ 07753
732-922-4080 - Ranger Station     
Park Brochure & Map | Tick Advisory   
Park opens at 7 a.m. daily, year round.     
Closing time is 7 p.m. through November 2; 5:30 p.m. November 3-January 14; and 6 p.m. January 15-February 11.  

PARK NEWS: 

  • Portions of this site will be open for deer hunting during the 2024/2025 season. Click here for a list of hunting dates and boundaries.
  • Shelter Building restrooms, located on Schoolhouse Road, are closed for repairs. Portable toilets are available for public use.  
  • Three black bears were spotted at Shark River Park on July 7, 2022. Please be observant and do not approach the animals. Report sightings to park rangers at 732-577-8700.
  • Visitor Advisory - Visitors are urged not to leave valuables in their cars and to notify Park Rangers of any suspicious activity in parking lots. To reach a Park Ranger, contact the County emergency communications center at 732-577-8700.

playground at shark river park

Take in some fresh air and the beauty of nature at Shark River Park. The Park System's first park, opened in 1961, occupies 992 acres on either side of the Shark River in Neptune and Wall Townships and Tinton Falls. A recent addition to the park includes the acquisition of 1-acre waterfront parcel on Riverview Avenue in Neptune City. The former boatyard will be open to visitors in 2025 and will include a small parking lot, observation pier, seating areas and restored landscape of native plants.

lake at shark river park

The park's waterways, sandy hills, forests and ponds attract anglers and hikers in the summer, and cross country skiers and ice skaters in the winter. Children can enjoy climbing, swinging and sliding on the playground year round.  Area residents can fish for largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish, yellow perch, shiners and black crappie. The Shark River, which flows near the pond, is stocked seasonally with trout. A state fishing license is required for anglers over age 16.

There are also facilities for shuffleboard and horseshoes: equipment may be signed out for free at the Shelter Building. Visitors can also enjoy picnic tables and grills available on a first come, first served basis.

reservable shelter building at shark river park

Reservable Group Picnic Areas
Shark River Park features reservable group picnic areas and is a great spot to host a family reunion, an office get together, or a bunch of friends.

reservable group use picnic shelter at shark river park

Trails
Plants and animals common to the wetlands/floodplain community as well as the pine/oak forest habitat can be spotted from these trails. A fitness trail is available. (8.27 miles of trails)

In accordance with New Jersey’s Smoke Free Air Act, all Monmouth County parks are tobacco free. The ban applies to cigarettes, pipes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and vaporize cigarettes, as well as smokeless tobacco such as snuff and chew.   

 

Directions

  • State Hwy. 18 to Exit 8 (Rt. 33 west to Schoolhouse Rd.) Turn left onto Schoolhouse Rd. Follow to Park.
  • Garden State Parkway to exit 100 (Hwy. 33 east). Continue on Hwy. 33 to Schoolhouse Rd. Turn right onto Schoolhouse Rd. Follow to Park. 
  • State Hwy. 35 to Hwy. 33 west to Schoolhouse Rd. Turn left onto Schoolhouse Rd. Follow to Park.