Hold on to the map and information sheet you will get at the gatehouse – it will be of good use to find your way in the dunes. You may actually get lost despite the map, as the trails are sometimes difficult to spot and follow in the dunes. However, the sand dune area is small enough that you will always find your way back to the parking lot or to the beach itself.

In this environment where trails are not individually named, you may want to pick a hike yourself based on the map and try to follow it thoroughly. All trails depart from the right side of parking lot, or from the beach on the right of the main acess boardwalk. After having been there, we suggest you try to reach Castle Neck River, on the South side of the dune area, through one of the three trails that lead to it. You will probably find the small beach there deserted, and you will have a nice view of Hog Island across the river. It is a nice place to rest or to have lunch. From the river, you can either backtrack to the parking lot through one the two main trails that lead to it, or decide to head North to the beach. You will then walk on the beach itself back to the main access boardwalk and parking lot.

Remember that dunes are very fragile – always stay on trails even if you are not sure they lead you where you want, and do not walk on the beach grass planted to limit erosion. Also remember that walking in the sand can wear you out quicker than on firm surfaces, and do not overestimate your strength when deciding how much of the area to explore.

Considering the relatively high entrance fee, you may want to spend the whole day at Crane Beach, exploring the dunes in the morning and walking along the beach in the afternoon after a good picnic.