A red maple in bright fall color at the edge of a green woodland

Hours & Fees

Cheesequake State Park's gate is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, and the park office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entry is free from Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, New Jersey residents pay $5 per car on weekdays and $10 on weekends and holidays; non-residents pay $10 and $20. Oversized vehicles pay double. A New Jersey State Park Pass, $50 for residents, covers a calendar year of entry, and New Jersey residents 62 or older can get in free.

At a Glance

Hours & Fees at a Glance

Gate8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily

Park office8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily

Nature Center9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday (staff permitting)

Entry, Labor Day to Memorial Day weekendFree

Summer weekdays$5 NJ residents, $10 non-residents (per car)

Summer weekends & holidays$10 NJ residents, $20 non-residents (per car)

Oversized vehiclesDouble the fee

State Park Pass$50 NJ residents, $75 non-residents, plus $3 fee

NJ residents 62+ or totally disabledFree entry with an approved pass application

Hours

Park gate: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., open daily.
Park office: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., open daily. Phone 732-566-2161.
Nature Center: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, subject to staff availability. NJDEP asks you to call ahead: 732-566-3208.
Swimming: only while lifeguards are on duty, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day (Swimming).
Campground: April 1 to October 31 (Camping).

2026 Entrance Fees

Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend: free.

Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day (per vehicle):

Weekdays: $5 for New Jersey residents, $10 for non-residents
Weekends and holidays: $10 for New Jersey residents, $20 for non-residents
Oversized vehicles pay twice the regular fee. NJDEP defines oversized as anything that won't fit a 10-by-20-foot parking space, such as an RV or a car towing a trailer.

NJDEP lists no separate walk-in or bicycle fee for Cheesequake.

A small paved trailhead parking lot at the edge of an oak forest with three parked cars seen from behind at a distance, a wooden post fence

The New Jersey State Park Pass

Price: $50 for New Jersey residents, $75 for non-residents, plus a $3 administrative fee per pass.
Second family vehicle: $25 for residents, $35 for non-residents, bought at the same time as the first pass.
What it covers: free entrance for one calendar year at New Jersey state parks and forests that charge daily parking or walk-in fees.
Where to buy: through the NJ Outdoors portal linked from NJDEP's fees page.

Free Entry for Seniors and People with Disabilities

New Jersey residents age 62 or older, and residents who are totally disabled, get free admission and free parking at New Jersey state parks once they provide proof of their status through the pass application. They also get $2 off each night at state park campsites.

When the Park Fills Up

NJDEP closes parks to new cars when day-use parking is full, most often on Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends and other warm summer weekends. Once that happens, no more vehicles get in, even if part of your group is already inside; only visitors with camping or picnic-shelter reservations are admitted. Check NJDEP's park operating status map before you leave, arrive early, and travel in one car.

Group and Bus Visits

Groups of 20 or more need a picnic reservation at least five days ahead (Plan Your Visit). Bus groups need a confirmed reservation and may visit only on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, never on weekends or holidays.

A snow-covered open field edged with bare oak trees and a few evergreens, gentle low sun

FAQ

Hours & Fees FAQ

How much does it cost to get into Cheesequake State Park?

Free from Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend. In summer, New Jersey residents pay $5 per car on weekdays and $10 on weekends and holidays; non-residents pay $10 and $20.

What are Cheesequake State Park's hours?

The gate is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The park office is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the Nature Center 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday.

Are NJ state parks free for seniors?

Yes, for New Jersey residents 62 or older, who get free admission and parking after verifying their age through the State Park Pass application. They also get $2 off campsites.

How much is a New Jersey State Park Pass?

$50 for New Jersey residents and $75 for non-residents, plus a $3 administrative fee. It covers entry for one calendar year.

Is Cheesequake State Park free in winter?

Yes. Entry is free every day from Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend.