The Best Places For Sunrise & Sunset Photos in New Jersey

NY skyline at dusk

When you are a photographer in New Jersey, there is an abundance of places you can travel to set up your camera for incredible sunrise and sunset shots. Over the years, we have continued collecting unique New Jersey places to capture a sunrise or sunset. We have even created a map for all of them that you can save.

Choose a local spot near you and watch the sun. Before you head out, if you need help capturing the colors of the sky, check out our guide on what you need to photograph the sunrise or sunset.

Bring Your Own Seat To Watch!

Best Sunrise Spots for Photos in New Jersey

One of the first places you probably think about for sunrise photos in New Jersey is the shore. Being on the east coast, we have the pleasure of sitting in the sand and watching the sun rise above the horizon on the Atlantic Ocean. Besides the standard shore sunrise photos, we have some other places to visit in New Jersey to take sunrise photos.

Sunrise & Sunset Spots in New Jersey

Explore Our Sunrise & Sunset Spot Map

NYC Waterfront – Sunrise in New Jersey

Hoboken, NJ

One of our followers, Emma Guinnessey suggested the Hoboken Waterfront overlooking the Hudson River with the New York City Skyline hanging over to visit for sunrises in New Jersey. As you can see in the photo below, the sunrise coming through the NYC skyline is so powerful looking, with the city skyscrapers silhouetted by the morning sun. This is a great place to set up your camera for sunrise in New Jersey.

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Washington Rock – Sunrise in New Jersey

Bridgewater, NJ

If you are looking for a higher elevation to experience the sunrise, you can head up to Washington Rock Park in Bridgewater, NJ. You can drive directly up to the spot where you will be welcomed by a large flag pole and overlook the NYC skyline in the distance. – Photo Credit theunkool on nj.com

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Norvin Green State Forest – Sunrise Spot in New Jersey

Ringwood, NJ

How about a sunrise? If you’re an early bird, you may already know the perfect spot to start off your day, but for us night owls, we may need to plan for it a little more. In addition to the views of the vast Jersey wilderness, Norvin Green State Forest in North Jersey will provide you with the rise and the shine!

Barnegat Light – Sunrise Spot in New Jersey

Long Beach Island, NJ

Whoever captured this sunset has some serious photography skills. The borough of Barnegat Light is home to the famous Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island. Here, the sun rises and sets as far as the eye can see a reason this made a list. You can get the most out of a sunrise down the shore, where the ocean meets the sun.

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Sunset Spots In New Jersey for Photos

When living in New Jersey, it can be great to find places to take sunrise photos with the shore, but there are some unique places to take photos of the sunsets in the Garden State too. We have a few of our community members’ suggestions for the best sunset photo spots in New Jersey.

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Surprise Beach Sunset Photos

Belmar, NJ

When you are in Belmar, you would expect that it would be a place to take photos of the sunrise, but our community member Trisha M. Capparelli shared the below photo of the sky colors. While this shot doesn’t have the sun in the photo, the colors spread across the sky from the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean are beautiful.

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Sunset at the Banks of the Delaware River

Delanco, NJ

Great photography starts with inspiration, so go where you feel most alive. Delanco, New Jersey, is the perfect setting on the banks of the Delaware River, offering a crisp atmosphere of viewability. If you want to capture a pure sunset with only exposure of nature, this is the place.

Sunset Photos At Manasquan Inlet

Manasquan, NJ

This photo of the sunset in Manasquan Inlet is a great place to stake out for some sunset photos and color magic in the sky in New Jersey. It’s also close to our sunrise and sunset spots of Manasquan Reservoir. Another suggestion by Trisha M. Capparelli is that this is a great place to get some great colors and clouds in the sky, but we like that the water can have a great reflection too.

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Sunset Spot at Cooper River Park

Pennsauken, NJ

You don’t always need a vantage point to experience a view. The Cooper River flows into the Delaware River, romanticizing an already scenic landscape outside Philadelphia. All you need to do is get the environment right for the night sky colors to shine. This is the “skyline” defined.

Want more Philly Photo spots? See our guide!

Beach Sunset Photo Spot at Jenks Beach

Point Pleasant, NJ

Anyone in New Jersey who says they wouldn’t want palm trees in their sunset photo shot is lying. Being in the northeast, we aren’t lucky enough to have too many palm trees, but if you visit Jenks Beach in New Jersey, you can. With the vast sky and the possibility of silhouette palm trees, Jenks beach is another great spot for sunset photos in New Jersey. Big thanks again to Trisha M. Capparelli for this place and photo.

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Farmland Sunset Spot in Central Jersey

Chesterfield Park, NJ

Remember when we mentioned farmland sunsets? Didn’t we tell you they were special? Here, you can capture the perfect shot of Earth transitioning from day to night. New Jersey may not be referred to as “Big Sky Country” (we can’t have it all), but farmland in Chesterfield Park offers a wide-open viewing experience engulfing you in the vibrancy that comes pretty close. Look ahead and look up. There’s quite a lot to see.

Over The Highlands Sunset Photo Spot

Sandy Hook, NJ

One of our followers Charles (@charles_winant), shared some of his favorite sunset shots he photographed at Sandy Hook, NJ. A popular place for people to venture to in New Jersey, with the bay on one side and the ocean on the other, you have a great wide-angle view of the horizon as the sun sets.

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Before you go, find the best spot…

Next time you search for the best places to photograph the sunset or sunrise in New Jersey, check out some of the favorite places our community has suggested across the entire state. Use our map below to help you find your next favorite spot…

Use Our Sunrise & Sunset Map

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