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Private cottage at the entrance of Island Beach State Park

Photo gallery for Private cottage at the entrance of Island Beach State Park

A house with a patio, outdoor furniture, and potted plants.
A beach with a clear sky, sandy shore, and a few people and umbrellas.
A compact kitchen with wooden cabinets, a refrigerator, stove, and a dining area with a table and chairs.
A living room with a dining table, chairs, a television, and a lamp on a table.
A bedroom with a bed, dresser, nightstand, lamp, and two windows with blinds.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Seaside Park Beach

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Onsite parking available
  • Internet

Explore the area

View map
Seaside Park, NJ
  • Place, Island Beach State Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Island Beach State Park Entrance
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Seaside Park Beach
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Belmar, NJ (BLM-Monmouth Executive)
    ‪34 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Dining area

Add dates for prices

Similar properties

About the area

Seaside Park

Located in South Seaside Park, a neighbourhood in Seaside Park, this cottage is near theme parks and near the beach. Seaside Heights Historical Museum and John F. Peto Studio Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Barnegat Lighthouse and The Museum at Barnegat Light. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex or RWJBarnabas Health Arena. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and cycling nearby.
Map
Seaside Park, NJ

What's nearby

  • Island Beach State Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Island Beach State Park Entrance - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Seaside Park Beach - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Island Beach - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • 5th Avenue Park - 2 min drive - 1.8 km

Getting around

  • Belmar, NJ (BLM-Monmouth Executive) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Beachcomber Bar - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Sawmill - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Kohr's Frozen Custard, The Original - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Bum Rogers Crab House & Tavern - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Three Brothers Pizza From Italy - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private cottage at the entrance of Island Beach State Park pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Private cottage at the entrance of Island Beach State Park?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private cottage at the entrance of Island Beach State Park?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private cottage at the entrance of Island Beach State Park?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private cottage at the entrance of Island Beach State Park located?

Located in South Seaside Park, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Island Beach State Park, Island Beach State Park Entrance and Seaside Park Beach. Island Beach and 5th Avenue Park are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 37 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay @ Gail & Don's place. It's walking distance to the beach, bay, restaurants & night life. The place was very clean and has a nice private courtyard.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location. Clean and very comfortable with everything you need for amazing vacation. Gail and Don are professional and great hosts.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 6 June 2026
Kerry, Don and I want to thank you for being the perfect guest. Not only were you a pleasure to speak with and reminisce about our town years ago but your care of the cottage did not go unnoticed. Thank you again and please think of us if you are ever visiting Seaside again! ~Gail & Don~
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place was great. Very close to the bay, the beach and restaurants. Hard to beat that. Also:, the hosts were really friendly and very easy going which made the whole experience seemless. So a cozy place for a great price and hard to top location....can't beat that!
Stayed 8 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 2 June 2026
Thank you so much Bill. It was a pleasure having you as our first guest of the summer! Don and I appreciate the kind words, and you are welcome back anytime. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was an amazing place to stay. We could walk or bike to a lot of places, yet it was a quiet neighborhood. We walked to the bay for sunsets most nights (very close), and the ocean for sunrises a few times. We biked nice big loops around town, and enjoyed gorgeous Island Beach State Park to the fullest. There’s plenty of good food within a half hour drive, and the pine barrens offers great hiking. We saw red fox, dolphins, a buck, pelicans, oystercatchers, a groundhog, and more. The temperature, bed, and electric recliner were all very comfortable. The kitchen was roomy, with extras like scissors stocked. The outdoor shower was great after the beach. The owners could not have been more helpful, responsive, or kind. They alerted us about the storm coming, and kept us updated on local flooding. They thought of everything, including offering extension cords before we thought we might need them. Being able to use the bikes was excellent, and they even provided tools for them. We look forward to coming back the next time we visit NJ!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A lovely place near the bay and beach

We really enjoyed our stay. The place was peaceful and a great location. The hosts take great care to ensure you have everything you need including things that you don't often get in other places. The hosts are very welcoming people.Thank you Gail and Don for being great hosts!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2025
Ann, Don and I are so glad that you enjoyed your stay; you were the perfect guests! Please come visit again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything we were looking for

Quiet comfortable accommodations, best beach on the island, short walking distance to great restaurants, amenities such as beach cart, chairs and umbrella made for a perfect day at the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice

Great location, comfortable
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely beach getaway

The Backhouse was perfect for our end of summer vacation at the shore. Fantastic location, perfectly appointed, and the chimenea and bbq were exactly what we had hoped for and made for some lovely relaxing evenings on the patio. Gail and Don are excellent hosts and they have a lovely place here.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Seaside Park Cottage

This little bungalow was at the perfect location at the entrance to Island Beach State Park. It was clean, cozy, and convenient to the Boardwalk and all the popular barrier island dining and tourist spots. We will not hesitate to come back!
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing again

We love this place, the location, the amenities, and especially the patio and chimenea! It’s our second time staying here and hopefully no where near our last.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 15 July 2020
Thank you so much Amanda; Don and I are so glad you enjoyed your stay and got to enjoy Island Beach State Park as well as the chimenea!! Please do come again, it was our pleasure to host you. Gail & Don
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place for couple getaway!

The cottage was very clean and had everything we needed. Gail & Don greeted us at the house and were always available by phone to answer any questions about the area or help us with any issues we were having at the house. Great hosts! We hope to go again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2023
Mary, thank you for taking the time to review your stay. Don and I are so happy you enjoyed your time at our cottage and we thank you for your kind words. Enjoy the rest of your summer and we hope to see you again! Gail & Don
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation extraordinaire!!

Our week at the cottage was beyond amazing! The weather was perfect every day and Don and Gail are so accommodating and friendly! We are hoping to be able to rent the cottage for a week again next summer. This vacation did not disappoint!! Deb and Bob
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect cottage

We had a wonderful week at this terrific cottage by the bay. The place was immaculate and the patio area was spacious and beautiful, with a terrific outdoor shower. The owners were welcoming and warm, and available if you needed anything. The location was outstanding- a short walk to the bay and the ocean, and to the entrance of Island Beach State Park. We look forward to returning!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for Two

This cottage is absolutely perfect for two people. The owners are meticulous in the maintenance of thie cottage and the grounds. The patio area is very well kept and is for use only by occupants of the cottage. The neighborhood is quiet. Access to the bay is just down the street. The ocean is about two blocks away. And the entrance to Island Beach State Park is just down the road. This is the best place we have ever rented at the shore!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 June 2023
Thank you so much for your kind words, George and Linda. It was our pleasure to have you as our guests and Don and I are so happy that you found our cottage to be so inviting. Hope to see you again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house and hosts are top notch! Perfect beach house with everything you need, including beach tags, beach wagon, outdoor shower, beach umbrella and two beach cruiser bicycles. The kitchen is well stocked and very clean. Hosts Gail and Don are very nice and friendly. The house itself has a beautiful private backyard with lovely trees, plants and flowers. It includes a new grill and chiminea, which we did not use. The location so close to Island Beach State Park was a mean draw. You can easily go clamming, swimming and biking in the park. There are restaurants and bakeries close by. Overall an excellent stay. We really enjoyed ourselves and very highly recommend this house.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy and Quiet Cottage

Hubby & I spent a week at this cozy, quiet cottage and just LOVED it! Owners Gail & Don paid attention to every detail in the cottage. It was immaculate! The property itself was well maintained and had beautiful flowers blooming in the yard. We were able to walk to/from the beach daily and each evening walked to the marina a half block away and sat watching the wind surfers! Morning walks were perfect along the marina as well. Lots of people biking, walking. We hope to rent again next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 30 July 2022
Thank you so much Vivian and Tom for your review. Our goal is that each of our guests get to experience the beauty of the Jersey Shore as well as enjoy the comforts of our little cottage. It was our pleasure to meet you--you were the perfect guests!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming bungalow

Gail and Don were very considerate of our covid shyness and gave us contactless check in. They were also respectful of our privacy. The place was spotless. We brought a lot of our beach things but they had chairs, umbrellas, a beach cart and beach cruisers available. So close to Island State Beach Park that daily bike rides in were a must. Very convenient for kayaking and paddle boarding. Quiet, uncrowded beach, walk to a few different restaurants. We loved the outside shower so much we never used the inside one!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay!

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Seaside Park.The accommodations are excellent for a person, like me, who cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything was clean, in working order, and set up as shown. Not only was there an immaculate indoor shower, but an outdoor shower that was a big plus when coming back from the beach sandy. The outdoor grill worked great! I enjoyed dining al fresco nightly on the lovely outdoor patio set. The location was ideal for me! I love going to Island Beach State Park for my beach time. This home is on the street right next to the entrance!Not only was the beach pristine, I enjoyed the Nature Center, the Interpretive Center, and the trails that Island Beach State Park offers. And, the lifeguards are so well trained and right on top of surveillance of the beach! Gail and Don offer free bicycles and helmets if you want to bike as well.Speaking of location, on the other end of the street is the bay. The nightly sunsets there were beautiful! This cottage is only a 5 minute drive from Seaside Heights boardwalk as well. I enjoyed my time there on the ferris wheel, the sky ride, and of course having ice cream and chocolate. Gail and Don were friendly and helpful, but they were never intrusive in any way. Great hosts!!!Overall, I would love to come to this cottage again in the future! I highly recommend it to a single or a double traveling. 5 stars!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2025
Thank you so much LouAnn for your kind remarks. Don and I are so happy that you enjoyed your stay at our cottage and had so much fun exploring our beautiful surroundings. It was lovely to make your acquaintance, and we hope you come visit again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect cottage for a couple!

This cottage met all our needs perfectly. The photographs don't capture just how beautiful, well-maintained and immaculate it is. It's located on a quiet street right near the entrance to Island Beach State Park, and a short walk from the bay (for beautiful sunsets) and the beach, in a quiet spot behind the main house. The cottage itself is the perfect size for a couple. It has a fully-equipped kitchen, where we prepared most of our meals, a dining table, and a very comfortable reclining couch. The bathroom is laid out well and has a great shower. The outside shower with hot and cold water is an extra bonus when returning from the beach covered in sand! The bedroom has a full-size bed, dresser and large closet. We were able to unpack everything and stow our suitcases, coolers, etc. in the closet. Our hosts were very welcoming and accessible for questions. They have lived in the area for a long time and have a wealth of information. The outside area has a table with and umbrella, comfortable Adirondack-style chairs, an outdoor grill and a fire pit (complete with firewood). The area is behind the main house and is quite and private. We slept soundly in this quiet corner of South Seaside Park. The AC kept is cool and comfortable. The following items were provided: Hand soap, dish detergent, dish towels and cloths, toilet paper, sheets, a bath mat, garbage bags, beach chairs, a wagon to transport beach stuff, and even bicycles with locks. Items to bring with you: Beach and bath towels, washcloths, paper towels, bath soap, shampoo. We are already planning our return to this beautiful cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 2 July 2022
Thank you so much Mariette for your kind words! It was our pleasure to have you as our guest and we look forward to your return. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Close to former home

Well maintained ,thoughtful approach to renter needs as reflected in supplies and amenities
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

South Seaside Park

Wonderful, private, quiet, cozy cottage. 4 excellent restaurants within close walking distance. Sunsets on the bay just a few steps away, and the beach a half mile away. Highly recommend!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy, clean and close to everything

Really cute place, well equipped kitchen, outdoor shower which we loved, nice yard. Very close to everything. Beach, bay, restaurants, park. Home owners were very nice and accommodating. They have bikes, beach chairs for your use, though we had our own. Will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best ever!

Our hosts went above and beyond. They even loaned bikes and kayaks. Surpassed our expectations. We recommend highly!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome!!!!!

What a wonderful vacation! The cottage was perfect for us. We love the state park and my husband used it every single day for running and cycling. Mostly everything was provided for us, we didn't have to look a long chairs umbrellas and everything for the beach. They had it all there for us. Gail and Don, our hosts, we're magnificent. No one could ever ask for better hosts. We will definitely be back again.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location, Excellent Hosts! Great Accomadations

Great Cottage, perfect location right next to bay, easy access to Island Beach State Park, and easy access to Ocean Beaches, not to mention the boardwalk.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021
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