Approaching the bay side, one finds reeds and a muddy estuary that is home to blue crabs and herons and other marine birds.

Shrubs in the park include Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica and Myrica cerifera), Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), Beach plum (Prunus maritima), Swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), Red and Black Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia and Aronia melanocarpa), Heather (Hudsonia ericoides) and Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia).

Every September the park hosts an exciting Beach Plum Festival, replete with tours, foods, music and great atmosphere.

Many of these plants can be seen at the nature center, 1 mile (1.6 km) into the park, in a display garden, which is located by a freshwater wetland.

There is also a boardwalk extending from Barnegat Bay to the main road allowing boaters access to the beach.

On the bayside of Island Beach State Park is an area called Tices Shoal, where boaters gather together and anchor.

Since New Jersey acquired the 2,694 acres (10.90 km2) estate of Henry Phipps, Jr. in 1953 for $2.75 million to form the park, the state has maintained an official vacation residence (39°53′11″N 74°04′55″W / 39.8865°N 74.0819°W / 39.8865; -74.0819) exclusively for the New Jersey Governor (in addition to the governor's mansion at Drumthwacket, in Princeton near the state capital of Trenton).

[7] In addition to the governors, guests at the house have included Lady Bird Johnson; the daughter of Alexei Kosygin; Hubert Humphrey; Walter Mondale; and Joe Biden.

Governor Chris Christie, wife, children and friends were photographed on a deserted beach at the park.

[5] Other states with vacation residence are Alabama at Fort Morgan,[9] Michigan at Mackinac Island[10] and North Carolina at Asheville.

[12] The average date of first spring leaf-out is March 23[16] and fall color typically peaks in early-November.