USA Washington Rock State Park (New Jersey)

A few times a year you can catch the sunrise or moonrise from this location. 25 miles from downtown Manhattan. Clear skies are needed for best results.

Sunrise: The sun rises behind Manhattan for most months of the year. This provides a great possible composition where the sun's light silhouettes the distant buildings or casts a warm glow across the New Jersey in the foreground.

Moonrise: A full moonrise over the skyline is a spectacular, though less frequent, target. The moon will appear to rise behind or near the WTC during certain times of the year, providing a stark contrast between the moon and the dark skyline.

For accurate planning use apps like PhotoPills or PlanItPro to get the exact date and time for the lineups. Best to go with no clouds. This State Park is Open dawn to dusk. However if you come slightly before dawn or stay until just after dusk during one of those events, it's ok. A 500+mm telephoto lens and stable tripod and a remote trigger highly recommended.

Parking is nearby (see map). Car is required. If parking lot is full, use streetparking on Colonial Drive or Merriwood Lane nearby and walk a few minutes to the park. For a moonrise event, which is rare, get there early as it can get crowded.