Henry Hudson Spring

## Overview Henry Hudson Spring in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, carries one of the most storied names in American exploration history — a fitting tribute to the English navigator Henry Hudson, who sailed into what is now Sandy Hook Bay in 1609 aboard the *Half Moon*. The spring sits in the coastal highlands of Monmouth County, an area long valued for its natural freshwater sources overlooking the bay. There are actually three springs historically associated with the Henry Hudson name in this area. Two of them are located along the lower scenic road in the borough of Highlands, while the third — the one at this listing's coordinates — is situated further west in Atlantic Highlands near Bayside Drive. A third spring, found at the base of Miller Hill in Highlands, was eventually capped by the government and declared unsafe for public use. These springs have long been part of the local landscape, and the area's freshwater sources were historically significant to both the indigenous Lenape people and early European settlers navigating the Jersey Shore. The highlands bluffs overlooking Sandy Hook Bay are among the highest points on the Atlantic seaboard south of Maine, and the geology of the area — layers of sand, clay, and gravel from the Cretaceous period — naturally filters groundwater that feeds springs like this one. ## Directions 1. Head to the Atlantic Highlands waterfront area along Bayside Drive (near the intersection with Route 36). 2. The spring is located at or near **2 Bayside Drive, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716**. 3. GPS coordinates: **40.412622, -74.019023** — use these for precise navigation, as the spring can be easy to miss from the road. 4. The two additional springs in Highlands can be found along the lower scenic road (Shore Drive / Ocean Boulevard area) heading east toward the borough of Highlands. 5. The capped spring at the base of Miller Hill in Highlands is no longer accessible for public use. ## What to Expect The Atlantic Highlands spring is a public drinking spring in a scenic coastal setting near Sandy Hook Bay. Visitors should look for the spring outlet near Bayside Drive — it is a modest, unassuming feature that's easy to overlook if you're not specifically seeking it out. The surrounding area offers beautiful views of Sandy Hook Bay and the Atlantic Highlands waterfront. The borough itself is a charming small town with marinas, restaurants, and access to the Henry Hudson Trail, a popular multi-use path that runs through Monmouth County. Water from these springs has historically been used as a local drinking water source, though visitors should be aware that water quality can vary over time and no current testing data is publicly available for this spring. The capped spring at Miller Hill was shut down by government authorities due to water quality concerns, so conditions can differ from spring to spring even within the same area. The area is accessible year-round, though spring and summer offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring the waterfront and nearby trails. Parking is generally available along Bayside Drive and in nearby municipal lots.