The Maryland district is open daily 24 hours while the Virginia district is open daily dawn to dusk. Lifeguard-protected beaches are open in both Maryland and Virginia districts mid-June through Labor Day.Īllow 1 hour minimum to see the island. Naturalists conduct kayak trips, campfire talks, guided nature walks and clamming and fishing demonstrations daily mid-June through August. Both the National Park Service and the wildlife refuge operate information centers at the southern end.īoating, crabbing, fishing, swimming and camping opportunities are available. General InformationThe National Park Service operates a visitor center with exhibits at the bridge approach to the north end of the island. The island is also a stop-off point during the migration of the once-endangered peregrine falcon and several waterfowl, including the greater snow goose. Both herds reportedly are descendants of a 16th-century herd that swam ashore from a sinking Spanish galleon, although a more likely story is that they descended from local farm horses. There are two herds of horses on the island, including Chincoteague ponies that eat marsh grass and drink from freshwater ponds. The national seashore encompasses 49,500 acres (19,000 of which are land), including Assateague Island and nearby small islands. Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park manage the Maryland portion of the island, and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge manages the Virginia end. Beach wheelchairs are available at patrolled beaches.About Assateague Island National SeashoreEight miles south of Ocean City, Md., via SR 611, Assateague Island is a narrow 37-mile-long barrier island paralleling the coast of Maryland and Virginia. There are accessible campsites, nature trails, restrooms, and beaches at Assateague Island.Assateague has free-roaming herds of wild horses, and visitors are advised to keep a distance for their own safety-these are feral animals that may kick or bite.Island facilities include two visitor centers, seasonal kayak and canoe rentals, a beach store, picnic areas, patrolled swimming beaches, and restrooms.OSV permits and saltwater fishing licences are required. A per-vehicle fee is charged to enter the seashore it is free to enter on foot or by bike.It is not possible to drive between the Virginia and Maryland sides while on the island. In Virginia, access is via Route 175, two miles east of Chincoteague. In Maryland, access to the park is via Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City. There are two entry points to Assateague Island National Seashore.The main camping season runs from mid-March through mid-November, and walk-in sites are closed outside of this period. Birding is popular year-round, with shorebirds migrating to the marshes in summer and waterfowl sightings most notable in fall. Summertime is the best time for swimming and water activities at the Assateague Island National Seashore, and beaches are patrolled from late May through early September. Campsites can book up the day they become available for summer and holiday weekends, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment.Outside of this period, drive-in sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are required for all sites from March 15 through November 15.Campsite reservations open six months in advance, and same-day bookings are possible.You can reserve the park’s campsites in advance via the website.A chemical toilet is provided, but you’ll need to bring your own drinking water. Best for backcountry campers: State Line Campsite offers backcountry tent camping right on the beach.There are no hookups, but generators are permitted in all but one zone of the camp. Best for RVs: Bayside Campground has drive-in sites for tents, trailers, and RVs.Best for tent campers: Oceanside Walk-in Campground has tent-only sites with picnic tables and fire rings a short walk from the parking areas.
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