Assateague Island National Seashore

Getting There

Assateague Island National Seashore is located on the East Coast along the Atlantic Ocean in both Maryland and Virginia. It within a 3 hour radius of major cities like Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Richmond.

The Maryland portion of Assateague starts from the Ocean City Inlet and goes to the Virginia state line, while the Virginia portion is from the Maryland state line to the Chincoteague Inlet. You cannot drive from one end of the park to the other straight through, you must travel on the mainland to reach either district.

The Virginia portion is technically part of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and run by the US Fish and Wildlife Service; however, the National Park Services operates a beach and visitor center on the land. The collaboration between entities is defined in a Memorandum of Understanding.

Fees & Cancellation Stamp

Assateague is not a fee-free park. A 7 day pass for a single, private vehicle costs $25 in both Maryland and Virginia. The Virginia portion offers a 1 day pass for $10. The America the Beautiful pass will get you in for free, or there is an Assateague specific annual pass available for $45. Check the website for more information about motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

Note: You do not have to pay to enter the visitor center. You only have to pay to enter the area where the beach access, campgrounds, and trails are located.

Time Required at Assateague

You only need one day if you just want to go to the beach. Of course, you can add on as many days as you’d like to camp, kayak, fish, or attend some of the ranger programs.

Camping at Assateague

Camping is only available on the Maryland side of Assateague. They offer campsites on the ocean side or bay side for $30 per night. There are also group sites and campsites that allow horses for $50 per night. There are no hook-ups but there are pit toilets and cold water showers.

Reservations are available 6 months in advance on recreation.gov and they sell out almost immediately. I suggest setting a reminder in your phone and getting on as soon as the site opens reservations for your desire dates.

Wild Ponies

Assateague is most famous for all the wild ponies, which are best seen from April to October. There are two herds, one of the Maryland side and one on the Virginia side. The Maryland herd is managed by the NPS, while the Virginia herd is managed by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.

It’s important to remember that they are ‘wild’ ponies, and should not be treated as tame animals. If you see a pony do not try and pet or feed it. Additionally, stay 40 feet away (about the length of one school bus) while viewing and taking pictures.

Things to do

There are so many fun activities to do at Assateague, it’s not just the beach!

Hiking/biking – enjoy a variety of boardwalk and paved trails on the MD and VA side
Horseback riding – horseback riding is available in all OSV zones
Crabbing – be sure to check with the NPS about the regulations, no license required
Fishing – license required
Hunting – only allowed in designated areas and you must have a license

If you are visiting in the summer, make sure to check out the ranger programs! They often include talks about sea creatures, or even getting in the water to actually look for sea creatures. You can also go crabbing or take a kayaking trip (for an extra fee).

In addition to all the fun things there is to do on the National Seashore, don’t forget to check out Assateague Island State Park, which is right next door!

Lastly, Ocean City is only 15 minutes from the Maryland side of Assateague, so definitely make sure you get up to the boardwalk for dinner, or even a day on the beach.

Know Before You Go

There is a small store on the beach that sells snacks and basic camping supplies, but you will need to leave the park for major groceries or material items, or if you wish to eat at any restaurants.

I have not camped there yet (it’s on my list), but I have heard that the bugs, heat, and humidity can be unbearable. Come prepared if you are tent camping.

Last Updated: April 5, 2023