Facility Details - ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE, MD

Overview

Assateague Island, famed for its wild horses, lies off the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Coast. This barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves.

The Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge manage and protect this unique, diverse strip of land.

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Natural Features:

Assateague is a 37-mile long barrier island on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia. The terrain is a mix of sand dunes, maritime forests and salt marshes, and is just a couple miles wide at its broadest section.

Two herds of wild horses inhabit the island. The Maryland herd roams freely in part of Assateague Island National Seashore. The Virginia herd roams in large fenced areas in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

The horses are descendants of late 17th century horses brought by colonists attempting to avoid livestock taxes. They now thrive among other wildlife including Sika deer, Ghost crabs and migrating birds like the Great Blue heron and Snowy egret.

Recreation:

Activities are abundant on the island, with crabbing and clamming for kids, and a long stretch of beach for swimming, kayaking and fishing.

Facilities:

The large campground offers 141 family sites, 58 of which are walk-to tent sites. Five additional group tent sites are available. Amenities include vault toilets and cool water showers.

The 100% publicly owned island can be accessed from the northern route in Maryland or the southern route in Virginia, but there is no through road from one end to the other. Access to both entry points is easily reached by mainland routes.

Nearby Attractions:

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers a 14,000-acre wildlife preserve set at the southern end of Assateague Island. To the north, Assateague State Park features two miles of pristine ocean beaches.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Accessible Sites Dump Station Educational Programs Grills Hiking Pay Phone	Picnic Area Ranger Station Showers Swimming Vault Toilets Visitor Center

Know Before You Go

Please be advised that the accessible site in the Oceanside Loop 1 is now site 010; it is no longer site 007
Campers must check in at Ranger Station upon arrival
Late arrivals must check in or call before 11 a.m. the next morning or forfeit campsite
Wild ponies roam free on the island; all food must be stored in a latchable hard-sided cooler or vehicle
Extreme mosquito/biting insect conditions; bring insect repellent with deet
Intense sun; bring sunblock
Sandy campsites; bring longer-than-normal tent stakes
A $15.00 entrance fee is required in addition to camping fees.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
38.08333, -75.2
38°5'0"N, 75°12'0"W

Follow US Route 50 east to MD Route 611 south. Proceed over Verrazano Bridge. Take first right onto BayBerry Drive. Continue 2.25 miles to entrance station. Pay entrance fee. Take first right to ranger station to register and check in.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE
7206 NATIONAL SEASHORE LN
BERLIN MD 21811

Phone Number:

Information: (410)641-3030

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE, MD