Assateague Island National Seashore Campground

Assateague Island National Seashore

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 each manage and protect this unique, diverse strip of land.

For more information go to https://www.nps.gov/asis

The campground is open year-round. Advance reservations are available up to 6 months in advance during the following dates: 

• Oceanside Group Sites: Year-round.
• Equestrian Non-electric sites: From October 16 through April 15 each year (closed April 16 - October 15).
• Oceanside and Bayside Individual sites: From March 15, 2019 through November 15 each year (first come first serve only, November 16 - March 14). 

Amenities include vault toilets, drinking water, and unheated showers for rinsing off sand. Water in the campground is available when temperatures are above freezing, and year round at the dump stations.

The 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 of the island to the other. Access to both Maryland and Virginia entrances are reached by bridge over mainland routes. 

Need to Know

• An Interagency (America the Beautiful) Pass or $25 entrance fee is required in addition to camping fees. 

• Campers must check in at the Ranger Station upon arrival. Campers who arrive after the Ranger Station closes must check in before 10 am the next morning. Reservation holders who have not checked in by 10 am of the morning following their reservation date are considered "no shows" and the site may be re-sold.

• Wild horses roam free on the island; all food must be stored inside a latchable hard-sided cooler or inside your vehicle. Stay at least a school bus length (40 feet) away from the wild horses. Do not touch, feed or otherwise entice the horses.

• Horse Camp campers must bring their own horses.

• Campsites must be vacated by 11 am on the day of checkout. Campers who desire to depart on an earlier date than reserved MUST check out at the Ranger Station or NO REFUND will be given. If it is an after hours emergency, they should check out with the host.

• Extreme mosquito/biting insect conditions are normal to the area; bring insect repellent with deet.

• No more than two motor vehicles, or one vehicle with trailer, allowed per drive-in campsite.

• No more than one motor vehicle allowed per walk-in campsite. No more than 10 motor vehicles permitted per Group site.

• Generators are completely PROHIBITED in Bayside Loop B as well as in walk-in and group sites.

• Long tent stakes recommended.

• Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more. There is no firewood for sale on the island in the off season (generally mid-October - Memorial Day).

• Walk-in and Group site campers must sleep in their designated campsite. Sleeping in a vehicle is prohibited for these sites.

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.

Nearby Attractions

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers a 14,000-acre wildlife preserve located at the southern end of Assateague Island. To the north, Assateague State Park features two miles of pristine ocean beaches. Ocean City, Maryland is only about 10 miles away with a 2.5 mile long boardwalk filled with shops, restaurants, and a wide variety of entertainment options. The historic town of Berlin is about 10 miles west of Assateague, offering many shops and restaurants. 

Recreation

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

Changes & Cancellations

Cancellations/Modifications: Customers can modify/cancel reservations starting 18 days after the reservation was made. Customers cancelling a reservation will be charged a $10.00 service fee. Customers wishing to modify a reservation can do so online or over the phone with Recreation.gov and may be subject to a $10.00 service fee. 

Late Cancellations: Customers who cancel a reservation the day before or the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night’s use fee. Cancellations for a 1-night stay will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to the additional service fee. 

Early Departures: Customers wishing to early depart before 11am can receive a refund for that night and subsequent nights provided they are off the campsite completely by 11am. Customers wishing to early depart after 11am can receive a refund for subsequent days, but will not get a refund for the current night. ANY early departure requires that you stop at the Ranger Station to check out with the rangers or no refunds will be given. (See Need to Know)

Contact Information

Default

7206 NATIONAL SEASHORE LN BERLIN MD 21811

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 410-641-3030

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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.

Available Campsites

• Site G2, Loop Oceanside Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C44, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A14, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 083, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 052, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site B35, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 103, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 007, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 099, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site A21, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site G1, Loop Oceanside Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site B37, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 064, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 044, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 013, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B29, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 093, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 023, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 078, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 008, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A15, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 062, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 036, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 053, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site A03, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A09, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C49, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 060, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 024, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 087, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 088, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 056, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site G4, Loop Oceanside Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site A23, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A02, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 081, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 025, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 032, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 095, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 075, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 019, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C41, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site C45, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B26, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site A07, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 079, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site A16, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C38, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site A05, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 054, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site B30, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 073, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 069, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 035, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 071, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 033, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B31, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A06, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C39, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A20, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A10, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop Oceanside Walk-In 45-50, Type Walk To
• Site Horse Camp - A, Loop Equestrian Non-Electric, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop Oceanside Walk-In 45-50, Type Walk To
• Site 051, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 040, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A13, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 092, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 104, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 012, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 100, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 026, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 082, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site B28, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop Oceanside Walk-In 45-50, Type Walk To
• Site 034, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 074, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 041, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A01, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site G3, Loop Oceanside Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop Oceanside Walk-In 45-50, Type Walk To
• Site 089, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 098, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site G5, Loop Oceanside Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site 086, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 029, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop Oceanside Walk-In 45-50, Type Walk To
• Site 076, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 021, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A19, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A04, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 091, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site B32, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 066, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 020, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B33, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B25, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Horse Camp - B, Loop Equestrian Non-Electric, Type Group Equestrian
• Site C46, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C42, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B27, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop Oceanside Walk-In 45-50, Type Walk To
• Site A24, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C47, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 101, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 070, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 038, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop Oceanside Loop 2, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A12, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B36, Loop Bayside Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 084, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 061, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site C48, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A18, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 094, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site A08, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A22, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 090, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 058, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 010, Loop Oceanside Loop 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A17, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 085, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 067, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site A11, Loop Bayside Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 068, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 102, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 080, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site 097, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To
• Site 077, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site C40, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop Oceanside Walk In 42-44, 51-82, Type Walk To
• Site C43, Loop Bayside Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 096, Loop Oceanside Walk In 83-104, Type Walk To

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