Overview

Assateague Island National Seashore is a 37-mile long barrier island on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia. Famed for its wild horses, this barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves. Assateague Island, dedicated as a National Seashore on September 1, 1965, lays claim to a long and rich history. Today's visitors can explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays. Only a couple of miles wide at its broadest point, the island's terrain offers shelter to the famed wild horses as well as sika deer, ghost crabs, and migrating birds such as the great blue heron and snowy egret. Favorite recreational activites include fishing, surfing, beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing. 

The Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) Zone at Assateague Island contains miles of unspoiled beaches managed by the National Park Service to accommodate OSV enthusiasts and other beach goers.

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

For more information visit the Assateague Island National Seashore website . 

Facilities

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

Amenities include vault toilets, drinking water, and unheated showers (March 15 - November 15 only) 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. 

Natural Features

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 visit the Assateague Island National Seashore website . 

Recreation

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

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. 

Important Notices

• Entrance Fee: An Interagency (America the Beautiful) Pass, Assateague Annual Pass, or $25 entrance fee is required to enter the park in addition to camping fees. If you do not already own a pass you may pay the fee upon arrival.

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

• Wild Horses: Wild (or feral) 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. Learn more on the park's Assateague's Wild Horses web page .

• Check-out: Campsites must be vacated by 11 am on the day of checkout. Campers who desire to depart early MUST check out at the Ranger Station and be off the site completely by 11:00 am or NO REFUND will be given. If it is an after hours emergency, please contact the campground host.

• 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.

• Equestrian Campsites A & B: Horse Camp campers must bring their own horses. If you do not have a horse do not book a horse campsite.

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

• Vehicle Limits on Drive-in Campsites: No more than two motor vehicles, or one vehicle with trailer, are allowed per drive-in campsite.

• Vehicle Limits on Walk-in Campsites: No more than one motor vehicle allowed per walk-in campsite.

• Vehicle Limits for Group Campsites: No more than 10 motor vehicles permitted per Group site.

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

• Tent Stake Recommendation: The park recommends using long tent stakes to anchor tents in the sand and against the wind.

• Sleeping in a vehicle is prohibited in Walk-in and Group sites. Walk-in and Group campsites are tent only sites. Campers must sleep in the designated campsite. 

• 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).

Available Activities

• Swimming - Swimming
• Hiking - Hiking
• Camping - Camping
• Beachcombing - Beachcombing
• Biking - Biking
• Birding - Birding
• Clam Digging - Clam Digging
• Crabbing - Crabbing
• Fishing - Fishing
• Canoeing - Canoeing
• Kayaking - Kayaking
• Surfing - Surfing
• Wild Horse Viewing - Wild Horse Viewing
• Windsurfing - Windsurfing
• Interpretive Programs - Interpretive Programs

Directions

<p>Follow US Route 50 east to MD Route 611 south. Proceed over the Verrazano Bridge. Take the first right onto BayBerry Drive. Continue 2.25 miles (3.6 km) to the entrance station. An entrance fee is required unless you possess an America the Beautiful annual or lifetime pass. Take the first right to the ranger station to register and check in.</p>

Cancellation Policy

<p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>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. <strong>ANY</strong> 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)</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 410-641-3030

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip