Where Is Assateague State Park?

Is Assateague Island in Maryland or Virginia?

Assateague Island is a 37 mile long island along the coasts of

Maryland and Virginia

. Most of the Maryland district is managed by the National Park Service as Assateague Island National Seashore.

How much does it cost to get into Assateague State Park?

How do you get to Assateague Island?

There are two entrances to Assateague Island National Seashore. Assateague’s north entrance is at the end of Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City, MD. The south entrance is at the end of Route 175, two miles east of Chincoteague, VA. There is no vehicle access between the two entrances on Assateague Island.

Can you stay on Assateague Island?

Can I stay overnight on Assateague Island?

Camping is available in the Maryland portion of Assateague Island National Seashore and in the Maryland State Park

. In Virginia, there are privately owned campgrounds on nearby Chincoteague Island. Motels are located in Ocean City, MD and Chincoteague, VA.

Is Assateague Beach Open?

Open year round, 24 hours a day

. Visitor Center is open Daily from 9 am – 4 pm. March-December: Open 7 days/week.

What day is the Chincoteague pony swim?

Wednesday July 27, 2022

will mark the 97th year of Chincoteague’s annual Pony Swim. The Chincoteague Pony Swim was made famous by Marguerite Henry’s “Misty of Chincoteague”. Tens of thousands of spectators from around the world gather on Chincoteague Island each year to watch this annual tradition.

Does Assateague Island have a beach?

The Maryland section of Assateague Island National Seashore has

two beaches

that you can park near and require minimal effort to enjoy. One is located on the north end of the park just after you pass the fee station—aptly named North Ocean Beach—and the other is on the south end of the park, South Ocean Beach.

What is the best time of year to visit Assateague Island?

The best time to see the Assateague Island horses is from

late April through mid-October

. 300 ponies live on the island. Sometimes the ponies are far away out in the marsh, so it is a good idea to bring a good pair of binoculars with you.

Are there bathrooms on Assateague Island?

Bathrooms and Showers at Assateague

The best part of Assateague Island is the fact that

it has both toilets AND SHOWERS

. Normally beaches like Ocean City, Rehoboth, Dewey, etc, do not have showers or public restrooms.

Can you touch the horses at Assateague Island?

Petting or feeding the wild horses may seem like a harmless and fun thing to do, but the consequences can be terrible. For your safety and the safety of the horses, please obey park regulations and

do not approach, touch, or feed the Assateague horses

. Assateague horses do bite, kick and can carry rabies.

Does Assateague Island have a boardwalk?

This Maryland Park Has Endless Boardwalks

And You’ll Want To Explore Them All. Beach season will soon be over (sigh… I know, it’s sad), BUT that doesn’t mean that you have to stop exploring Maryland’s beaches. Nearly all of them are open year-round so you can still still enjoy the sights, no matter the weather.

Which side of Assateague Island is better?

We prefer the

Maryland side

, less crowds, bigger beach, better facilities on the State Park area, and Berlin is always wonderful.

What is the difference between Assateague State Park and Assateague National Park?

The main difference between the state and national parks are the

wash houses

. The state park has hot showers and flushing toilets, but no pets allowed. The national park has cold water and chemical toilets, but pets are allowed.

What’s the difference between Assateague and Chincoteague?

The largest of these islands is Chincoteague Island. While Assateague is protected as a National Seashore (on the Maryland side) and National Wildlife Refuge (on the Virginia portion of the island), Chincoteague Island is developed, including a town with the island’s name.

Can you sleep on the beach at Assateague Island?

Maryland — Assateague Island National Seashore does not close, but overnight parking in the MD OSV Zone is prohibited except for those who are awake and actively engaged in fishing or those with a Bullpen permit.

Camping and/or sleeping on the beach is strictly prohibited

.

Can you sleep in your car at Assateague Island?

Camping and/or sleeping overnight are prohibited except in designated campsites

. Drive-in Site Limits: 6 persons (or immediate family), 3 tents, 2 registered motor vehicles, or one vehicle and a trailer, allowed per drive-in campsite.

Can you go to Assateague at night?

The Assateague Island Visitor Center is located in the Maryland District of Assateague Island before the Verrazzano Bridge entrance into the park. As of June 12, 2021 the Assateague Island Visitor Center is

open daily from 9 am – 4 pm

.

Is Assateague Island Open during Covid?

Assateague is open

and if you have our permit from last year you can still get in due to the shutdown. AINS Facebook post … “Now that contact station/campground office/ranger station has been temporarily closed as a precaution to help prevent the spread of COVID19, there is no way to purchase or renew an OSV pass.

Are masks required on Assateague Island?

In the event Covid-19 rates in our counties rise to high levels,

mask mandates may again be implemented at Assateague Island National Seashore

. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Is Assateague Island busy?

Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are open year-round. There is no daily closing time on the Maryland side of the island, but only surf fishermen and campers staying in designated spots may stay overnight. Avoiding the Crowds & the Bugs —

Weekends in summer are crowded

.

Where is the best place to see the Assateague ponies?

Visit

Assateague Maryland and Ocean City or drive just one hour south to the Virginia end of Assateague Island

. Some say Virginia is the best side because it has about 70 newborn ponies on that end each summer, unspoiled beaches, a lighthouse and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge.

How do you see ponies on Chincoteague?

The best way to view Chincoteague Ponies is

from a charter boat tour

. That is really the only way you can observe them in their natural habitat. Charter Boat Captains have access to the north end of Assateague, where 100 of the wild ponies live. (Compared to the 25 ponies on the south side of Assateague).

Is the Chincoteague pony swim Cancelled?

CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (AP) — The annual wild pony swim on Virginia’s Chincoteague Island has been canceled for the second year in a row because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Are there sharks at Assateague beach?

A massive, 3,456-pound female great white shark has been pinged inside Assateague Island National Seashore near the Maryland-Virginia line

. The 16-foot long shark has traveled 165 miles in less than 72 hours.

Can you swim at Assateague beach?

Assateague State Park has one of the best swimming beaches in the area

, and with water temperatures in the 70s during summer, many people get in the water as soon they get here. Kayaking and swimming in the calm bay side waters are absolutely fun too, and more secluded.

Is Assateague Island worth?

Assateague Island National Seashore is worth a visit whether there is a park entrance fee or not

! Though most famous for its wild ponies, Assateague State Park offers a wide range of activities and sights. The park features two miles of pristine Atlantic ocean beaches.