Camping At Assateague Island What Do I Need?

Camping is available only in the Maryland district of Assateague Island. Campers are reminded to bring

firewood (locally purchased), sunscreen, insect repellent, screen tents for shade and insect protection, and long tent stakes to anchor tents in the sand and wind

.

Can you camp in your car Assateague Island?

Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore

Remember to bring a lighter and kindling!

All sites on the Bayside are drive-in, while Oceanside offers both drive-in and walk-in

. Each drive-in site has space for 2 vehicles, with the place to pitch a tent next to your parking spot.

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.

How much does it cost to camp at Assateague Island?

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.

Is Assateague Island Dog friendly?

*

Pets are prohibited in the entire Virginia portion of Assateague Island

, even in your car. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages nearly all of the land area on the Virginia portion of Assateague Island as Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

Can you have fires on Assateague Island?

Beach bonfires are permitted for groups of 25 people or less on the beach between the high and low tide lines

(not on the high beach). Fires must be completely extinguished with water and all debris removed from the beach.

Can you sleep on the beach at Assateague?

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

.

Which is better Chincoteague or Assateague?

Most people explore both islands in a single trip.

Assateague, 37 miles long, is prized for its beaches and ponies, and Chincoteague, seven miles long, is known for its wildlife refuge, dunes, forests, and marshes

.

Can you drink on Assateague Island?

Alcohol is NOT permitted on the beach

, nor is it permitted in any other public areas, including parking lots. Can I have a bonfire on the beach? Open fires are not allowed at the State Park beach area. The National Park does allow open fires, with prior permission from the National Park Ranger Station.

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.

Can you just drive through Assateague Island?

By Vehicle

There is no vehicle access between the two entrances on Assateague Island

. Vehicles must return to the mainland to access either the north or south entrance.

Can you camp on Assateague Island without a reservation?

Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15

. Campsite reservations are available six months in advance. Be aware that nearly all reservations for weekends are filled the first day that they become available.

Are there sharks in Assateague Island?

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

. The shark is being tracked by OCEARCH and initially showed up shortly on Sunday, May 3.

Is there a boardwalk at Assateague Island?

Life of the Forest Nature Trail

There is a nice boardwalk

and dirt paths that will take you out to the open marsh. We enjoyed the easy hike and saw all sorts of birds along the way. At the end of the path, we saw the Assateague Island horses out in the marsh.

Are there showers on Assateague Island?

Portable toilets are at the backcountry sites, but

no showers

. No lights are in the restrooms (at least where I was at), so you have to bring a lantern or flashlight at nighttime. All campgrounds are open year-round.

Is Assateague crowded?

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

.

Can you see wild horses at Assateague State Park?

Visitors can enjoy the world famous “wild horses” at Assateague

. The “wildlife tour” or kayaking is a great way to see much of the refuge and its wildlife by boat or kayak.

How did the horses get on Assateague Island?

Some people believe the horses arrived on Assateague's shores

when a Spanish galleon ship (with a cargo of horses) sank offshore

. Others believe the horses arrived by early colonial settlers that allowed them to graze there.

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.

Can you take dogs on the beach at Assateague Island?

PET REGULATIONS at Assateague Island

Pets are permitted in the Maryland portion of the National Seashore

. All pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Owners are responsible for pet behavior including barking and cleaning up waste.

Can you metal detect on Assateague Island?

Possessing or using a mineral or metal detector, magnetometer, side scan sonar, other metal detecting device, or sub-bottom profiler is

prohibited within areas or lands managed by the National Park Service

.

Can you swim at Assateague State Park?

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.

Do you need a fishing license to fish on Assateague Island?

Fishing is permitted on the beach front except in the designated protected (lifeguarded) beach.

A valid state saltwater fishing license is required

, and state rules and size regulations apply.

Can you drive from Assateague to Chincoteague?

Note:

You cannot drive all the way through Assateague Island

. You have to drive back to the mainland to go between Assateague National Seashore and Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge which is about 56 miles.

How much does it cost to drive on Assateague beach?

Currently buying a permit to drive on the beach at Assateague cost between

$70 to $150

depending on if the use is for daytime only, overnight or bullpen use, according to the park service.

Are generators allowed in Assateague State Park?

Effective July 3, 2020 operation of any loud generator or those operated at a noise level disturbing to other campers are prohibited in the Assateague State Park campground

. These generally include conventional or “construction style” generators.