By Vehicle
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
. Vehicles must return to the mainland to access either the north or south entrance.
How much does it cost to get on Chincoteague Island?
| Pedestrians and bicyclists Free | Daily Pass Valid for full day of purchase When no staff is present, purchase at self-serve fee station at refuge visitor center (second left). $10.00 | Weekly Pass Valid for seven days $25.00 | Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Annual Pass Valid for one year $45.00 |
|---|
Is there a bridge to Chincoteague Island?
The John B. Whealton Memorial Causeway, more commonly known to the locals as the Chincoteague Causeway
, connects the mainland of the Eastern Shore to Chincoteague, where it continues into town as Maddox Boulevard. The causeway is part of State Route 175 (Chincoteague Road).
Can you drive on the beach in Chincoteague?
In Maryland, the entire beach south of South Ocean Beach is open to driving, though areas may be closed at any given time. Camping is permitted in the Bullpen. In addition to the beach, there are two access roads to Chincoteague Bay, though
there is no driving along the bay shoreline
.
Is the Chincoteague beach open?
Open Daily from 9 am – 4 pm
.
How long does it take to drive from Chincoteague to Assateague?
| Distance to Assateague Island Virginia Maryland | ANNAPOLIS, MD 134 Mi. / 3 hrs. 111 Mi. / 2.5 hrs. | WILLIAMSBURG, VA 144 Mi. / 3 hrs. 176 Mi. / 3.5 hrs. |
|---|
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 swim at Chincoteague Island?
Chincoteague Island is just a minute away from Assateague Island National Seashore, which has a beautiful beach and the wildlife refuge.
This is a great place for swimming
, beach combing, hiking, bird watching, bicycle riding and other outdoor activities.
How long is the bridge to Chincoteague?
Recognized as one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world, the
17.6 mile
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel spans the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and connects Virginia’s Eastern Shore with the mainland in Virginia Beach.
Is Chincoteague causeway open?
At this time,
the causeway remains open to all traffic
. The status of the causeway will be monitored by the Virginia Department of Transportation and any causeway closings will be announced by local media outlets.
How long is the underwater bridge in Virginia?
The Bridge-Tunnel project is a four-lane
20-mile
-long vehicular toll crossing of the lower Chesapeake Bay. The facility carries US 13, the main north-south highway on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and provides the only direct link between Virginia’s Eastern Shore and south Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Is Chincoteague beach free?
Free.
This is an entrance fee-free day in the Maryland district of the National Seashore
. Entrance fees may apply at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in the Virginia District of the National Seashore.
Do you have to pay to go to Assateague Beach?
Assateague Island National Seashore has had an entrance fee since 1971. The current rate of
$20 per vehicle or $15 per motorcycle
has been in effect since 2015. The park is one of 112 National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee, the other 307 national parks will remain free to enter.
How much does it cost to camp on Assateague Island?
The fee is
$50 per night per site
. Generators are permitted from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Call the toll-free reservation line: 1-877-444-6777 (10:00 AM – 10:00 PM EST) or visit www.recreation.gov.
Can you go to Assateague Island at night?
As of June 12, 2021 the Assateague Island Visitor Center is
open daily from 9 am – 4 pm
. March-December: Open 7 days/week, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
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
.
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.
What is Chincoteague Island known for?
Chincoteague Island, Virginia’s only resort island, is perhaps the most beautiful island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. World famous for its
oyster beds and clam shoals
, Chincoteague is the gateway to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge which is located on the Virginia side of Assateague Island.
When can you see horses in Chincoteague?
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge entrance fees. Horses are visible
year-round
. Spring, summer and fall plan for biting insects while viewing the horses.
Can you go to Assateague Island?
There are two entrances to Assateague Island National Seashore: one on the north end, just eight miles from Ocean City, MD, and one on the south end, two miles from Chincoteague, VA.
Are Assateague and Chincoteague connected?
A short bridge connects Chincoteague Island to Assateague Island
. Entering Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, visitors are immediately surrounded by the splendor of unspoiled nature.
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.
How do you get around Assateague Island?
There Are Several Ways To Get Around Assateague Island
You can get around
on foot or by kayak, Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV), and horseback (allowed on beaches)
. Kayak touring is a popular way to see the wildlife, especially on the bay side of the island. Hikers have three options, each less than a mile long.
Is Chincoteague Island worth visiting?
Chincoteague has some of Virginia’s best beaches, hands-down.
The beaches on Assateague National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are completely natural and worth visiting
. And, of course, the wild horses are the main Chincoteague attraction.
Can you drive from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island?
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.
What is there to do in Chincoteague in the winter?
The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers
biking, hiking, bird-watching and shell-collecting opportunities
. 231 Beach Road, 757-336-6122. NASA Wallops Visitor Center. If you visit on a particularly nasty day, consider heading five miles west to tour the NASA Visitor Center on nearby Wallops Island.
