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. The State of Maryland manages two miles of the Maryland district as Assateague State Park.
What city is close to Assateague Island?
Assateague State Park is 10 miles south of
Ocean City
on Assateague Island, a barrier island off the coast of Maryland. While Berlin is the nearest town, the closest hotels are in Ocean City.
What is Assateague Island known for?
Assateague Island is
a vital resting and feeding area for a large variety of birds
. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is located on Assateague Island and is one of the most popular birding destinations in the United States.
How much does it cost to go to beach at Assateague Island?
| Per Vehicle Park Specific Annual Pass | Current $20 $40 | Jan 1, 2020 $25 $45 |
|---|
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.
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.
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 I drive to 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.
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.
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.
Who owns Assateague Island?
The entirety of Assateague Island is owned and operated by three different agencies:
the NPS, Maryland State Parks, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service
.
What is the best time to see the horses on 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Are there sharks at 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.
Are there jellyfish in Assateague Island?
Most jellyfish you encounter at Assateague will not sting but some do, particularly those with color
. Be safe – do not touch any jellyfish. If you get stung, see a lifeguard. You can rinse the area with sea water or vinegar.
Is Assateague 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 long does it take to get from Chincoteague to Assateague?
> GETTING TO ASSATEAGUE & CHINCOTEAGUE, VA
(From Washington D.C.): Chincoteague, Virginia is about a
3 hour drive
.
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.
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 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
.
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.
Where are the Chincoteague ponies now?
Sunday, July 24, 2022
About 100 adult ponies and their foals reside
a little further north on the Assateague Island
, and will be herded into the North Corral, Sunday morning beginning at about 7:30 am. Please note that the North Corral is not accessible to the public during the roundup.
