Reaching the north herd ponies requires hiking up the “
Service Road
” (or a combination of biking and hiking). The Service Road is a 7.5 mile (one-way) gravel foot path located off of the Wildlife Loop Trail. Park in the Wildlife Loop parking lot.
How do you see the ponies on Chincoteague Island?
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).
Where do you go to see the horses in Chincoteague?
Find a spot at
Chincoteague Veteran’s Memorial Park
, about 100 yards from Pony Swim Lane where the ponies land. In exchange for sacrificing proximity to the ponies, you gain dry land. Some say the view from the park is just as good as that of Pony Swim Lane, but bring binoculars to get a close-up on the ponies.
Can you see wild ponies in Chincoteague?
Unlike the Maryland district where the horses are free to roam,
the Chincoteague Ponies are fenced off the road and trails in two separate large management areas of the refuge resulting in a northern herd and a southern herd
. The southern herd may be seen by car, bicycle or walking and is recommended for all visitors.
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 get to Assateague Island from Chincoteague?
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
.
When can you see the ponies at Assateague?
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.
How much does a Chincoteague pony cost?
2019 – 57 ponies sold,
average cost $4,767
, high bid $17,500, low bid $1,400, total sales $271,700.
Where is the best place to see the horses on Assateague Island?
The horses can often be found in
the marsh areas, on the beach, or further down the island in the National Park’s OSV (Over Sand Vehicle) area
. When visiting the island to see the horses, be sure to follow all regulations including not stopping or parking along roadways or getting closer than 40 feet to any wildlife.
Where do Assateague ponies go in winter?
Majority of the horses have done their winter migration, traveling to their normal territories they spend most of year. Of the 80+ horses on the Maryland side,
more than half are located on the OSV section of the park
.
Where is Chincoteague Island horses?
Two herds of wild horses make their home on
Assateague Island
, separated by a fence at the Maryland-Virginia line. The Maryland herd is managed by the National Park Service. The Virginia herd is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.
Where are the wild horses in Chincoteague?
Assateague Island – Visit the National Park and see the wild ponies.
Assateague Island National Seashore
is located close to Chincoteague Island, Virginia and Ocean City, Maryland. Assateague contains over 37 miles of pristine beach. More than 300 wild ponies wander the beaches, inland pine forest, and salt marshes.
Can you see the Chincoteague ponies year round?
It’s a chance to see Chincoteague ponies up close and in action, but
July isn’t the only time you can see the ponies
. Here are the best ways to see Chincoteague ponies during Pony Penning week and the rest of the year.
Are the wild horses at Chincoteague and Assateague?
The wild horses are actually all on the Assateague Island
but many people stay in the town of Chincoteague while they visit. There are also lots of horse ranches on Chincoteague and boat tours that depart from Chincoteague to see the horses on Assateague.
Where are the wild ponies on the Appalachian Trail?
More than 100 wild ponies roam wild within
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and neighboring Grayson Highlands State Park in southwestern Virginia
, but one in particular stands out.
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.
Does Chincoteague have a beach?
Chincoteague deservedly ranks among the top coastal beach towns
—not just in Virginia, but in the United States. Unsullied sandy beaches beckon visitors to cast a line, dig for clams, splash in the waves, or soak in the sun at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
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
.
Can you drive from Assateague to Chincoteague on the beach?
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
. Beach driving in Maryland can be counted on a lot more than in Virginia.
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 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.
Are Chincoteague and Assateague the same 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.
Who buys Chincoteague ponies?
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company
, who owns and manages the Virginia herd, maintains the herd size at about 150 adult ponies. The Fire Company controls the size of the herd by auctioning off most of the foals at the annual Pony Auction in July. Each year just a few select foals are designated as ‘buybacks’.
Is Misty of Chincoteague a true story?
Set in the island town of Chincoteague, Virginia,
the book was inspired by the real-life story of the Beebe family and their efforts to raise a filly born to a wild horse
. It was one of the runners-up for the annual Newbery Medal, now called Newbery Honor Books. The 1961 film Misty was based on the book.
