Assateague Island
National Seashore
Assateague Island
National Seashore
Three agencies administer Assateague, a windswept barrier island that offers
many opportunities for seashore recreation and nature study. Ocean swimming,
camping, bayside canoeing, crabbing, clamming, hunting, surf-fishing and
off-road vehicle use are all popular. The famous wild horses roam throughout
and share beach to bay habitats with a host of other mammals and nearly
300 species of birds. Assateague Island became part of the National Park
System in 1965. Thirty-seven miles long, the island covers over 18,000
acres in the states of Maryland and Virginia. Detailed information on a
variety of seashore subjects are available at the Assateague Island NS
Virtual Visitor Center.
VISITATION:
Highest mid-June to Labor Day; lowest in December to March.
LOCATION:
Worcester Co., MD; Accomack Co., VA;
ADDRESS:
Assateague Island NS 7206 National Seashore Lane Berlin, MD. 21811
TELEPHONE:
(410) 641-1441
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Daily, year-round; island open 24 hours in Maryland; 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. during daylight savings time in Virginia, with shorter hours during winter. Visitor centers open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Summers generally hot and humid, and insect repellent recommended. Rarely snows in winter but often a damp cold. Sturdy hiking shoes recommended for long walks in soft sand and hard sole shoes for wading in bay waters.
DIRECTIONS:
Assateague's north entrance is at the end of Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City, Md.. The south entrance is at the eastern terminus of Route 175, two miles from Chincoteague, VA..
TRANSPORTATION:
By private auto only via Route 611 in Maryland or Route 175 in Virginia.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
$5 per weekly vehicle pass, collected separately at each entrance, or $2 per week for cyclists and walk-ins. Golden Age, Golden Access and Golden Eagle Passes honored. Commercial Tour Fees available on request. $14 per night to camp in national seashore, $20 per night in Assateague State Park.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Visitor Center/Exhibits
Barrier Island Visitor Center (MD), Toms Cove Visitor Center (VA), and Chincoteague Refuge Visitor Center (VA). Wayside exhibits located throughout the park.
Trails, Roadways:
In Maryland, four miles of paved roads include an adjacent bike path. 'Life of Assateague' self-guided trails interpret three different barrier island habitats. In Virginia, five miles of paved roads include a bike path. Two short nature trails explore natural habitats and a third leads to the base of the Assateague Lighthouse.
Programs, Activities:
Regularly scheduled park service or refuge activities are available seasonally. Education programs for schools are given throughout the school year. Information is available on request.
Lodging and Camping Facilities:
Camping is the only overnight opportunity on the island, and all state and national campgrounds are located in the Maryland portion. National seashore backpack or canoe-in backcountry camping is also located in Maryland. Call the national seashore at 410-641-3030 and the state park at 410-641-2120. A variety of commercial campgrounds and lodging is located in Chincoteague, VA. (757) 336-6161 or Ocean City, MD. (410) 213-0552.
Food, Supplies:
Local restaurants and groceries are located in nearby communities.
Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
Seasonally, Assateague State Park has a small snack bar and camp store. Canoes, bikes, and clam rakes are rented in the Maryland portion of the national seashore. Bookshops, operated by Eastern National Park and Monument Association and the Chincoteague Refuge Natural History association, are located in visitor centers.
Accessibility:
All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses, and wayside exhibits are completely accessible. The national seashore has established two accessible campsites which may be reserved. Beach wheelchairs with balloon tires are available.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
First time visitors should go to visitor centers to see exhibits and obtain literature about the many recreational activities and natural features in the seashore. A wide variety of guided programs (seasonally) can be enjoyed to enhance the visit.
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
National seashore campers may reserve up to eight weeks in advance by calling BIOSPHERICS at 1-800-365-2267. Assateague State Park reservations are available only on a weekly basis; call the state park at 410-641-2120. Backcountry campers must obtain a permit upon arrival. Hunters must register and should obtain a seashore hunting plan each September. Off-road vehicle users must carry certain equipment and purchase a $60 annual special use permit.
SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:
April - last Saturday; National Park Service 'open house'. July - last Wednesday and Thursday; pony swim and auction. November - Thanksgiving Week; Chincoteague Refuge 'open house'.
Call the park at 410-641-1441 for specific times and events.
VISITOR IMPACTS:
Call the park at 410-641-1441 for possible closures during threats by coastal storms.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
A wide variety of museums, nature trails and historic villages may be found on the mainland within 45 minutes of the seashore. Contact the visitor centers upon arrival.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write Assateague Island National Seashore, 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD. 21811 or call (410) 641-1441.