National park · United States
Assateague Island National Seashore
Go for one full day by car: US$25–30 per vehicle at the Maryland gate, walk the Life of the Dunes and Life of the Forest trails before 10:00, and keep every scrap of food locked in the car — the horses will take it.Go for one full day by car: US$25–30 per vehicle at the Maryland gate, walk the Life of the Dunes and Life of the Forest trails before 10:00 AM, and keep every scrap of food locked in the car — the horses will take it.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
194 km²75 sq mi
approximate
Established
1965
Best months
May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 194 km²75 sq mi
- About 48,000 acres (194 km²) total, more than half of it near-shore and estuarine water.
- Established
- 1965
- Best months
- May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Assateague is a 60 km barrier island off Maryland and Virginia, permanently uninhabited and best known for its free-roaming horses. The Maryland end holds the national seashore and a state park with the only camping on the island; the Virginia end is the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, day-use only, with the lighthouse and the wildlife loop. Driving is the only practical way in, and the two ends are not connected by road — you choose one side per trip.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetland · 1993Chincoteague and Sinepuxent Bays, on the bayside of the island.
Size and age
194 km²75 sq mi · national park since 1965
About 48,000 acres (194 km²) total, more than half of it near-shore and estuarine water.
Why go
- Wild horses walk the beach and the campground loops; you watch from a distance, not up close.
- Two short boardwalk-and-sand trails explain how a barrier island actually works.
- Ocean beach with no buildings behind it for kilometres in either direction.
- The Virginia end adds the 1833 lighthouse and a wildlife loop that is closed to cars at times.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, damp, wind; most services shut
- FebCold and grey; few facilities open
- MarCool and windy; camping reservations open 15 Mar
- AprMild; state park camping opens late Apr
- MayWarm, dry, before the crowds
- JunHot; biting insects build through the month
- JulHot, humid, peak crowds; Pony Penning late Jul
- AugHottest and busiest; lifeguards on the NPS beach
- SepSea still warm, crowds thin after Labor Day
- OctClear, cool, quiet; camping closes end Oct
- NovCool and quiet; NPS camping reservations end 15 Nov
- DecCold wind; check what is open
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild horses (ponies)All year · Most visible at sunrise, late afternoon and dusk; often on the road after dark. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Migrating shorebirdsApr–May, Aug–Oct · Tens of thousands use the bayside flats; keep to marked areas. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Sika deerSep–Nov · Non-native, introduced in the 1920s; rutting calls in autumn. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Snow geese and winter waterfowlNov–Feb · Move between the bay marshes and mainland fields. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Biting insects (mosquitoes, greenheads)Jun–Sep · Worst on calm, humid days on the bayside; repellent with DEET and long sleeves help. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Ocean City, MD
US-50 west, then MD-611 south to the island entrance.
30–40 min
From Washington, DC
US-50 east across the Bay Bridge, then US-113 and MD-376/MD-611.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Chincoteague, VA (south end)
US-13 to VA-175 east through Chincoteague and Maddox Boulevard to the refuge.
45–60 min
From Eastern Shore plan
Where this fits with Ocean City, Berlin and the bay towns.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Assateague State Park (MD) | The northern tip: lifeguarded swimming beach, 342 campsites, the closest facilities. | Day-use fee plus camping fee; open in season. |
| Maryland national seashore | Most of the Maryland island: North Ocean Beach, the two nature trails, the boat launch and the bayside. | Entrance fee; open year-round, some loops seasonal. |
| Over-sand vehicle zone | Beach driving south of South Ocean Beach, with the Bullpen camping area beyond. | Permit only; no swimming near vehicles. |
| Chincoteague NWR (VA) | The southern third: lighthouse, wildlife loop, beach; no camping. | Refuge entrance fee; day use only. |
Sketch map
- 1Assateague Island National Seashore (park centre) · Headquarters≈38.092, -75.204Map ↗
- 2Maryland entrance station (MD-611) · Gate≈38.246, -75.158Map ↗
- 3Assateague State Park · Beach≈38.238, -75.152Map ↗
- 4North Ocean Beach · Beach≈38.221, -75.156Map ↗
- 5Life of the Forest trail · Trail≈38.205, -75.162Map ↗
- 6Assateague Lighthouse (VA) · Viewpoint≈37.911, -75.356Map ↗
- 7Chincoteague NWR entrance (VA) · Gate≈37.934, -75.372Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland entrance (Assateague Island National Seashore) | US$25–30 | vehicle | 7-day pass; 2026 estimate, check the current rate. |
| Maryland entrance, on foot or bicycle | US$10–15 | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Assateague State Park day-use | US$5–10 | person | Separate Maryland state charge; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Chincoteague NWR (Virginia end) entrance | US$0–25 | vehicle | Fees change by season and are waived on some federal holidays; check before you go. |
| NPS campsite, Oceanside or Bayside | US$40–80 | site per night | US$40 individual, US$80 group or horse site; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Over-sand vehicle permit | US$80–150 | vehicle per year | Required to drive on the beach south of South Ocean Beach. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Camping reservation permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Over-sand vehicle permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Food storage
- All food and coolers must stay locked in a vehicle or in an airtight container; horses will bite or step into a car for it.
- Distance from horses
- Stay well back and never feed or touch them; they are wild and kick and bite.
- Dogs
- Not allowed on the national seashore beaches or trails, including in vehicles parked on the beach (check seasonal rules).
- Drones
- Launching or landing anywhere in the national seashore is prohibited.
- Fires
- Only in provided rings and grills; no fires on the beach or in the dunes.
- Alcohol
- Allowed for campers of legal age; under-21 possession is enforced with fines.
Where to stay
In the park
Assateague State Park campground
342 sites with picnic table and fire ring; some 30-amp hookups; late April to late October.
In the park
NPS Oceanside and Bayside campsites
Drive-in and walk-in sites, no hookups; reservations required 15 Mar–15 Nov.
Near the park
Ocean City, MD
Hotels and rentals of every level, 30–40 min from the gate.
Near the park
Chincoteague, VA
Motels, inns and campgrounds for the Virginia end; the island itself has no lodging.
Safety
Sun and heat high
Rip currents and shorebreak medium
Biting insects medium
Soft sand and tides (over-sand driving) high
Horses on the road after dark medium
Accessibility
- The Maryland visitor centre, the two nature trails and North Ocean Beach have accessible parking and boardwalk or hard-surface sections.
- The lighthouse tower in Virginia has steep stairs; the grounds are level.
Visiting lightly
- Do not feed or approach the horses; hand-fed ponies become aggressive and are removed from the herd.
- Stay out of closed nesting areas on the bayside flats — the birds are mid-migration and need the rest.
- Pack out everything, including food scraps; there is no rubbish collection on the beach.
- Use the marked dune crossings; walking over dunes kills the grass that holds the island together.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Assateague Island?
On the Maryland side, expect about US$25–30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass, or US$10–15 per person on foot or by bicycle (2026 estimate). The Virginia end is the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, where the vehicle fee changes by season and is waived on some federal holidays. Camping and the over-sand vehicle permit cost extra.
What are the best hikes in Assateague Island?
The Life of the Dunes and Life of the Forest trails on the Maryland side are the two short, marked walks — 30–45 minutes each, easy, and the best introduction to the island. Longer walks are simply the beach itself: head north from the state park swimming area or south along the ocean shore. The Virginia end has the wildlife loop, which you can walk or bike.
When is the best time to visit Assateague Island?
May, September and October: warm enough to swim in early autumn, dry, and far quieter than July and August. Summer is hot, humid and busy, with biting insects on the bayside. Winter is cold and windy with most services closed, though the island stays open.
Can I see the wild horses?
Yes, usually without trying — they graze beside the road, in the campground loops and on the beach, most often around sunrise and sunset. Keep your distance, never feed them, and lock all food in your car. They are wild and they bite and kick.
Can I drive on the beach?
Only south of South Ocean Beach on the Maryland side, and only with a seasonal over-sand vehicle permit. Soft sand and tides catch unprepared drivers; air down your tyres and carry recovery gear.
Can I camp on Assateague?
Yes, on the Maryland side only. The state park has 342 sites from late April to late October, and the national seashore has drive-in, walk-in, group and horse sites, with reservations required 15 March–15 November. The Virginia end has no camping on the island; use Chincoteague.
Do I need a national park pass?
Assateague Island National Seashore accepts the America the Beautiful annual pass, which pays for itself if you visit several federal sites in a year. The Maryland state park day-use fee is separate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNPS — Assateague Island National Seashore
- officialNPS — Assateague Island fees and passes
- officialNPS — Assateague Island camping
- officialUS Fish and Wildlife Service — Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
- officialMaryland Department of Natural Resources — Assateague State Park
- secondaryWikipedia — Assateague Island
- secondaryWikivoyage: Assateague Island, revision 5223281 (CC BY-SA 4.0)