Parks / Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island National Seashore
National Seashore · MD,VA
Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays. Rest, relax, recreate and enjoy some time on the edge of the continent.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (2)
OSV Status
6/8/26 MD open to State Line. VA South OSV fully closed. The VA North OSV fishing mile is open to 12 vehicles.
Administrative Closure of Areas due to Nesting Shorebird Season
Effective 4/2/26: The closure includes the following areas within the boundary of the National Seashore : * North End * All island interior beach habitat along the northern section of Assateague Island National Seashore (north of Assateague State Park) is closed to all entry between KM 0.5 - KM 9.5. * The island interior beach habitats between KM 21.8 - 22.8 and 23.5 - 24.5 of the MD OSV Zone are closed to all entry. This includes habitat from the existing OSV boundary west to the vegetated shrub line.
Entrance Fees
Assateague Island National Seashore offers an annual park pass for $45.00. It is valid in both the MD and VA districts of Assateague Island. (This includes the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge)
Campgrounds (11)
Bayside Drive-in Campground
Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $40 per night. No generators allowed in Loop B. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15, and are available for November 16 through March 14.
Details →Horse camping
Horse campers must bring their own horses. Sites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and hitching posts. Sites are $80 per night. Maximum 6 people and 6 horses. Up to six vehicles or trailers. Reservations are required 10/16 - 4/14.
Details →Oceanside Drive-in Campground
Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $40 per night. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15. Loop 1 sites are closed from November 16 through March 14. Loop 2 sites are First Come/First Serve from November 16 through March 14.
Details →Oceanside Group Campground
Organized clubs and affiliated groups must use group campsites. Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking area. Sites have multiple picnic tables and fire rings with grills. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15 and can be made up to six months in advance at $80 per night per site. 7 minimum - 25 maximum campers per site. Group sites are closed from November 16 through March 14.
Details →Oceanside Walk-in campground
Tent only sites. Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $40 per night. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15. These sites are closed from November 16 through March 14.
Details →Upcoming Events
Kayak in the Bay at Old Ferry Landing (MD)
Sep 5, 2026
Bay Discovery (MD)
Sep 5, 2026 · Located in the Maryland district at Old Ferry Landing.
Clamming Demonstration (MD)
Sep 5, 2026 · Located in the Maryland district at Old Ferry Landing.
Touch Tank Program (MD)
Sep 5, 2026 · Located at the Maryland District Visitor Center.
Crabbing Demonstration (MD)
Sep 5, 2026 · Located in the Maryland district at Old Ferry Landing.
Kayak in the Bay at Old Ferry Landing (MD)
Sep 19, 2026
Kayak in the Bay at Old Ferry Landing (MD)
Sep 26, 2026
Things to Do
Bird at Toms Cove
The Virginia district of Assateague Island lies within the Atlantic Flyway, providing excellent birding opportunities year-round. No matter what time of year you visit, a great spot to start your birding adventure is along Beach Road overlooking Toms Cove.
Crabbing at Assateague Island
Who doesn’t love to eat a blue crab? After all, the literal translation of this Latin name (Callinectes sapidus) is the beautiful (calli) swimmer (nectes) that is savory (sapidus). Crabbing is a great activity for the entire family regardless of age.
Ranger-Led Programs at Assateague
A variety of ranger guided programs are available to encourage visitors of all ages to enjoy and learn more about the barrier island environment.
See the Wild Horses in the Maryland district
View the wild horses of Assateague Island National Seashore. The wild horses are free roaming and spend time in the various habitats on the island. While they graze in the marshes and find freshwater in the forest, you may even see them out on the beach with you! Remember to observe the horses from no less than 40 feet away because they are wild and will bite and kick.
See the Wild Horses in the Virginia District
Assateague Island is well known for the famous wild horses who call the island home. In the Virginia district, the wild horses are commonly referred to as “Chincoteague Ponies”. 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. Horses may be visible by foot, bike or car.
Surf Fishing on Assateague
Grab your fishing pole and get comfortable on the beach! Surf fishing is an activity that is not only fun and relaxing, but also has the potential of producing your dinner for the night! Spring, summer and fall are the recommended times of the year to fish.
Visitor Centers
- Assateague Island Visitor Center
- Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center
- Maryland District Ranger Contact Station & Campground Office
Source: National Park Service.