National Seashore

Assateague Island National Seashore

Mid-Atlantic

Latest news

Sep 21 Assateague Island National Seashore to Begin $2.5 Million Water Line Project to Improve Visitor Experience

About Assateague Island

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.

From the National Park Service.

Region: Mid-Atlantic
States: Maryland and Virginia
Designation: National Seashore
Entrance fee: $25, private vehicle

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Assateague Island.

Entrance fees

$25 Private Vehicle Assateague 7 day vehicle pass.
$20 Motorcycle
Free Per Person

Passes

$45 Annual Entrance - Park

Hours

Assateague Island National Seashore - Maryland District

Open 24 hours a day, every day.

Open year round, 24 hours a day.

Weather and when to go

Spring: Often windy and cool with lows in the 40's and highs in the 60's. Summer: Hot and humid with lows in the 60's and highs in the 80's. Fall: Warm with lows in the 50's and highs in the 70's. Winter: Damp cold and often windy. Lows in the 20's, highs in the 40's.

Getting there

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. Vehicles must return to the mainland to access either the north or south entrance.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: (410) 641-1441
Email: asis_information@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/asis

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Assateague Island

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Assateague Island

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Ranger-Led Programs at Assateague

Guided Tours · about 45 min

A variety of ranger guided programs are available to encourage visitors of all ages to enjoy and learn more about the barrier island environment.
Surf Fishing on Assateague

Saltwater Fishing · about 45 min

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…
Bird at Toms Cove

Birdwatching · about 45 min

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 sp…
See the Wild Horses in the Maryland district

Wildlife Watching · about 45 min

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…
See the Wild Horses in the Virginia District

Wildlife Watching · about 45 min

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”. U…
Crabbing at Assateague Island

Fishing · about 45 min

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)…

Campgrounds in Assateague Island

Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.

Oceanside Drive-in Campground

16 reservable sites

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 Marc…

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Bayside Drive-in Campground

22 reservable sites

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. Re…

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Oceanside Walk-in campground

21 reservable sites

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 a…

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Oceanside Group Campground

5 reservable sites

Organized clubs and affiliated groups must use group campsites. Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking area. Sites have multiple picnic…

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Horse camping

2 reservable sites

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…

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Back Country Camping - Pine Tree

1 first-come site

Bay side back country campsite
Back Country Camping - Tingles Island

1 first-come site

Bayside back country site
Back Country Camping - Green Run

1 reservable site · 1 first-come site

Bayside back country site
Back Country Camping - Pope Bay

1 reservable site · 1 first-come site

Bay side back country campsite
Back Country Camping - Little Levels

1 first-come site

Back Country Camping, bayside
Back Country Camping - State Line

1 first-come site

Back Country Camping; ocean side