Entrance Fee
$25.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Assateague Island Visitor Center: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Miza AI
Plan your Assateague Island trip
About the Park
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.
What to See & Do
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visitor Centers
Assateague Island Visitor Center
The Assateague Island Visitor Center is located in the Maryland District of Assateague Island before the Verrazzano Bridge entrance into the park. The Assateague Island Visitor Center is open daily from 9 am - 4 pm.
Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center
The Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center is located in the Virginia District within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
Maryland District Ranger Contact Station & Campground Office
Offers campground information and registration, backcountry camping permits, hunting information, entrance passes and over-sand vehicle permits.
Where to Stay
Back Country Camping - Green Run
Bayside back country site
Back Country Camping - Little Levels
Back Country Camping, bayside
Back Country Camping - Pine Tree
Bay side back country campsite
Back Country Camping - Pope Bay
Bay side back country campsite
Back Country Camping - State Line
Back Country Camping; ocean side
Back Country Camping - Tingles Island
Bayside back country site
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Assateague Island National Seashore — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Assateague 7 day vehicle pass.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$0.00Assateague per person walk-in or bicycle
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00The Assateague Island National Seashore Annual Park Entrance Pass is $45.00. It is valid in both the Maryland District and Virginia District (Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge).
Operating Hours
Assateague Island National Seashore - Maryland District
Open year round, 24 hours a day.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
Wild horses in the salt marshes on Assateague Island
Tree Swallows migrating along the beach at Assateague
tents and vehicle in the oceanside campground dunes
waves on Assateague beach with people fishing in the background
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Build your Assateague Island itinerary
Tell Miza your dates, pace, and interests—get a day-by-day plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
Planning Assateague Island National Seashore
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.