These two islands are primarily owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy (, Alert - Closures and Updates for Planning Your Visit. Yup they were where she said, and NOWHERE NEAR THE BEACH, OR HUMANS as shown in the photos! Toms Cove Hook provides an opportunity to walk along the ocean beach to Fishing Point and then back again by the way you came. Storms can create inlets or fill them in. Imagine our surprise (as we inched our way to what we thought was a toll shack) at the sight of a team of ponies walking inbetween the cars coming in and heading out of the island!! We stayed here over Columbus Day weekend and camped in the H Loop, which has electrical hook-ups. Learn more window zoom in, Tap Into Campground Reviews via iOS or Android. We came upon 3 ponies walking along the side of the road! First, when we entered and asked at the gate what's the best place to see the horses, she knew EXACTLY where they were -. It’s right over the line of, Chincoteague. Assawoman, Cedar and Metompkin Islands are additional beaches we manage with limited access opportunities for the public throughout the year. Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. You can get informed at the. The National Park Service (NPS) will institute a modest increase for all parks that charge entrance fees. Access our 10+ million data points plus hundreds of thousands of reviews via the free RV LIFE App. Permits can be purchased at Toms Cove Visitor Center only, please see the NPS website for details. Almost empty long beach, beautiful. The white sands of this windswept barrier island are a major reason for visitors to flock to this area. If you are a senior (over 62) camping is 1/2 price Sunday - Thursday. When visiting any of these islands, please keep to the water's edge at all times and do not enter posted bird nesting areas. Prior to the refuge's establishment in 1943, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company purchased the ponies and continues ownership to this day. I so wanted to open my window and pet him, but there were signs asking that you not to, so as difficult as it was to adhere to, we just enjoyed being able to witness such an incredible sight. The changing tempo of tides and seasons help to shape the beach. . The white sands of this windswept barrier island are a major reason for visitors to flock to this area. When the campground is open, the office may be reached at 410-641-2918. Please choose a different date. Assateague Island National Seashore is a 38-mile barrier island on the East Coast between Maryland and Virginia. Then Assateague. . AND, SO FAR AWAY COULDN'T EVEN GET A DECENT PIX W/O A TELEPHOTO LENS! Beach and surf safety are essential to an enjoyable visit. are additional beaches we manage with limited access opportunities for the public throughout the year. Couldn't wait to see the horses up close and on the beach, as I've always seen in the pix! This beautiful area has been preserved by the National Park Service and is home to many activities, such as kayaking, windsurfing, and camping, but what draws in visitors from around the country each year is the wild ponies that roam. The hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily. Please refer to our introductory guide to Virginia's barrier islands for information on visiting beaches beyond Assateague Island, VA. Over the past 200-300 years, these modern-day descendants of domestic horses have adapted to the hardships of living near the ocean. We're going back in a couple of weeks, we liked it so much. If they roam free, than how did she know EXACTLY where they were, unless they are corralled? There was a group of bicyclists that stopped to grab pictures of them, as well as the people in the line of traffic heading toward the beach. NPS photo. They found us!!!! 2020 Assateague Island National Seashore Annual Pass . Plants, animals and people shift and adapt in counterpoint to these changes. The Firemen are allowed to graze up to 150 ponies on refuge land through a Special Use Permit from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. To protect the fragile dune system please stay out of the interior dunes along the hook, these are considered closed areas. They do have an electric loop but as you can imagine it was crowded / 100% full. and took dozens of pictures to show everyone how close we got to them!!!! Assawoman Island is open in the winter for fishing and closes annually from March 15 - September 15 for nesting shorebirds. Oceanside Walk-in: Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking areas. Appropriate recreational activities include those related to interpretation, environmental education, fishing; crabbing; clamming; access for boating and kayaking; and other uses approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. by SRIALE Assateague Island and its even better-known sister island, Chincoteague, are famous for their wild pony herds. The retreating shoreline marks the island’s westward movement. The Beach is nice enough, if that's why you're going. Open We camped at Assateague State Park in a Travel Trailer. I've always wanted to go to Assateague Island and since it was so close we decided to take the drive. (Don't miss Wallops Island)! Though camping is not allowed, the recreational beach remains a destination for birders, photographers, beachcombers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The round trip distance between the recreational beach and the tip of the hook is about 9 miles. These two islands are primarily owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org/vcr) and Cedar Island also hosts some privately owned areas. more, Historical & Heritage Tours, Boat Tours, Private Tours, Sightseeing Tours, Nature & Wildlife Tours, Commonly searched for in Assateague Island. New habitats are created --- old ones are reinvented. Make note of how far you’ve walked, because you’ll need to cover the same distance upon return. Assateague Island National Seashore Campgrounds: Oceanside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Usually, I've been to the Southern portion (VA) side. The recreational beach is a nature-lover’s paradise all year round. The additional funds will be used for infrastructure and maintenance needs to enhance the visitor experience. BIG, BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!! Wild Beach stretches north 11 miles from the vicinity of D-Dike to the Virginia-Maryland boundary is a hiker’s paradise. This is actually a barrier island for VA and MD. Beach Information (2) Dining Out (6) Entertainment (4) Exclusive Discounts (2) However, I don’t think I will ever return to Assateague beach because the overwhelming amount of biting flies. In order to safeguard threatened and endangered species, the hook (from the Coast Guard Station to Fishing Point) is closed to all access from March 15 – August 31. It is managed by the National Park Service (NPS), who provide and manage visitor contact, interpretive facilities and programs for public recreation and enjoyment. Itinerary: 5:00am: Meet at Ocean City Park and Ride for departure. Over-sand vehicles (OSV) also have access to the hook and the North fishing zone, but a permit is required. Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore Two drive-in campgrounds, one walk-in campground, a group campground, six backcountry campsites open to hikers and kayakers, and even a campground for those who bring their horses to the park are located in the Maryland section of Assateague Island National Seashore. . Bath houses need some updating. Beach and surf safety are essential to an enjoyable visit. Visit Assateague Island National Seashore via private transportation and enjoy the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. Only one water spigot per loop. They can cut away dunes and wash sand across the island. Copyright © 2000-2020 CampgroundReviews.com - All Rights Reserved. They are/were everywhere - even after using bug spray with deet. Its best to top off your water tank before you park your RV. Relax around a campfire and have your morning cup of coffee away from the crowds. Only a few short yards from this encounter, traffic seemed to come to a halt. Not all of these uses are priority public uses, however, some visitors that recreate on the beach also surf fish, clam and crab, as well as observe wildlife on the beach and refuge trails and roads ways. Website. Also a beautiful environment. I felt like a little kid! Waves were small and plenty of sun shine. This was the first time I have been on the Northern side (MD) side. Beach was nice, no flies this trip. Plenty of people with dogs on the beach. Only two showers in each bath house. Covid-19 Status: This park has been confirmed as We did a spur-of-the-moment trip, to D.C., at the beginning of the off-season. We weren't expecting to see much, since it was the off -season and we weren't prepared to pay a fee to get on the beach, but we were pleasantly surprised as soon as we crossed over the bridge onto the island. Print your Assateague State Park/Youth Group Procedures here. While summer waves and longshore currents may build a wide beach, most of the year sand is scoured from the northshore and moved southward leaving a narrow, steep shoreline in various locations. Vehicles are not permitted here. For beach lovers, there are many miles of seashore to enjoy, including a recreational beach, wild beach and the Toms Cove Hook, also referred to as the Over-sand Vehicle Zone (OSV). I've always wanted to go to Assateague Island and since it was so close we decided to take the drive. Hotels near (SBY) Wicomico County Airport. You can get informed at the NPS website. Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a, Is this attraction a good place to visit on a. Assateague Island National Seashore (410) 641-1441 . Swimming and sunbathing draws a large crowd during summer and early fall. We walked along it for almost a mile and jumped the waves a bit, still warm in September. NPS lifeguards are typically on duty from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M daily during the summertime. Assateague Island State Park. "Drive about 1/2 mile more and they'll be on the right." Assawoman Island is open in the winter for fishing and closes annually from March 15 - September 15 for nesting shorebirds. One of the most gorgeous beaches found on the Atlantic Coast is the one at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations or make reservations online. They walked right up to your window and looked at you, as if you were on display for them!! We manage portions of Cedar and Metompkin Islands for hiking, fishing and wildlife observation. Park Rangers travel through campsite loops several time a day. Go swimming, sunbathing, hiking, or fishing at Assateague Island National Seashore located within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which …