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Assateague Island National Seashore

Berlin, MD

Three agencies administer Assateague, a windswept barrier island that offers many opportunities for seashore recreation and nature study along its thirty-seven miles. Ocean swimming, camping, bayside canoeing, crabbing, clamming, hunting, surf fishing, and off-road vehicle use are all popular.

The famous wild horses roam throughout and share beach to bay habitats with a host of other animals, including over 300 species of birds.

Assateague Island became part of the National Park System in 1965. The park's land and water boundaries encompass over 48,000 acres in the states of Maryland and Virginia.

CONTACTS

Email - christopher_seymour@nps.gov

Write to
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 21811

- or -
PO Box 38
8586 Beach Rd
Chincoteague, VA 23336

Phone
Visitor Information - 410-641-1441
Visitor Information - 757-336-6577

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Maryland District - open year round, 24 hours a day. Barrier Island Visitor Center open 9 am - 5 pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Virginia District - January-March: 6 am - 6 pm. April: 6 am - 8 pm. May-September: 5 am - 10 pm. October: 6 am - 8 pm. November-December: 6 am - 6 pm. Visitor centers open 9 am - 4 pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Getting There
PLANE - The closest airports are Ocean City Municipal Airport (410-213-2471) and Salisbury-Wicomico County Regional Airport (410-548-4827).

CAR - 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 from 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.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - No public transportation available.

Weather & Climate
Summers are generally hot and humid. Mosquitos and ticks are abundant from spring through autumn. Insect repellent and/or protective clothing is recommended. Rarely snows in the winter but often a damp cold. Sturdy hiking shoes recommended for long walks in the sand and hard sole water shoes for wading in bay waters.

Accessibility
All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. The seashore has established two accessible campsites which may be reserved. Beach wheelchairs with balloon tires are available for use on the oceanside beaches in Maryland and Virginia.

Getting Around
In Maryland, four miles of paved roads include an adjacent bike path. 'Life of Assateague' self-guided trails interpret three different barrier island habitats. In Virginia, five miles of paved roads include a bike path and fifteen miles of trails wind through refuge marshes and forests, including a path to the Assateague lighthouse. Hikers can enjoy miles of beaches on both the Maryland and Virginia sides of the island.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
INDIVIDUAL - MARYLAND - FOOT/BICYCLE
$2.00 for 7 Days

VEHICLE - MARYLAND
$15.00 for Annual

VEHICLE - MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA
$5.00 for 7 Days

VEHICLE - VIRGINIA
$15.00 for Annual
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Annual Pass

VEHICLE - VIRGINIA
$15.00 for Annual
USFWS Migratory Waterfowl Duck Stamp.

Special Use Permits
OFF-ROAD VEHICLE
$60.00 for Annual

CAMPING

Assateague Island National Seashore
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
Visitors to the Maryland district of Assateague Island may enjoy a variety of camping opportunities. The National Park Service provides year round camping in oceanside and bayside campgrounds. These campgrounds are first-come, first-served from October 16 through April 14 ($12.00/night). Reservations are recommended April 15 through October 15 ($16.00/night). For backcountry camping enthusiasts, two oceanside and four bayside sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis for visitors who wish to backpack or paddle the island. A $5 backcountry permit is required and is only issued during business hours. There is no camping in the Virginia District of Assateague Island. National Seashore camping information may be mailed upon request. Obtain a detailed brochure by calling (410) 641-3030.
For More Information on this campground please call 1-410-641-3030

FACILITIES

Ranger Stations
SINEPUXENT DISTRICT RANGER STATION/CAMPGROUND OFFICE
Open All Year
Phone - (410) 641-3030
Location - Located in the Maryland District of Assateague Island on east side of Bayberry Drive, after the entrance station.
Available Facilities - Offers campground information and registration, backcountry camping permits, hunting information and off-road vehicle permits.

Visitor Centers
BARRIER ISLAND
Open All Year 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Phone - (410) 641-1441
Location - The Barrier Island Visitor Center is located in the Maryland District of Assateague Island on the southern side of Route 611, before the Verrazzano Bridge entrance into the park.
Closures - Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
Special Programs - Regularly scheduled park activities are available seasonally. Education programs for schools are given throughout the year. Information is available upon request.
Exhibits - The Barrier Island Visitor Center features beachcombing exhibits, educational brochures, nature films, a marine aquarium and touch tank.
Available Facilities - A cooperating association bookstore, lost and found, emergency services and restrooms are available.

CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Open All Year 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Phone - (757) 336-6122
Location - The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located in the Virginia District of Assateague Island, on the north side of Beach Road, just after the entrance station.
Closures - The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is closed on New Year's and Christmas days.
Special Programs - Regularly scheduled refuge activities are available seasonally. Education programs for schools are given in the spring. Information is available upon request.
Exhibits - The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center features, educational exhibits and brochures, and nature films.
Available Facilities - A cooperating association bookstore, lost and found, emergency services and restrooms are available.

TOMS COVE
Open All Year
Winter 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Summer 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Spring & Fall 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Phone - 1-757-336-6577
Location - The Toms Cove Visitor Center is located on the south side of Beach Road, prior to the beach parking areas.
Closures - Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
Special Programs - Regularly scheduled park activities are available seasonally. Education programs for schools are given spring and fall. Information is available upon request.
Exhibits - The Toms Cove Visitor Center features beachcombing exhibits, educational brochures, a marine aquarium and touch tank.
Available Facilities - A bookstore, lost and found, emergency services and permits (overnight fishing, off-road vehicle, campfire) are available.

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