Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Assateague Island adventure.
Beach campers, outdoor adventurers, and wild horses all love this Atlantic island. Â
Coastal wilderness doesnât get wilder than this cross-state barrier island, where seabirds swoop over salt marshes and herds of wild horses roam across maritime forests. More than 37 miles of sandy beaches stretch along both the Atlantic oceanside shore and the bayside, so once youâve cooled off with a swim, you can spend your time surf fishing, crabbing, and hiking or biking along miles of coastal trails. To explore further, bring a kayak or canoe to paddle the shoreline, saddle up for a horseback ride, or take a drive in your OSV (over-sand vehicle). Camping is equally adventurous—you can even pitch your tent right on the sand.
Summertime is the best time for swimming and water activities at the Assateague Island National Seashore, and beaches are patrolled from late May through early September. Birding is popular year-round, with shorebirds migrating to the marshes in summer and waterfowl sightings most notable in fall. The main camping season runs from mid-March through mid-November, and walk-in sites are closed outside of this period.Â