Description

What’s better than camping at the beach? How about backcountry camping at the beach! With a little extra effort in the form of backpacking along the water for 2 to 13 miles or paddling in (rad!) you can leave the riff raff behind for an idyllic, marshy, sand barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean complete with roaming wild horses. Choose between oceanside or bayside spots (bring the bug repellant!) and then you can get to the real fun of swimming, sunning and frolicking across the sandy hills.
Campsite area
Tent site
1 site
Up to guests per site
Other
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
No toilet
No pets
Amenities
Picnic table available
No potable water
No showers

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking
Fishing
Paddling
Off-roading (OHV)
Surfing
Swimming
Whitewater paddling
Wildlife watching

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Assateague Island Backcountry Camping.

Beach
Swimming hole
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26 Reviews

750
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Drop some Assateague Island Backcountry Camping knowledge on us.
Hipcamper Anne
Anne K.
recommends this listing.
August 18th, 2023

Assateague is a great place to camp and experience wildlife. I saw another reviewer say theyve never had an issue petting the wild horses. This is extremely dangerous and stupid. Tourists get injured, fined, and even jailed for messing with these horses every year. Please enjoy the area and leave wildlife alone no matter where you are!

Hipcamper Tara
Tara H.
recommends this listing.
September 28th, 2021

bring bug spray and water. Water is heavy. canoe in and walk about 1 mile to the Little Levels campsite. Otherwise, walk the 4.5 miles in soft sand.

Hipcamper Heather
Heather J.
recommends this listing.
January 9th, 2019

If you want to camp on beach, make sure your car can handle the deep sand! They say don't pet the wild horses, but I've never had a horse freak out if I tried to pet them!

Hipcamper Chris
Chris D.
recommends this listing.
July 20th, 2017

There's a lot of bugs that come out at night so keep that in mind

Hipcamper Sam
Sam L.
didn't provide a recommendation.
March 14th, 2017

If you want the beach completely to yourself, backpacking into Lower Levels or (to get out of the wind) the first bayside campsite is a fantastic experience in the winter. It's cold and windy, but if that doesn't scare you away, the horses are abundant, the stars are out, and you can find fox tracks among the dunes. A local brew from Burley Oak to end the trip just seals the deal.

Hipcamper Anthony
Anthony F.
recommends this listing.
March 7th, 2017

You can choose to hike in or offroad.

Hipcamper Joshua
Joshua M.
didn't provide a recommendation.
September 9th, 2015

Stayed over Memorial Day weekend 2015. First come first serve on campsites so found one available for two nights at the 'pine tree' campsite. My advice is check the weather and wind direction when going backcountry as these can effect the bug situation greatly. Lots of ticks at this location. Be prepared to get a solid leg workout if backpacking for a distance down the sand. Overall, if the conditions are right, it is an incredibly underestimated spot.

Hipcamper Autumn R.
recommends this listing.
August 7th, 2018
Hipcamper Beatriz N.
recommends this listing.
September 30th, 2018
Hipcamper Ed M.
recommends this listing.
August 13th, 2018
Hipcamper Gina M.
recommends this listing.
August 7th, 2018
Hipcamper Scott H.
recommends this listing.
May 4th, 2018
Hipcamper Andrew E.
recommends this listing.
April 17th, 2018
Hipcamper Samantha U.
recommends this listing.
March 14th, 2018
Hipcamper Tammy T.
recommends this listing.
November 27th, 2017
Hipcamper Riss R.
recommends this listing.
November 20th, 2017
Hipcamper Hallie K.
recommends this listing.
November 11th, 2017
Hipcamper Joanna K.
recommends this listing.
October 28th, 2017
Hipcamper Megan S.
recommends this listing.
August 14th, 2017
Hipcamper Tom B.
recommends this listing.
July 26th, 2017
Hipcamper Kevin R.
recommends this listing.
July 10th, 2017
Hipcamper Karen H.
recommends this listing.
June 18th, 2017
Hipcamper Shawn K.
recommends this listing.
May 31st, 2017
Hipcamper Emily N.
recommends this listing.
May 15th, 2017
Hipcamper Sam L.
recommends this listing.
March 14th, 2017
Hipcamper Daniel D.
recommends this listing.
February 13th, 2017
Park
Assateague Island National Seashore
State
Maryland
Country
United States
Phone Number
410-641-1441
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
38.072° N, 75.214° W
Unknown price
Tent Only - Hike In: 1 Site
(Up to people per site)