The best camping in Assateague Island National Seashore, MD

Coastal wilderness doesn’t 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 you’ve 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.

• Best for tent campers: Oceanside Walk-in Campground has tent-only sites with picnic tables and fire rings a short walk from the parking areas. 
• Best for RVs: Bayside Campground has drive-in sites for tents, trailers, and RVs. There are no hookups, but generators are permitted in all but one zone of the camp. 
• Best for backcountry campers: State Line Campsite offers backcountry tent camping right on the beach. A chemical toilet is provided, but you’ll need to bring your own drinking water.

1. You can reserve the park’s campsites in advance via the Recreation.gov website. 
2. Campsite reservations open six months in advance, and same-day bookings are possible. 
3. Reservations are required for all sites from March 15 through November 15. Outside of this period, drive-in sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
4. Campsites can book up the day they become available for summer and holiday weekends, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment. 

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. 

• There are two entry points to Assateague Island National Seashore. In Maryland, access to the park is via Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City. In Virginia, access is via Route 175, two miles east of Chincoteague. It is not possible to drive between the Virginia and Maryland sides while on the island.
• A per-vehicle fee is charged to enter the seashore; it is free to enter on foot or by bike. OSV permits and saltwater fishing licences are required. 
• Island facilities include two visitor centers, seasonal kayak and canoe rentals, a beach store, picnic areas, patrolled swimming beaches, and restrooms. 
• Assateague has free-roaming herds of wild horses, and visitors are advised to keep a distance for their own safety—these are feral animals that may kick or bite. 
• There are accessible campsites, nature trails, restrooms, and beaches at Assateague Island. Beach wheelchairs are available at patrolled beaches.