Notable Campgrounds
- 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.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- You can reserve the park’s campsites in advance via the Recreation.gov website.
- Campsite reservations open six months in advance, and same-day bookings are possible.
- 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.
- Campsites can book up the day they become available for summer and holiday weekends, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
When to Go
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.
Know Before You Go
- 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.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Beach campers, outdoor adventurers, and wild horses all love this Atlantic island.
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.
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.
Activities in the park
6 campgrounds in Assateague Island National Seashore
Your perfect day at the beach doesn’t have to end at Assateague Island National Seashore. Keep your suit on and your shoes off as you head to their walk-in camping with tent-only sites within 200 feet of the parking area. Stay up all night staring into the campfire and watch the sun rise over your front row Atlantic Ocean view. Keep the sand out o Read more...
The Bayside Drive-in Camping on the Assateague Island National Seashore is the perfect place to park it for a few days and get your beach on, with a life-guarded swimming beach just a hop away. Bring along your bike and kayak or rent one nearby to explore the island’s bike trails and marshes up close and personal. Want to be the campsite hero? Cat Read more...
Want to get the whole gang together for summer? Why not reserve the group campsite at Assateague Island National Seashore for a gathering that’s anything but ordinary. With front row access to the Atlantic Ocean and a life-guarded beach just steps away, this cozy tent-only camp is just the ticket for your next group get-together. Sites all within Read more...
Horse lovers! How about hanging near one of two wild horse herds wandering across the hilly, marshy lands of Assateague Island National Seashore. Or why not bring your own horse and ride along the sandy shores up to your Equestrian Camp right off the beach? This barrier island of sand, wind and waves off the Atlantic Ocean is just the ticket for t Read more...
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 oce Read more...
Picture yourself sitting under a shade tarp at camp after a nice ocean swim with sand between your toes, a misty sea breeze and wild horses keeping you company. Well you can make this dream a reality at Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Drive-in. Choose between a variety of RV and car-friendly sites and set up your beachy home away fro Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
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.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —