Camping in Assateague Island National Seashore

99% (114 reviews)

Top camping in Assateague Island National Seashore

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
99% (114 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Assateague Island National Seashore adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Assateague Island National Seashore

97%
(485)

Kingsley Orchards, LLC

5 sites · RVs, Tents36 acres · Frankford, DE
Pitch your tent or park your RV on our historic 36-acre blueberry farm. Picnic tables, charcoal grills, and fire pits are located on lots. We are a newly renovated farm that has an almost 60-year history. Very close to Delaware and Ocean City Beaches! Our property is also monitored by security cameras. Once owned by Tom Ryan and part of the 100+ acres of Ryan's Berry Farm, Kingsley Orchards now owns the middle 36 acres and market building of the historic farm. Efforts paid off and the farm and market opened in June 2017 with a beautiful crop of blueberries and many multi-generational customers coming back with their children. The best outcome has been the opportunity to share growing food with children and helping them learn a love for outdoors and farming. Many of the customers remember their own grandparents bringing them to the farm! We had customers from age 1 to 89 picking blueberries We also offer a climate controlled venue for parties, events and several campsites on our farm.
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$49.50
 / night
100%
(4)

Tiny House on a Forest Homestead

3 sites · Lodging14 acres · Mardela Springs, MD
Welcome to Maypop Homestead, our 14-acre slice of paradise nestled on a quiet dirt road in the historic San Domingo community. Our cozy tiny house is tucked into a peaceful corner of the land, bordered by 10 acres of protected forest and overlooking a tranquil pond where deer, frogs, turtles, and a variety of birds are frequent visitors. Inside, you'll find everything you need for a restful stay: a queen-sized bed, a fully equipped kitchenette with a stovetop, a full bath with a composting toilet, and a meditation space in the loft. Step outside onto the large deck to enjoy your morning coffee, watch the sun filter through the trees, do yoga, light up the fire pit, or listen to songbirds flutter around our feeders. Wi-fi is available if you wish to stay connected. We’re passionate about growing food, medicinal herbs, and flowers, and we’d love to share our organic garden harvest with you when it’s in season — think fresh veggies, vibrant herbs, juicy berries, and beautiful flowers. We are happy to give you a tour of the garden! Sam is an herbalist and loves sharing knowledge about the plants and medicine we grow! You'll also meet our friendly feline companions: Trash Boat, Portis, Aureliano, and Yellow, who may stop by to say hello. Whether you're looking to unwind, explore nature, or just enjoy a cozy night under the stars, our tiny house offers a unique, quiet, and earthy escape. We love the Eastern Shore for its beaches, rich cultural history, and great food and brews. We are close to Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, several local breweries, Laytons Chance Winery, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, and our spectacular beaches. Please let us know if you would like recommendations for local attractions!
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$88
 / night
100%
(125)

Why Not Acres

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents17 acres · Frankford, DE
HORSES WELCOME!  Why not run your horse on the beach, then come to our campsites to relax for the rest of your day.  There is a fenced pasture positioned next to the sites so you can see your faithful friend enjoying some grass or hay.  We have a new Zinger 29' trailer set up with a bunk room and another bedroom, full kitchen and bathroom.  It can easily sleep six people.  If you have your own RV, we have a full hook up at the same area.  The pasture where your horse stays will also have hay, water and shelter with a run-in.  This is a sanctuary for our animals.  We have nine animals here, four horses (some minnies) and five donkeys (some minnies).  By staying here, you will be helping us to support our animals.  We are in Frankford, De which is close to all the beaches and parks.  There are many shopping adventures awaiting you, either outlets or upcycle stores.  If you just want to relax, there is a small pond out back stocked with bass and turtles.  We have 17+ acres but we only use the front five acres and leave the rest for the deer, foxes, eagles, hawks and whatever else shows up.  We believe this is Heaven on earth and would love to share it will you.  So please come, stay at our farm and relax.  We are here year round.
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$55
 / night
100%
(3)

Little Rustic Cabin Near Onancock

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Onancock, VA
If you are looking for a unique experience and appreciate history, architecture, and exquisite design, you just found your spot. First of all, the location. The cabin is located on a rural road that is a five minute drive to downtown Onancock, which offers a coffee shop, several restaurants, bakery, shops, Saturday farmers’ market, and the harbor. Chincoteague and the famous ponies are 35 minutes north, and bougie Cape Charles is 40 minutes south. When you open the door to this 300’ gem, you will step back in time to a simpler way of life. This century-old building was moved to the site and has been brought back to life, preserving the original character, while adding the creature comforts we love of today. Soaring 12 foot ceilings provide a spacious air, and the original wood interior offer charm and patina that simply cannot be manufactured. In the past, it was a barber shop and then a poker joint. This place is a design nerd’s dream, a clever combination of old, new, and vintage pieces, handmade pottery and art, with close attention paid to each chosen piece. Lace curtains and blackout blinds cover all your light preferences for peaceful sleeping. The queen bed is a high end hybrid mattress with traditional coil base and memory foam top. A giant 55” TV is directly across from the bed for cozy streaming. The modern bathroom has a vintage wall sink found on site, and terrific water pressure from a rain shower head with instant, never ending Rinnai hot water. The kitchen has an ample antique sideboard as your sink, apartment size refrigerator, induction hot plate, coffee, microwave, and combo convection toaster oven/air fryer. The marble table seats two. A comfortable down-filled loveseat adds another lounge option. You will enjoy all the artistic touches around the room. Did I mention the front porch??? It’s the perfect spot for morning coffee, afternoon wine, and evening stargazing from rocking chairs with your boo. A pretty view of a wide field is across the street and will sooth your weary soul. What’s not to love about that?
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$121.50
 / night
100%
(5)

Country Camping Near Beaches

3 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Milton, DE
Camp in a backyard in a quiet area with a barn and horses nearby. Site 1 has water hookup and a 30 amp and 110 outlet available. Site 2 has water access and a 110 outlet available. Site 3 is for tent camping only and is more secluded. It does have water access available. These sites are a great spot to watch the sunset or watch the stars at night. These all are self contained camping spots. I do have two very friendly dogs that will most likely come say hi to you. Dewey Beer is 1 mile away in Harbeson. Lewes beach is only about 10 minutes away and Rehoboth beach is about 20 minutes away. Sports at the beach is only 5 miles away. Tanger outlets is 8 miles away. Delaware Turf sports complex is 24 miles. There are many great restaurants and shopping nearby. Feel free to ask for recommendations!
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$35
 / night

Other options near Assateague Island National Seashore

Camping in Assateague Island National Seashore guide

Overview

About

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.

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

  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. 

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.
99%
114 ratings · 32 reviews
  1. Assateague Island National Seashore