Assateague Island National Seashore Custom Search Three agencies administer Assateague, a windswept barrier island that offers many opportunities for seashore recreation and nature study along its thirty-seven miles. Ocean swimming, camping, bayside canoeing, crabbing, clamming, hunting, surf fishing, and off-road vehicle use are all popular. The famous wild horses roam throughout and share beach to bay habitats with a host of other animals, including over 300 species of birds. Assateague Island became part of the National Park System in 1965. The park's land and water boundaries encompass over 48,000 acres in the states of Maryland and Virginia.    CONTACTS Email - christopher_seymour@nps.gov Write to 7206 National Seashore Lane Berlin, MD 21811 - or - PO Box 38 8586 Beach Rd Chincoteague, VA 23336 Phone Visitor Information - 410-641-1441 Visitor Information - 757-336-6577 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Maryland District - open year round, 24 hours a day. Barrier Island Visitor Center open 9 am - 5 pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Virginia District - January-March: 6 am - 6 pm. April: 6 am - 8 pm. May-September: 5 am - 10 pm. October: 6 am - 8 pm. November-December: 6 am - 6 pm. Visitor centers open 9 am - 4 pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Getting There PLANE - The closest airports are Ocean City Municipal Airport (410-213-2471) and Salisbury-Wicomico County Regional Airport (410-548-4827). CAR - There are two entrances to Assateague Island National Seashore. Assateague's north entrance is at the end of Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City, MD. The south entrance is at the end of Route 175, two miles from Chincoteague, VA. There is no vehicle access between the two entrances on Assateague Island. Vehicles must return to the mainland to access either the north or south entrance. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - No public transportation available. Weather & Climate Summers are generally hot and humid. Mosquitos and ticks are abundant from spring through autumn. Insect repellent and/or protective clothing is recommended. Rarely snows in the winter but often a damp cold. Sturdy hiking shoes recommended for long walks in the sand and hard sole water shoes for wading in bay waters. Accessibility All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. The seashore has established two accessible campsites which may be reserved. Beach wheelchairs with balloon tires are available for use on the oceanside beaches in Maryland and Virginia. Getting Around In Maryland, four miles of paved roads include an adjacent bike path. 'Life of Assateague' self-guided trails interpret three different barrier island habitats. In Virginia, five miles of paved roads include a bike path and fifteen miles of trails wind through refuge marshes and forests, including a path to the Assateague lighthouse. Hikers can enjoy miles of beaches on both the Maryland and Virginia sides of the island. CAMPING Assateague Island National Seashore Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP Open All Year Visitors to the Maryland district of Assateague Island may enjoy a variety of camping opportunities. The National Park Service provides year round camping in oceanside and bayside campgrounds. These campgrounds are first-come, first-served from October 16 through April 14. Reservations are recommended April 15 through October 15. For backcountry camping enthusiasts, two oceanside and four bayside sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis for visitors who wish to backpack or paddle the island. A backcountry permit is required and is only issued during business hours. There is no camping in the Virginia District of Assateague Island. National Seashore camping information may be mailed upon request. Obtain a detailed brochure by calling (410) 641-3030. For More Information on this campground please call 1-410-641-3030 FACILITIES Ranger Stations SINEPUXENT DISTRICT RANGER STATION/CAMPGROUND OFFICE Open All Year Phone - (410) 641-3030 Location - Located in the Maryland District of Assateague Island on east side of Bayberry Drive, after the entrance station. Available Facilities - Offers campground information and registration, backcountry camping permits, hunting information and off-road vehicle permits. Visitor Centers BARRIER ISLAND Open All Year 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Phone - (410) 641-1441 Location - The Barrier Island Visitor Center is located in the Maryland District of Assateague Island on the southern side of Route 611, before the Verrazzano Bridge entrance into the park. Closures - Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Special Programs - Regularly scheduled park activities are available seasonally. Education programs for schools are given throughout the year. Information is available upon request. Exhibits - The Barrier Island Visitor Center features beachcombing exhibits, educational brochures, nature films, a marine aquarium and touch tank. Available Facilities - A cooperating association bookstore, lost and found, emergency services and restrooms are available. CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Open All Year 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Phone - (757) 336-6122 Location - The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located in the Virginia District of Assateague Island, on the north side of Beach Road, just after the entrance station. Closures - The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is closed on New Year's and Christmas days. Special Programs - Regularly scheduled refuge activities are available seasonally. Education programs for schools are given in the spring. Information is available upon request. Exhibits - The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center features, educational exhibits and brochures, and nature films. Available Facilities - A cooperating association bookstore, lost and found, emergency services and restrooms are available. TOMS COVE Open All Year Winter 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Summer 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Spring & Fall 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Phone - 1-757-336-6577 Location - The Toms Cove Visitor Center is located on the south side of Beach Road, prior to the beach parking areas. Closures - Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Special Programs - Regularly scheduled park activities are available seasonally. Education programs for schools are given spring and fall. Information is available upon request. Exhibits - The Toms Cove Visitor Center features beachcombing exhibits, educational brochures, a marine aquarium and touch tank. Available Facilities - A bookstore, lost and found, emergency services and permits (overnight fishing, off-road vehicle, campfire) are available.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Assateague Island National Seashore.   Campgrounds Near Assateague Island National Seashore: Campers Ranch, Chincoteague Island, 1 miles away Toms Cove Park, Chincoteague Island, 1 miles away Maddox Family Campground, Chincoteague Island, 2 miles away Pine Grove Campground, Chincoteague Island, 2 miles away Pine Grove Campground and Waterfowl Park, Chincoteague, 2 miles away The Woods At Inlet View, Chincoteague, 3 miles away Pine Grove, Chincoteague, 3 miles away   Marinas Near Assateague Island National Seashore: Snug Harbor Marina, Chincoteague , 1 miles away   Hotels Near Assateague Island National Seashore: Marina Bay Hotel & Suites, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member, Chincoteague , 0 miles away Fairfield Inn & Suites Chincoteague Island, Chincoteague , 0 miles away Waterside Inn, Chincoteague , 0 miles away Birchwood Motel Chincoteague, Chincoteague , 0 miles away Comfort Suites Chincoteague, Chincoteague , 1 miles away Lighthouse Inn, Chincoteague , 1 miles away Americas Best Value Inn, Chincoteague , 1 miles away   Trails Near Assateague Island National Seashore: Ragged Point Trail, Accomack County , 8 miles away   Beaches Near Assateague Island National Seashore: Bow Beach, Accomack County , 5 miles away Wallops Beach, Accomack County , 7 miles away Gargathy Beach, Accomack County , 14 miles away   Public Lands Near Assateague Island National Seashore: Pocomoke State Forest, Maryland , 14 miles away Pocomoke River State Park, Maryland , 14 miles away Assateague State Park, Maryland , 24 miles away Trap Pond State Park, Delaware , 33 miles away   Golf Courses Near Assateague Island National Seashore: Captain's Cove 1 Golf Course, Greenbackville , 4 miles away Nassawango Golf Course, Snow Hill , 13 miles away Nassawango Country Club, Snow Hill , 14 miles away Winter Quarters Golf Course, Pocomoke City , 15 miles away