Maryland Assateague Island National Seashore map and highlights

Assateague  Island National Seashore guide. Detailed guide of Assateague Island  National Seashore In southeastern Maryland, near Ocean City.     

Assateague Island National Seashore in eastern Virginia, near Chineoteague; also in southeastern Maryland, near Ocean City.     

The 37-mi-long shoreline is one of the few protected and  undeveloped barrier islands on the East Coast. This dynamic seashore  environment provides refuge to wild horses, as well as abundant and  specialized flora, fauna, and marine life. It was authorized on  September 21, 1965.     

WHAT TO SEE & DO     

Bicycling (rentals in park), canoeing (rentals in park),  clamming, crabbing, fishing, hiking, hunting, off-road driving (permit  required, see below), swimming, viewing aquariums. Facilities: 3 visitor  centers: Barrier Island (Maryland district), Chincoteague National  Wildlife Refuge, and Tom's Cove (Virginia district). Beaches, guided and  self-guided tours, hiking trails. Bookstores, picnic tables with fire  grills. Programs & Events: Ranger-led shellfishing and surf fishing  demonstrations, beach walks, marsh walks, bay exploring, canoe trips  (reservations required, see below), campfire programs and night walks  (Easter-Oct.). Pony penning in Chincoteague, VA (last Wed. and Thurs.,  July). Tips & Hints: Bring insect repellent, screen tents,  sunscreen, and sand stakes. Proper food storage strictly enforced. Bike  and canoe rentals available June-Aug., daily; April, May, Sept., and  Oct., weekends. No roads connect north and south entrances to Assateague  Island. Busiest July and Aug., least crowded Jan. and Feb.      

FOOD, LODGING & SUPPLIES     

Camping: In the park: 153 sites scattered around the park  ($16-$20; portable toilets, cold showers; closed mid-Oct.-mid.-Apr). In  Berlin, MD: Assateague State Park (7307 Stephen Decatur Hwy, tel.  888/432-2267 reservations; 410/641-2918 camp office; 350 sites; $25-$35;  flush toilets, hook-ups). In Chincoteague: Maddox Family Campgrounds  (6742 Maddox Blvd., tel. 757/336-3111; 340 sites; $27-$33; flush  toilets, showers, hook-ups). IS Hotels: None in park. In Ocean City:  Dunes Manor Hotel (28th St. at the ocean, tel. 410/289-1100; 170 rooms;  $189-$325). In Berlin: Holland House (5 Bay St., tel. 410/641-1956; 6  rooms; $100-$125; no room phones, TV in common area, no kids under 15,  no smoking). X Restaurants: None in park. Concession stand at Maryland  State Park (May-Sept.). In Ocean City: Waterman's Seafood Co. (U.S. 50,  tel. 410/213-1020; $5-$8). 6 Groceries & Gear: None in park. In  Berlin, MD: Bucks Place (11848 Stephen Decatur Hwy, tel. 410/641-4177).  In West Ocean City: Food Lion (Rte. 611 off U.S. 50, tel. 410/213-0166).     

FEES, HOURS & REGULATIONS     

Entrance fee: $10 per vehicle (includes entry to wildlife  refuge in VA), $3 per person on foot or bicycle (MD). Ranger-led canoe  trips: $20 per canoe (reservations required in person at Barrier Island  Visitor Center). Backcountry camping permit ($5) required. Off Road  Vehicle Permit ($70 annual, restrictions apply) required. Hunting  permitted Sept-Jan., Maryland state hunting license ($45 for three days)  required. No stopping along park roads to view horses. No feeding or  touching wild horses. Leashed pets only in limited areas at Assateague;  no pets in Virginia areas. Maryland District: Seashore open daily.  Barrier Island Visitor Center open daily 9-5. Virginia District: Refuge  open Nov.-Mar, daily 6 am-6 pm; Apr. and Oct., daily 6 am-8 pm;  May-Sept., daily 5 am-10 pm. Visitor centers open daily 9-4.     

HOW TO GET THERE     

Offshore of Maryland and Virginia: Maryland district 8 mi south  of Ocean City via Rte. 611; Virginia district entrance at Chincoteague  via U.S. 13 and Rte. 175. Closest airport: Salisbury (40 mi west of  Ocean City, 45 mi northwest of Chincoteague, VA).     

CONTACTS     

Assateague Island National Seashore (7206 National Seashore  La., Berlin, MD 21811, tel. 410/641-1441 or 410/641-3030; 800/365-2267  camping reservations, fax 410/641-1099, www.nps.gov/asis). Ocean City  Visitors Bureau (4001 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD 21842, tel. 410/  289-8181 or 800/626-2326). Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce (Box 258,  Chincoteague, VA 23336, tel. 757/336-6161).   

Assateague Island National Seashore guide. Detailed guide of  Assateague Island National Seashore In southeastern Maryland, near Ocean  City