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Assateague Island National Seashore

Designation: National Seashore

Location: Maryland, Virginia

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays. Rest, relax, recreate and enjoy some time on the edge of the continent.

🌤 Weather Information

Spring: Often windy and cool with lows in the 40's and highs in the 60's. Summer: Hot and humid with lows in the 60's and highs in the 80's. Fall: Warm with lows in the 50's and highs in the 70's. Winter: Damp cold and often windy. Lows in the 20's, highs in the 40's.

🚗 Directions

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 east of 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.

Images

Wild horses on the dunes at Assateague

There are few places in the United States where you can view wild horses.Take advantage of the opportunity to view these horses in a natural habitat.

Credit: NPS Photo

Wild horses in the salt marshes on Assateague Island

Assateague's wild horses can often be found grazing in salt marshes.

Credit: NPS Photo

Tree Swallows migrating along the beach at Assateague

Enormous flocks of migrating tree swallows stop and rest on Assateague beaches in the fall.

Credit: NPS Photo

tents and vehicle in the oceanside campground dunes

Tent camping in the Oceanside campground at Assateague is a great way to relax and recreate at the beach.

Credit: NPS Photo

waves on Assateague beach with people fishing in the background

Visit the shifting sands at the water's edge where thousands of waves change the beach every day.

Credit: NPS Photo

Wild horses on the dunes at Assateague

There are few places in the United States where you can view wild horses.Take advantage of the opportunity to view these horses in a natural habitat.

Credit: NPS Photo

Wild horses in the salt marshes on Assateague Island

Assateague's wild horses can often be found grazing in salt marshes.

Credit: NPS Photo

Tree Swallows migrating along the beach at Assateague

Enormous flocks of migrating tree swallows stop and rest on Assateague beaches in the fall.

Credit: NPS Photo

tents and vehicle in the oceanside campground dunes

Tent camping in the Oceanside campground at Assateague is a great way to relax and recreate at the beach.

Credit: NPS Photo

waves on Assateague beach with people fishing in the background

Visit the shifting sands at the water's edge where thousands of waves change the beach every day.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
Assateague 7 day vehicle pass.
$25.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Assateague 7 day motorcycle pass.
$20.00
Entrance - Per Person
Assateague per person walk-in or bicycle
$0.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
The Assateague Island National Seashore Annual Park Entrance Pass is $45.00. It is valid in both the Maryland District and Virginia District (Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge).
$45.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Nov 4

Sunny

Sunny

High: 65.1°F | Low: 43°F

Humidity: 58%

Wind: 16.3 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.7

Sunrise: 06:31 AM

Sunset: 04:59 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (96%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 44.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Nov 5

Sunny

Sunny

High: 69.3°F | Low: 49.6°F

Humidity: 55%

Wind: 20.4 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.7

Sunrise: 06:32 AM

Sunset: 04:58 PM

Moon: Full Moon (99%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 49.1°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Nov 6

Sunny

Sunny

High: 60.8°F | Low: 47.9°F

Humidity: 57%

Wind: 19.7 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.7

Sunrise: 06:33 AM

Sunset: 04:57 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (100%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 47.6°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Tropical Storm Hermine - Advisory 1 Danger
Closures for 9-3-16 MD District: all campgrounds and backcountry camping will close by 11 am. OSV is currently closed. VA District: visitor centers and OSV will be closed. There will be no lifeguards on duty in either district.

More Info

VA North OSV Closure Park Closure
The Virginia North OSV zone is closed due to road construction & will remain closed until construction is completed. For more information regarding this project please visit Beach Relocation and Habitat Restoration Projects | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

More Info

Assateague Island National Seashore Campground Reopenings Information
3-11-16 - Oceanside Drive-In Loop 1 is open to camping. Cool water showers available on April 15th. Oceanside Walk-In campground open on April 15. All backcountry campsites are closed as of 5-7-16.

More Info

Partial Closures Information
9-11-16 Park: Open w/partial closures. Visitor Centers open. MD: OSV open to state line. Campgrounds and backcountry camping open. Lifeguarded beach open. VA: Parking Lot #1, #2 & #3 - Open. VA OSV & Lifeguarded beach open.

More Info

Oceanside Beaches & OSV Closures Park Closure
8-25-25 Update, due to the effects from Hurricane Erin ALL Oceanside Beaches (including the Assateague Island State Park Beach) are closed to swimming due to extreme Rip Current conditions & high surf. ALL OSV zones (MD & VA) are closed due to overwash.
Assateague Island National Seashore Reopens More Facilities
10/14/15 - Assateague Island National Seashore is reopening more of its facilities in both the Maryland and Virginia districts after the recent coastal storms...

More Info

Virginia District - Closure for NASA Launch Information
10-16-16 - Refuge will close at 5:30 pm on Monday, 10-17-16. If launch is rescheduled, refuge will close at 5:30 pm for Tuesday launch and at 5:00 pm for Wednesday launch.

More Info

Recreational Beach Access in VA District as of 8/22/25 Park Closure
All visitor amenities at the Virginia recreational beach are closed. This includes parking lots, beach access and Toms Cove Visitor Center. Damage to the parking areas is currently being assessed and closures will remain in place until further notice.
Virginia District - Service Road Closure Information
7-22-16 - The Service Road will be CLOSED on Monday, July 25th to ALL access (including North OSV zone, D Dyke bicycle access, and foot traffic) until the conclusion of the Sunrise Pony Walk.

More Info

Maryland OSV Information
April 17, 2016 - The MD OSV zone is closed due to unexpected higher than normal high tides.
Swimming Advisory (MD and VA District) - Strong Surf Caution
8-29-16 - Caution! We are experiencing strong surf. Swim in the lifeguarded area. Wear a life jacket. Visit the link below for water safety info.

More Info

OSV Closures Park Closure
8-25-25 Update, due to the effects from Hurricane Erin ALL OSV zones (MD & VA) are closed due to overwash.
Virginia District Hunting Will Open Saturday, October 1, 2016 Caution
Hunting season opened Saturday, October 1, 2016 in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Please obey all posted closures.

More Info

Maryland District Visitor Center Schedule Change
The Maryland District Visitor Center will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in January and February of 2016. It will be open Thursdays-Mondays from 9 am - 5 pm. The Contact Station/Campground Office on the island will be open daily, 9 am - 5 pm.
National Seashore open on limited basis
MD district is open 7 am-6 pm on 11/3. All campgrounds are closed. State park in MD is open for day use. The pedestrian/cycling bridge is closed due to structural issues. VA district closed until further notice. Chincoteague Refuge open on limited basis.
Virginia District- Spring Pony Roundup Accessibility Information
For information on viewing and accessibility of the Spring Pony Round up April 7-8, 2017 please visit the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge home page.

More Info

January 8 Winter Storm Closures Park Closure
1/8/17-Assateague Island Visitor Center and the Visitor Contact station in the MD district will be closed. Toms Cove Visitor Center in the VA district will be closed.
Bayside Backcountry Camping Fire Ban Caution
11-21-16 Based on recent fire danger predictions and high winds, campfires are prohibited in only the bayside backcountry campsites through Tuesday, 11-22-16. Bonfires on the beach and campfires in developed area campgrounds are not restricted.
Maryland District - OSV Status Information
1-24-17 Maryland District OSV is currently closed due to overwash. For updates, join the public Facebook page "Assateague MD OSV Closures"; updates are issued from the field.
New Fees Schedule Implemented
As of July 15th, 2015 a new fee schedule has been implemented. Entrance & camping fees in Maryland have changed. Kayaking fees in Maryland & Virginia have changed.

More Info

No Lifeguards on Duty - MD & VA Districts Caution
Currently no lifeguards on Assateague Island National Seashore Beaches in MD & VA. Beaches are open for swimming. Be aware of rip currents & plunging surf.

More Info

Assateague Island National Seashore Sequestration Update
As of 3/1/13 both the MD & VA Districts are open. Assateague Island Visitor Center open daily from 9 am-5 pm. Toms Cove Visitor Center open daily from 9 am-4 pm.
Assateague Island Opens with Limited Access - Updated 11/07/12
MD District is open from 7am-5pm. OSV zone closed due to overwash. All campgrounds are closed. MD pedestrian/cycling bridge is closed due to structural issues. Chincoteague Refuge open 9am-4pm with limited access.
Virginia District - Swimming Advisory for Seaward Currents Caution
7-1-16 - Caution! We are experiencing a high number of seaward currents in the ocean adjacent to the beach parking lots in the Virginia District. Swim in the lifeguarded area. Wear a lifejacket. Visit the link below for water safety info.

More Info

No Lifeguards on Duty - MD & VA Districts Caution
Currently no lifeguards on Assateague Island National Seashore Beaches in MD & VA. Beaches are open for swimming. Be aware of rip currents & plunging surf.

More Info

WW II Era Ordnance Discovered on Assateague Island
A section of North Ocean Beach is temporarily closed due to the presence of WW II era ordnance.

More Info

Virginia District - Beach Parking Lots Open Information
05-20-16 - All beach parking lots are now open.

Park Events

Ranger-Guided Bird Walk and BioBlitz
Special Event Alert! We’re throwing a birthday party for ourselves – and you’re invited! Celebrate Assateague Island National Seashore’s 60th Birthday by joining a special ranger-guided bird walk on Sunday, September 21st. Meet rangers at the Life of the Forest trailhead in the Maryland District of the park at 8:00am and enjoy a 2-hour, 0.5 mile walk through the forest and marsh looking for woodland, shorebirds, and wading birds. The Life of the Forest trail provides an excellent opportunity to view a variety of the resident birds, as well as those who are migrating south for the winter. A limited number of binoculars, field guides, and a bird viewing scope will be available for participants to use. This bird walk is perfect for beginner to advanced birders of all ages.

Location: Meet at the trailhead to the Life of the Forest Trail

Date: Sep 21, 2025 12:00am to Sep 21, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

2025 BioBlitz - Assateague Island National Seashore
Celebrate Assateague Island National Seashore’s Birthday and National Public Lands Day with us! Participate in our week-long iNaturalist BioBlitz, September 21st – 27th, identifying as many species within the park as possible. Enjoy one of our trails, walk the beach, or explore the marsh; there’s thousands of species to observe. Snap photos of any plant, animal, insect, mushroom, or other living creature on Assateague Island and log your observation using the iNaturalist app. You’re helping contribute to a larger biodiversity database for the National Seashore by participating! A limited number of special programs will be offered in both districts of the park dedicated to this project as well. No sign-up required, just get out there and ID! All species identified within the park during this event will be added to our 2025 BioBlitz project and results will be published after the event concludes. As cell service is limited on the island, it is recommended to download the iNaturalist app and create an account prior to arriving to the park.

Location: Anywhere on Assateague Island

Date: Sep 21, 2025 12:00am to Sep 27, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 21811

🏤 Mailing Address:
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 21811

📞 Voice Phone: 4106411441

📞 Fax Phone: 4106411099

✉️ Email: asis_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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