Assateague Island National Seashore

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-25 to 2026-12-19; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 26,977 acres (10,917 ha).

Designation: National Seashore. Listed as "Assateague Island National Seashore" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Beaches scenic feature
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water

Events

• Horse Talk (MD)
• Visit the U.S. Lifesaving Service Boathouse Museum (MD)
• Bird Walk (VA)
• Guided Hike on the Marsh Trail (MD)
• Touch Tank Drop-In (MD)
• Bay Discovery (MD)
• Clamming Demonstration (MD)
• Crabbing Demonstration (MD)
• Touch Tank Program (MD)
• Kayak in the Bay at Old Ferry Landing (MD)
• Virginia District Beach Clean Up

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Pets are permitted in the Maryland portion of the National Seashore

Limits

All pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times

Park alert: OSV Status

10/18/26 MD OSV is CLOSED due to overwash. VA South OSV is closed. Beware of overwash conditions at high tides. The VA North OSV fishing mile is closed.

Getting there

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.

Weather & when to go

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.

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center — Open 7 days/week, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. — The Assateague 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.

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center — Open Friday - Monday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm As of October 13, 2026 — The Virginia District entrance is at the end of Route 175, two miles east of Chincoteague, VA. The Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center is located on the north side of Beach Road, set back in the woods. The parking lot is the second left turn after entering the refuge.

Visitor center

Maryland District Ranger Contact Station & Campground Office

Visitor center

Maryland District Ranger Contact Station & Campground Office

Facilities on the park map

6 bench, 1 changing table, 3 defibrillator, 3 first aid kit, 1 first aid station, 1 mobility rental, 1 picnic area, 10 restroom, 14 visitor information.

Where to stay

• Back Country Camping - Pope Bay Bay side back country campsite · 1 campsite · Accessibility: ll visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - State Line Back Country Camping; ocean side · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - Green Run Bayside back country site · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - Pine Tree Bay side back country campsite · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - Little Levels Back Country Camping, bayside · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - Tingles Island Bayside back country site · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Horse camping Horse campers must bring their own horses. Sites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and hitching posts. Sites are $80 per night. Maximum 6 people and 6 horses. Up to six vehicles or trailers. Reservations are required 10/16 - 4/14. · 2 campsites · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Oceanside Walk-in campground Tent only sites. Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $40 per night. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15. These sites are closed from November 16 through March 14. · 62 campsites · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Oceanside Drive-in Campground Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $40 per night. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15. Loop 1 sites are closed from November 16 through March 14. Loop 2 sites are First Come/First Serve from November 16 through March 14. · 16 campsites · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Oceanside Group Campground Organized clubs and affiliated groups must use group campsites. Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking area. Sites have multiple picnic tables and fire rings with grills. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15 and can be made up to six months in advance at $80 per night per site. 7 minimum - 25 maximum campers per site. Group sites are closed from Novem · 5 campsites · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Bayside Drive-in Campground Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $40 per night. No generators allowed in Loop B. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15, and are available for November 16 through March 14. · 22 campsites · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…