Visit Assateague National Park in Maryland and Virginia and camp while enjoying the surrounding nature. Get some exercise on the beach or by hiking through the the forest and then fall asleep under the stars with a beachfront campsite. Also, enjoy the rare opportunity to see wild horses in the United States. These horses are one of the park's main attractions.
Camping
Camp on the beach or in the backcountry at Assateague Island National Park. Camping is available from mid-April until mid-October; sites cost $16 per night. Each site includes a picnic table and a grill while showers and water are nearby. Backcountry camping is also available with a permit, which costs $5. Permits can be acquired from the ranger station or the visitors center in the park. Backcountry campers must set up their tents at one of the designated backcountry camp sites. Advanced reservations are not accepted, and permits are given on a first-come, first-served basis. No fresh water is available in the backcountry.
Hiking and Biking
Hike or cycle in the park on the beaches or through the forests. More than 37 miles of beach are available to explore. Use the pedestrian bridge to exit and enter the park, leading to miles of roadway. Trails on the Virginia side of the park extend up to Chincoteague, one of the other islands nearby. Four other paved trails also exist in the park.
Water Activities
Take a dip in the ocean or the bay depending on which side of the island you choose. You can also go to one of the designated launch sites, near the visitor center on the Virginia side, and enjoy a day on the water in a canoe or kayak. Boats can be rented from the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. Be aware that no lifeguards are on duty, so you paddle at your own risk.
When to Go
Camping is available from mid-April to mid-October, although the park is open year-round. Temperatures get as high as 84 degrees F on average during July and August. By October, temperatures can drop to an average low of 51 degrees F. Weather in April is slightly colder, with a low of 44 degrees on average and a high of 61. Mosquitoes are present during the late summer months as well and can become overwhelming. Heavy thunderstorms can hit the park suddenly. The park gets crowded in the summer months, so come early to make sure you get a camping spot.
Risks
Because weather changes so quickly, be prepared to find shelter immediately. Do not go into the water if you think it may storm.
Wild horses live in the park. Do not feed or pet them. Observe them from a distance. A fence prevents the horses from entering the beach. Close the fences behind you. If you see a horse on the beach, do not approach it. Keep all food sealed and stowed away in a car or hang it from a tree branch. Horses will tear your tent looking for food.
Bring plenty of water on any hike or bike ride.
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