"Salt marsh on Toms Cove" by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
![]() | Plan Your VisitPlanning Your Visit |
Brochure for Planning Your Visit of Assateague Island National Seashore (NS) in Maryland and Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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Assateague Island National Seashore
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Planning Your Visit
Something for Everyone
Assateague offers opportunities to experience wilderness solitude, nature
exploration and wildlife viewing. For more information:
• Assateague Island Visitor Center, mailing address: 7206 National Seashore
Lane, Berlin, MD 21811, (410) 641-1441 (press 1), GPS address: 11800
Marsh View Lane, Berlin, MD 21811
• Toms Cove Visitor Center, 8586 Beach Road, Chincoteague, VA 23336,
(410) 641-1441 (press 2)
• www.nps.gov/asis
Maryland District
Camping
National Seashore campgrounds and offices are open year round.
• www.nps.gov/asis/camping.htm or (410) 641-1441 (press 3)
Reservations are recommended March 15 - November 15 and sites are $30 per
night. November 16 - March 14 sites are first come first served and $30 per night.
Organizations may reserve group campsites year round for $50 per night.
Equestrian campsites are available by reservation October 16 - April 14.
• www.recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777 for reservations
Backcountry Camping
Hike-in sites and paddle-in sites are available on a first come first serve basis. A
backcountry camping permit ($10 per person, age 16 years and older, valid for up
to 7 days) is required and several restrictions apply.
• www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm or
(410) 641-1441 (press 3)
Area Campgrounds
Assateague State Park, open April-October, (410) 641-2120 or (410) 641-2918
• www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/assateague.asp
Private
• www.gocampingamerica.com
Area Lodging
Ocean City Chamber of Commerce
• www.oceancity.org or (888)-OCMD-FUN
Worcester County, Maryland tourism office
• www.visitworcester.org or (800) 852-0335
Virginia District
National Park Service
The National Park Service assists the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in managing
recreation and education in the Toms Cove portion of Assateague Island.
• www.nps.gov/asis or (410) 641-1441 (press 2)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Nearly all of the land area of the Virginia portion of Assateague Island is managed
as a National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is open year round.
• www.fws.gov/northeast/chinco or (757) 336-6122
Chincoteague, Virginia
Located near Assateague Island, Chincoteague offers shopping, restaurants,
camping and lodging.
• www.chincoteaguechamber.com or (757) 336-6161
• www.chincoteague.com
For Your Information
In the Virginia portion of Assateague Island:
• Pets are prohibited even in your car.
• There is no camping. Accommodations are available in nearby
Chincoteague, VA.
Wildlife
Your actions have consequences long after you leave. Feeding or touching
wildlife is illegal. Respect all wildlife and observe from a distance. Assateague’s
horses are special because they are wild. Assateague Island is an oasis of habitat in
this world of ever-shrinking natural places. Your decisions and actions will make
the difference in protecting this special place.
Pets
Pets are permitted only in specific areas of the Maryland portion of the National
Seashore. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times! Please pick up after your pet.
Pets are prohibited in the following areas to protect wildlife, habitat and visitors:
• The entire Virginia portion of Assateague Island
• All backcountry campsites
• Nature trails
• Lifeguard-protected beach
• Portions of Assateague State Park
• North of the State Park to the Ocean City inlet
Entrance Fees and Permits
All passes and permits are valid at both Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland and Chincoteague
National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia.
Type of pass
Where valid
Where to purchase
cost
Assateague 7 day motorcycle pass
In MD and VA
MD
$15
Assateague 7 day vehicle pass
In MD and VA
MD
$20
Assateague Annual Entrance Pass
In MD and VA
MD
$40
Interagency Annual Pass
Federal recreation lands
MD and VA
$80
Interagency Senior Pass
Federal recreation lands
MD and VA
$80 life
$20 year
Interagency Access Pass
Federal recreation lands
MD and VA
Free
Interagency Military Pass
Federal recreation lands
MD and VA
Free
Chincoteague NWR 7 day pass
In VA and MD
VA
$20
Chincoteague NWR Annual Pass
In VA and MD
VA
$40
Over Sand Permits
When valid
Where to purchase
cost
VA Only Oversand Vehicle Day Use
Permit
1 year from purchase, Refuge
hours, No summer access
MD and VA
$70
Island-wide (MD & VA) Oversand
Vehicle Day Use Permit
1 year from purchase
5 AM – Midnight (MD only)
MD and VA
$90
Overnight Oversand Vehicle Permit
Must be awake/no camping
1 year from purchase
24hrs/day except in Refuge
MD and VA
$110
(valid1 year from purchase)
(valid1 year from purchase)
(U.S. citizens 62 yrs & older, valid 1 year or lifetime)
(U.S. citizens w/permanent disability, valid for lifetime)
(valid1 year from purchase)
(valid1 year from purchase)
(Includes Island-wide Day Use)
1 year from purchase
MD
$150
24hrs/day except in Refuge
For more information and regulations contact the Maryland District Ranger
Station at (410) 641-1441 (press 3), the Toms Cove Visitor Center in Virginia at
(410) 641-1441 (press 2) or visit www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/osv.htm.
Bull Pen Overnight Parking Permit
(Includes Island-wide Day Use and Overnight)
Over Sand Vehicle Use
Experience Your America