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Plan a Road Trip > Explore America > National Parks > Assateague Island National Seashore |
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7206 National Seashore Ln, Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: 410-641-1441 or 410-641-3030
Fax: 410 641-1099
Open All Year
Overview. Famous for its herds of wild ponies, Assateague Island stretches for 37 wind-raked miles between the Atlantic Ocean and Maryland's and Virginia's Eastern Shore. Native Americans first populated this 6,000-year old ever-shifting sand island. After European settlers wrested the land away from the Algonquins, they used the island as a livestock grazing ground. Legend says the wild ponies swam onto the island from a sinking Spanish galleon, but they most likely were the property of English settlers. Pony penning has been a festive tradition since the 18th-century, and now during July a similar celebration takes place.
Despite the island's popularity with tourists and local day-trippers, it remains a valuable ecosystem preserving the habitats of many species. South of the Virginia state line, the island is designated as the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Some sections of the National Seashore are periodically closed to the public to protect nesting birds, especially the piping plover. Since the seashore was established in 1965, the island's varied resources have satisfied migrating birds, resident sika elk, and human visitors seeking respite by spending a day or two clamming, canoeing, or hiking.
What to see and do. On your way over to the island, stop at the Barrier Island Visitor Center. Here you can walk through exhibits and see an audiovisual program about the island's history and current uses. A balloon-tire beach wheelchair is available. Rangers can help you plan activities such as bird-watching, biking, or camping. Ask about guided island tours, audio cassette tours, and informative ranger lectures. If ecology interests you, pick up a copy of The Life of Assateague.This booklet guides you through the three nature trails located on the north end of the island. From the parking lot, you can easily walk to the three trails or find your way to the beach. Each trail, about a half-mile long, introduces you to the three distinct ecosystems characterizing Assateague: salt marsh/meadow, woodland, and dune. Most trails are wheelchair-accessible, as are the visitor center and two campsites, which you may reserve. When on the woodland walk, look for the loblolly pines and numerous deer. You may even spot a sika elk, a species imported from Asia earlier in this century.
If you'd like a longer hike, head for the beaches. Bikers are encouraged to stay on paved roads rather than flounder in the sand. Along the shore, you may want to search for seashells, or on the bayside catch a dinner of clams or crabs. Check with a ranger for the individual seasons governing the harvest of these creatures. Surf anglers will find the waters challenging, and canoers will enjoy exploring Chincoteague Bay. On the other side of the island, a 13-mile off-road zone on the beach is open to visitors with four-wheel-drive vehicles. In order to see the island this way, you must register in advance and pay a fee; certain equipment must be in the vehicle. Hunting is also permitted, but you must pay the off-road fee and check with rangers about specific seasons.
Exploring the island is encouraged, but the dunes are clearly marked as off limits. Dunes are extremely fragile, and even one person can unwittingly destroy years of natural work. As you move about the island, you'll not miss the famous ponies. They move in groups, munching their favorite salt marsh cordgrass and your food, too, if you're not careful. Rangers strongly urge visitors not to go near the ponies or tempt them with food. They may appear friendly and tame, but they are still sometimes-dangerous wild animals.
Because Assateague is on the Atlantic Flyway and boasts several favorable ecosystems, it's prime bird-watching territory. During the fall and spring migratory seasons, you're sure to spot herons and ibises, among others, while during nesting season oystercatchers, clapper rails, and many other species fill the marshes, coastal areas, and woodlands. Two campgrounds, one oceanside and one bayside, invite overnight stays. At nearby beaches, summertime lifeguards ensure safe swims, and separate areas are set aside for surfers. On your second day, you could consider driving south on the mainland to the Chincoteague crossing. In the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, you'll spot even more birds and get a chance to observe nature up close along several longer self-guided nature trails. Stop by the Chincoteague Refuge or Toms Cove Visitor Centers for information about ranger-led tours and programs.
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Beach |
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Bicycle Trails |
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Bird Watching |
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Fishing |
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Gift Shop |
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Guided Tours |
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Hiking/Nature Trails |
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Motor Boating |
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Museum/Exhibits |
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Non-motor Boating |
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Picnic Sites |
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Programs/Talks |
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Self-guided Tours |
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Swimming |
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Visitor Center |
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Wildlife Viewing |
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