The first thing that comes to mind when hearing about Assateague is an island of wild horses and miles of preserved sand dunes. However, it offers much more than that. Around 3.2 million people visit the island annually for boating, camping, riding OSVs, and watching birds, fishes, horses, crabs, and other exotic animals. A tour to Assateague Island is a lifetime experience!

After spending a few days at this haven of exotic animals, lush green marshes, and creamy dunes, I can safely say that I saw nature at its best in Assateague. Hence, if you are planning to visit the island this summer, you won’t regret this trip unless, obviously, a mare steals your food or you accidentally step on horse poop. In this article, I will share everything you need to know about the Assateague Island before visiting!

Assateague Island: A Tourist Guide

Horses everywhere! Assateague is a 37-mile-long island stretching along the Virginia and Maryland coasts. As the Island falls into two districts, it is looked after by authorities from both. The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages the Virginian region as the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. On the other hand, 2 miles of the island in Maryland is managed by the Maryland state as the Assateague State Park. The National Park Service manages the remaining island, the Assateague Island National Seashore. Quite a complex division, no?

When planning your visit, many aspects need to be considered. Some of these include your place of stay, the activities you would do, and where you can eat. I will be talking about most of them, so stay hooked till the end if you want to make the most out of your vacation.

Accommodation Options: Where can you stay on the Assateague Island?

There are two main places of accommodation at the Assateague: camps, private rentals, and hotels.

Camping at the Assateague Island

I loved camping as it was the best way to experience nature closely. I recommend camp on the Assateague Island if you have a similar mindset.

However, there are a few important things that you must know before you visit the Assateague Island for camping. Firstly, camping is only allowed for registered campers. Additionally, it is only permitted in the Maryland District. The registration process is not too hard. You can visit the official website to make your registration in advance. To learn more about camping at Assateague Island, visit the National Park Service’s detailed article.

Nearby Hotels and Resorts

The second option is to book a room in a nearby hotel or resort. There are plenty of options available, suiting different budgets. You may visit Trip Advisor to find the perfect place for your stay.

What is the best time to Visit Assateague Island?

Ideal Weather

Assateague Island generally has a cooler and windier climate than the nearby mainland, which means you will likely be greeted by pleasant weather. Summers can get warm, making May through September the ideal weather to visit the Assateague. All park facilities are open during this time.

However, ensure you are ready to face decent traffic on Assateague. If you prefer smaller crowds, you may visit on weekdays.

What time is the Assateague State Park Open?

The Assateague State Park is open all seven days of the week from 9 am to 4 pm as of July 2024. However, it remains closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. For the latest information, you should consult their official page.

Best Things to Do at the Assateague Island

Many attractions are on the beach and nearby places in Maryland and Chincoteague. Here is a list of fun things to do in Assateague and Chincoteague to have the best trip ever.

The amount of fun you can have depends on whether you will be camping or not. If camping is on your bucket list, see Camping in Assateague Island guide.

1. Kayaking Along the Island

For about 80 dollars per person, my siblings and I had a great kayaking experience. The guides were very knowledgeable, and I love learning new things. We also got a chance to get close to that beautiful horse without disrupting their personal businesses. All in all, you must not miss the kayaking experience at Assateague.

2. Photographing the Wild horses Swimming

Watching sunkissed wild ponies taking a gentle stroll through the waves was something I had never seen before. Therefore, I captured this and took the memory home with me. Apart from the horses, click many good photos of yourself. Read more about the wild horses of the Assateague and their origin.

3. Go for a Boating Tour or Wildlife Cruise

If kayaking is a bit scary for you, hop into a boat or take a cruise around the island to do birdwatching and spot wildlife land animals like deer and ponies. There are many bird varieties on the island. These include doves, gulls, larks, and rails. You would be fascinated!

4. Go to the Assateague Island Visitor Center

The Assateague Island Visitor Center is close to the main beach and is a great place to kill some time. This place has a cute gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. They also offer an entire map of the place and even display movies on the history of Assateague Island and the horses.

5. See the Tom Cove’s Visitor’s Center

This park is gorgeous and offers peace compared to the ocean city. You will find some great breakfast and coffee. It also has a gift shop where you can buy some stuff. In addition, my younger siblings loved to see sea animals’ skulls. As far as I remember, there were whalebones, dolphin skeletons, and other artifacts. I also touched a whale’s vertebra.

Where to Eat on the Assateague Island?

I will answer this question in detail in another blog post. But, for now, one of the restaurants I can not forget is the Crusty Crab Seafood Shack. You must visit this for the best seafood in this region.

There are many other options for breakfast and dining. I would soon write a blog post on the best eateries near Assateague.

Additional Tips for ensuring a smooth Trip

• Be prepared! There are horses and deer everywhere. Remember that these wild animals will steal your food if you don’t protect it. If you are camping at the Assateague Island, I highly suggest keeping your utensils and food inside your camp or minivan.
• Keep a bug spray and insect repellent. All thanks to horse poop, Assateague is full of bugs, and I am sure that many of us would prefer a bug-free vacation. Know more about bugs on Assateague Island.
• Check local weather conditions before your visit. Assateague can get a little windy during some seasons.
• The horses bite. Make sure not to get too close to those guys and disturb them.
• Do not litter and try to leave the natural beauty of this place as it is. Assateague is one of the very few preserved beachy landscapes. It’s famous for its natural beauty, so don’t lessen it for the tiniest bit.

If you wish to visit more beaches in Virginia, here is a list of 12 Best Beaches in Virginia. We also have a detailed blog post reviewing everything one needs to know about Sandbridge Beach.