A ssateague Island National Seashore, stretching 37 miles from Virginia into Maryland is one of the world's best beaches for communing with nature. All campsites include access to cold-water showers, chemical toilets, and drinking water. Assateague Island is a 37-mile (60 km) long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the Delmarva Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. Like most activities in the parks, check with rangers for any current closures or updates for surf, swells and currents and check out our Beach Safety page for more information. Camping on Assateague Island is only allowed in Maryland therefore access to the campgrounds is only available from the North via Route 611. Either way, they are beautiful and wild — a rarity in today’s heavily developed world. The northern portion of Assateague Island is in Maryland, the southern portion is in Virginia. Accessed December 3, 2010. Wild for Horses on Assateague Island There are many reasons people journey from all around to reach Assateague Island. With miles of beaches, bike paths, and and acres of undeveloped natural habitats, Assateague is a wonderful place to spend a day or whole vacation with. I've always wanted to go to Assateague Island and since it was so close we decided to take the drive. Kenney, Nathaniel T. "Watermen's Island Home". All of the land on the island north of the Maryland-Virginia state line is the Assateague Island National Seashore, with the exception of the smaller Assateague State Park. Here you'll find windswept beaches, maritime forest, coastal bay waters and nature at its best on one of America's last fully functioning barrier island … There are several independent guiding companies that run horseback tours of the island. Nature trails … Assateague Island Tours are the ONLY authorized business to provide guided tours to Assateague Island and onto the OSV. Assateague State Park is Maryland's only oceanfront park. I've been to both sides of Assateague. Assateague Island, VA, protected by the Assateague Island National Seashore and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, is the ideal place for swimming, birding, hiking, and biking. [12] Backcountry sites are also available from the National Seashore. Va. 175 crosses several miles of salt marshes and the Chincoteague Channel before crossing a new bridge onto the island at the intersection of Main Street, which runs north-south along the western shore, and Maddox Boulevard, which heads east to Assateague Island. There is parking at both the national and state parks, close to the visitor centers. A trip to Assateague is not only fun, it is highly recommended as one of the most beautiful and interesting things you can plan while visiting Ocean City, Berlin or any of the surrounding areas. Though commonly called "wild," these horses had domesticated ancestors, claimed in legend to be survivors of a Spanish galleon that shipwrecked along the coast, but possibly just local colonial horses allowed to run loose. Sitka deer are the second largest animal on the island and are readily seen throughout the wetlands and marsh grasses on the edges of the island. In addition to camping, fishing, and beach-going, there are a myriad of activities run by the Assateague park systems and their vendors to keep all guests well entertained and in awe during a visit. Last edited on 23 November 2020, at 21:12, Mackintosh, Barry. Because of this, there are very strict rules on Assateague regarding food and camping. Kayak touring is a popular way to see the wildlife, especially on the calmer bay side. Things to Do. You can also bring your own horse for day riding. Keep an especially keen eye out for these critters along the Wildlife Loop. Ocean City, Maryland is visible in the far distance at top. Chincoteague is a small town on the Virginia Eastern Shore and the gateway to the Virginia portion of Assateague Island. [11] Car camping sites are available in both the National Seashore and Assateague State Park by reservation. Avid birders are able to nick-off up to 200 different birds that frequent the island. While the raccoons are cute and will beg, never feed them as this makes them used to human contact and turns them into pests around the camping areas. The equines on the island tend to be under 14.2, but have a horse phenotype. Their private tours operate seven days a week year-round, providing round trip transportation to Assateague Island. Make sure to lock up the vehicles and do not leave anything valuable in sight. View is to the north. In 1962, a storm destroyed most of the existing buildings in the development and damaged most of the road or left it buried in sand. Group Campsites can be reserved up to six months in advance year-round. The Verrazano Bridge in Maryland is a bridge on Maryland Route 611 over Sinepuxent Bay that connects Assateague Island to the mainland.. The Maryland horses are owned and managed by the NPS, who have carefully followed the population over generations. By this time, Maryland supported the idea of creating a national seashore and introduced new legislation to protect the island and prevent the redevelopment, which was passed in 1964 and created the Assateague Island National Seashore. The distance between Norfolk and Assateague Island National Seashore is 102 miles. The Assateague Island Visitor’s Center is located on the south side (right hand side as you approach the ocean) of Route 611 just before you get to the Verrazzano Bridge. The Virginia section contains Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and a one-mile stretch of land containing the lifeguarded recreational beach and interpretive facilities managed by the National Park Service (or NPS). Chincoteague Island, Virginia is where the pony watching nature cruise and kayak tour depart from. [2] It is best known for its herds of feral horses, pristine beaches and the Assateague Lighthouse. [5] At one time, the island was connected to the lowest point of Fenwick Island. The National Park Service allows off-road vehicles with permits in certain areas. Maddox Boulevard is Chincoteague's prime commercial strip, with an abundance of shops, restaurants, and … There is a fence along the island that separates the Maryland side of the island from the Virginia side, and this keeps two different herds of the ponies separate, ensuring healthy DNA populations of the equines. 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