Just a short drive from the excitement of Ocean City, Maryland, you will find a completely different kind of coastal experience. Assateague Island National Seashore is known for its undeveloped beaches, peaceful nature trails, incredible wildlife and, of course, its famous wild horses.
Assateague Island stretches for approximately 37 miles along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. While this guide focuses primarily on the Maryland side closest to Ocean City, the Virginia side offers its own attractions and is worth exploring if you have extra time.
Whether you want to spend the day swimming, photograph wild horses, paddle through calm bay waters or camp beneath the stars, Assateague is one of the most memorable places to visit on the Delmarva Peninsula.
The Maryland Side: Assateague Near Ocean City
The Maryland District of Assateague Island National Seashore is located near Berlin, Maryland, approximately 20 to 30 minutes from Ocean City, depending on your starting point and traffic.
The Maryland entrance provides access to the national seashore’s beaches, trails, visitor facilities and campgrounds. This is the side most Ocean City visitors choose for an easy day trip.
Before crossing onto the island, consider stopping at the Assateague Island Visitor Center at:
11800 Marsh View Lane
Berlin, MD 21811
The visitor center features educational exhibits, marine aquariums, maps and information about the island’s wildlife and changing coastal environment. It is also a helpful first stop for families and first-time visitors.
The Wild Horses of Assateague
For many visitors, seeing Assateague’s wild horses is the highlight of the trip.
The horses roam freely throughout the Maryland side of the island. You may see them grazing beside the road, walking through the dunes, standing near the marsh or even wandering across a parking lot.
However, these are wild animals, not petting-zoo ponies.
Never feed, touch or approach the horses. Feeding them is dangerous for both visitors and the animals, and it encourages the horses to approach vehicles, campsites and crowded areas looking for food. Keep food secured inside your vehicle or in a tightly sealed container.
Give the horses plenty of space and use your camera’s zoom when taking pictures. If a horse begins moving toward you, calmly back away and allow it to pass.
The horses are beautiful, but they can bite, kick and move surprisingly quickly. Review the National Park Service’s wild horse safety information before your visit.
Visitors’ Favorite Things to Do at Assateague
1. Spend the Day on the Beach
Assateague offers a more natural beach experience than Ocean City. Instead of hotels and boardwalk attractions, you will find dunes, open sky and miles of shoreline.
Visitors love coming here to swim, sunbathe, walk along the water and enjoy a quiet picnic. Swimming is permitted, but conditions can change quickly. Strong waves, rip currents and shifting sandbars may be present, so always pay attention to posted warnings and current beach conditions.
There are limited places to purchase food and drinks on the island. Pack plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and anything else your family may need.
2. Look for Wild Horses and Other Wildlife
Wildlife watching is one of the best reasons to visit Assateague. In addition to the horses, you may see:
- Sika deer
- White-tailed deer
- Egrets and herons
- Ospreys
- Shorebirds
- Rabbits
- Dolphins offshore
- Crabs, turtles and other marsh wildlife
Early morning and late afternoon are often wonderful times for wildlife viewing and photography. These times may also provide softer light, cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
3. Explore the Nature Trails
The Maryland side includes several short trails that introduce visitors to the island’s different environments, including salt marshes, maritime forests and sand dunes.
The trails are generally manageable for families and casual walkers, although heat, insects and soft sand can make a short walk feel more challenging.
Bring insect repellent, especially during the warmer months. Mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats and ticks can be abundant from spring through fall.
4. Go Kayaking or Canoeing
The calmer bay side of Assateague is a favorite place for kayaking and canoeing. Paddling gives visitors a closer view of salt marshes, coastal birds and areas that cannot easily be explored from the road.
Canoes and kayaks may be launched from designated areas. Seasonal rentals are also available in the Maryland District. Always check the wind, weather, tides and currents before heading onto the water.
5. Try Surf Fishing or Crabbing
Fishing and crabbing are popular Assateague traditions. Anglers can enjoy surf fishing from designated areas of the beach, while families often try crabbing from the bayside.
Licenses, catch limits and seasonal regulations may apply. Check the current Maryland requirements before fishing or crabbing, or ask a ranger for updated information when you arrive.
6. Ride a Bicycle
Several miles of bike-friendly paths and roads provide another way to explore the island. Bicycling is especially enjoyable during the quieter morning and evening hours.
Stay alert for wildlife, pedestrians and vehicles. Horses may unexpectedly step into or stand along the roadway.
7. Camp Near the Ocean
For a truly memorable experience, stay overnight on Assateague.
Camping is available on the Maryland side in oceanside and bayside areas. Individual campsites are currently listed at $40 per night, with separate entrance fees required. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15, and popular weekends can fill almost immediately when reservations become available.
The campgrounds are rustic. Facilities include chemical toilets, drinking water and seasonal cold-water showers. There are no hookups at individual campsites.
Campers should bring long tent stakes, insect repellent, sunscreen and a screen tent or shade shelter. All food must be stored securely because horses, gulls and other wildlife are extremely curious.
You can reserve an Assateague campsite through Recreation.gov.
8. Drive on the Beach With an OSV Permit
Visitors with an appropriate four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle may apply for an Over-Sand Vehicle permit to access designated portions of the beach.
An entrance pass is required in addition to the OSV permit. Vehicles must also carry specific recovery and safety equipment. The annual OSV permit is currently $110, while the Bullpen annual permit is $200.
Review the requirements and purchase an Assateague OSV permit through Recreation.gov before attempting to drive on the beach.
Assateague State Park vs. Assateague Island National Seashore
This is an important distinction for first-time visitors.
The Maryland portion of Assateague includes both:
- Assateague State Park, managed by the State of Maryland
- Assateague Island National Seashore, managed by the National Park Service
The two areas have separate entrances, facilities, fees and camping reservation systems. An Assateague State Park pass is not valid for entry into the National Seashore.
If your goal is to visit the National Seashore, follow signs for the National Park Service entrance.
What About the Virginia Side?
The Virginia side of Assateague is accessed through Chincoteague Island and is managed primarily as the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
There is no road connecting the Maryland and Virginia sections of Assateague Island. To visit both sides, you must return to the mainland and drive to the other entrance.
The Virginia side is known for:
- The Chincoteague ponies
- Assateague Lighthouse
- Wildlife Loop
- Birdwatching
- Hiking and bicycling trails
- Wildlife photography
- Fishing
- A recreational beach
The Wildlife Loop is particularly popular with cyclists and walkers. It also opens to vehicles daily from 3:00 p.m. until dusk, subject to current refuge conditions.
Unlike the Maryland District, there is no camping on the Virginia portion of Assateague. Private campgrounds and lodging are available on neighboring Chincoteague Island.
Learn more through the official Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge visitor guide.
Entrance Fees and Pass Information
As of 2026, entrance fees for the Maryland District include:
- Private vehicle seven-day pass: $25
- Motorcycle seven-day pass: $20
- Assateague annual park pass: $45
- Walking or bicycling into the park: No fee
The annual Assateague pass is valid at both the Maryland and Virginia districts, including Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
The Virginia entrance also offers a $10 one-day vehicle pass that is available only at the Virginia entrance station.
Passes may be purchased at the park entrance. Before visiting, review the latest prices, pass options and eligibility for senior, military, disability and fourth-grade passes on the official Assateague Island National Seashore Fees and Passes page.
Tips for a Better Visit
- Arrive early during summer weekends and holidays. Entrance lines can become very long.
- Check the park’s current conditions and alerts before leaving.
- Bring water, food, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Keep every bit of food securely stored.
- Never feed or approach the horses.
- Avoid leaving beach bags and coolers unattended.
- Bring hard-soled water shoes for bayside areas.
- Pack out everything you bring with you.
- Do not count on strong cellular service throughout the island.
- Respect closed dunes and wildlife nesting areas.
- Check surf conditions before swimming.
- Visit in the morning or late afternoon for cooler weather and beautiful photography.
A Wild and Wonderful Side of the Eastern Shore
Ocean City may be known for its Boardwalk, restaurants and family attractions, but Assateague Island reveals another side of Maryland’s coast.
Here, the beach is shaped by the wind and waves. Horses wander freely. Birds gather in the marshes, and the evening sky stretches uninterrupted over the dunes.
Whether you visit for a few hours or spend several nights camping beside the ocean, Assateague Island National Seashore offers an experience that feels both adventurous and wonderfully peaceful. It is one of the Eastern Shore’s most remarkable natural treasures and an easy addition to any Ocean City vacation.
Plan your visit and view current entrance pass information:
Assateague Island National Seashore Fees and Passes
Reserve camping:
Assateague Island National Seashore Campground
Purchase an OSV permit:
Assateague Island OSV Permits
Disclaimer
Prices, entrance fees, operating hours, reservation requirements, park rules and availability are accurate to the best of our knowledge as of August 2026 but may change without notice. Always confirm current information directly with the National Park Service, Recreation.gov or the appropriate park authority before traveling or making a purchase. Links are provided for convenience, and we are not responsible for third-party websites, changes, cancellations or unavailable services. Recommendations reflect general visitor interests and are not paid endorsements. Visitors are responsible for following all posted regulations, wildlife-safety guidance and weather or water advisories.
