Assateague Island National Seashore Camping Overview

Beach at Assateague

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At the Maryland end, the National Park Service has established two oceanside and four bayside camping areas for visitors who wish to backpack or paddle the island. Each has a chemical toilet and picnic table but no drinking water. There is no fee. The two oceanside sites are available to hikers. The four bayside camps, closed only during firearms deer season, may be used by hikers or canoeists. Ocean sites are open inner dunes; bay sites sit among pine trees. Reservations are not necessary, but parking and backcountry-use permits are required and must be obtained by mid-afternoon. The nearest oceanside camp is four miles from parking. No camping is permitted in Virginia on the Wildlife Refuge.

In Maryland, canoe rentals are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In the off-season, rentals are available in the local area.

Oceanside sites are open year-round. Bayside sites are open year-round except during Assateague's shotgun and blackpowder deer hunting seasons.

Camping and Overnight Parking by Permit Only - Advance reservations are not accepted. Permits are available up to 24 hours before departure and are issued in person during office hours only. Overnight parking permits for each vehicle are also required. For Maryland departures, obtain permits at the Ranger Station. For Virginia departures, go to the Toms Cove Visitor Center. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Site occupancy is limited; be prepared to choose an alternate site.

Do not park and begin the backcountry trip without the permits. They provide valuable information on backcountry use and assist rangers in locating you in the event of a family or personal emergency.

For hikers, overnight parking in Maryland is at the North Ocean Beach parking lot, and at Old Ferry Landing for paddlers. In Virginia, all backcountry campers should park near Toms Cove Visitor Center.

Check-In Time - Due to the length of the trip involved, backcountry permits will not be issued after the following times:

Maryland departures to Little Levels, Tingles Island, Pine Tree, and Jim's Gut by 5 p.m. (3 p.m. during Standard Time). Departures to State Line and Pope Bay by noon. Please take into consideration your experience level, weather conditions, and tides, and adjust your start time accordingly.

All Bayside sites closed during Assateague's shotgun and blackpowder deer hunting season.

Strong winds can come up quickly, please paddle near shoreline. During small-craft advisories, no permits are issued for paddlers.

For Paddlers, bayside signs are located on the water approaches to the sites. Topographic maps are not required, but may be helpful to paddlers and can be purchased at Visitor Centers.

Regulations

Fires - At bayside sites, fires in rings only. Open fires at oceanside sites are allowed, but please build over the coals of a previous fire. Use only dead and down wood. Driftwood is scarce; do not count on its availability. Do not burn trash other than paper. Put out fires with water; do not cover with sand!

Where to Camp - At bayside sites, you must camp within 50 feet of the various fire rings. At oceanside sites, camping is within the designated posted boundary. Do not camp on the beach or dunes.

Transportation and Access - Transport of campers and their equipment by motor vehicle or motorized boat to any backcountry site is prohibited.

Pets are prohibited in the Chincoteague Refuge, Assateague State park, and all backcountry camping areas.

Trash - All litter must be packed out. Throwing trash into toilets causes damage to pumping equipment.

Closed Areas - When the National Park Service acquired the Maryland section of Assateague, some former property owners were permitted to retain a right-to-use and occupy their holding for a number of years. These properties are closed to public use. Signs mark these boundaries; do not approach or enter any building.

Additionally, during spring and summer, certain areas of the island may be closed due to bird nesting. This may include closures of one or more oceanside sites. For a variety of wildlife management purposes, portions of the refuge in Virginia are off limits to foot traffic. Respect closed area signs wherever you find them on Assateague.

Health And Safety

Insects - Ticks are abundant in spring and can be found in shrubs as early as late March. The potential for Lyme disease exists on Assateague; obtain information at the visitor center or campground office. Greenhead and deer flies bite during summer and are fierce when southerly winds bring high humidity. Mosquitoes are very abundant from mid-May to first frost. Bayside camps can be inhospitable during mosquito season. Ocean sites are better, but count on lots of mosquitoes at night—bring plenty of repellent.

Rapid Weather Changes are common on Assateague. Always check the forecast and do not hike or paddle when extreme weather or coastal storms are predicted. If whitecaps are present on the bay, we do not recommend paddling. Get off the bay or beach during thunderstorms, but do not get under a tree. Backcountry permits for paddlers will not be issued during small craft advisories. All backcountry sites are subject to evacuation and closure during extreme weather conditions.

Poison Ivy is common in woods and shrubs.

Wild Horses may appear quite tame. Each year, visitors are injured by horse bites and kicks, so observe them from a distance. Do not feed horses or approach any wildlife!

Due to High Winds and Soft Sands, paddling and hiking here can be unexpectedly rugged, even for the experienced. Use long tent pegs to secure your tent in the sand. Observe current weather, especially winds. Plan ahead by listening to forecasts.

Shallow Waters are the general rule in the bay, although deep troughs do exist. The Coast Guard requires a personal flotation device for each occupant.

Tidal Currents are strong around Chincoteague Island. The general fluctuation is about a foot, but extreme monthly lows can result in some "walking" of the watercraft. Stay close to the shoreline. Wear tennis shoes.

Drinking Water is not available in the backcountry, so take plenty—two quarts or more for each day is recommended in warmer weather.