Assateague & Chincoteague Islands

Assateague Horse on Road - Maryland Access
+++SEE BOTTOM OF ARTICLE FOR INFO ON JOINING US AUGUST 9-11, 2011+++ 

Wild horses, prairies, estuaries, plains. Sound like something you would find in the south or out west?  Assateague Island, situated on the Maryland and Virginia borders, is an east coast destination for adventure and relaxation.

There is a Maryland access on the north end of the island (close to Ocean City & Berlin, Maryland) and a Virginia access on the south end at Chincoteague Island, VA. No roads connect the MD and VA sides on the island (which would make the drive much faster).

Maryland Access

Assateague Island is managed by three official park agencies. Assateague Island National Seashore is cared for and managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Department of Natural Resources (State Park). 

This part of the island is accessible from the Maryland side on MD Rt 611. The Barrier Island Visitor Center is located on the RIGHT side of the road just before the bridge that takes you to Assateague Island. This is the National Park Headquarters for the island and a MUST stop for information, maps, and other vital information related to visiting the National Park part of the island. 

There is no lodging close to the Maryland side of the island. Most people choose to stay in Ocean City, Maryland or surrounding communities that are within fifteen minutes to half hour drive from the island. Camping is available on this side of the island, including RV hookups.

Virginia Access

Assateague Lighthouse

 Chincoteague Island access is about 1.5 hours south from the Maryland access on RT 13 & 113.

Chincoteague Island is in Virginia and adjacent to Assateague Island. The Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge is the southern end of Assateague Island in Virginia, the refuge was established in 1943 for the protection of migratory waterfowl habitat.

Over 14,000 acres of beach, maritime forest, saltmarsh, and freshwater marsh habitats are home to a spectacular variety of migratory birds, plants, and other animals. The Toms Cove Visitor Center is located on the south side of Beach Road, prior to the beach parking areas.
On Chincoteague Island you will find lodging in the form of hotels, cottages, beach houses, campgrounds and bed & breakfasts. Seafood restaurants can be found here and offer a variety of local fresh fish and shellfish. 
                   
Both islands are famous for the wild ponies that actually populate Asssateague Island. The Chincoteague Fire Department has a "pony roundup" annually in July and "swims" the ponies to Chincoteague for auction to keep the herd on Assateague at a manageable level.

GENERAL CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER
Summers at Assateague are generally hot and humid. Mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats and ticks are abundant from spring through autumn. Insect repellent and/or protective clothing is recommended. It rarely snows in the winter but it is often cold, damp and windy. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended for long walks in the sand and hard soled water shoes/sandals or for wading in bay waters.


ACTIVITIES
Assateague Island at both the Maryland and Virginia access is a great vacation destination within easy reach for many East Coast residents. There are sightseeing cruises that depart from Chincoteague Island May through October, kayaking & canoeing, fishing (crabbing and clamming also), hunting, hiking, biking, photography and other activities that continually make this a paradise for visitors that enjoy outdoor recreation.

Assateague Island has over 37 miles of beautiful beach and has been rated one of best beaches on the entire East Coast. Search for seashells on white sand beaches, enjoy swimming along the Atlantic coastline or just relax on Assateague's vast unspoiled beaches.

The Assateague Lighthouse is on the way to the beach in Chincoteague and definitely worth a visit. Restoration has been ongoing and the light is still active.

CAMPING
NOTE: Campers may not bring firewood from out of state. Firewood must be purchased locally.
Camping at Assateague will be a pleasant experience if you plan ahead! The barrier island habitat can be harsh if you are not prepared. Camping is available only in the Maryland district of Assateague Island. Campers are reminded to bring firewood, sunscreen, insect repellent, screen tents for shade and insect protection, and long tent stakes to anchor tents in the sand and wind.
Assateague Island National Seashore Campgrounds:

• Oceanside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and an upright grill.
• Oceanside Walk-in: Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking areas. Sites have a picnic table and an upright grill.
• Bayside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and ground fire grill. A Drive-In "Generator-Free Zone" is located in Bayside B Loop.
• Group Camping: Organized clubs and affiliated groups must use group campsites. Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking area. Sites have a picnic table and an upright grill. Group campsites are available for reservations year round at $30 per night per site.

HIKING

Sunrise Hike Near Toms Cove
Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge

Hiking on a barrier island is a very unique experience. Be prepared for the challenges of heat, humidity, biting insects, fast approaching storms and changing tides. Hikers need to assume individual responsibility for planning their trips and hiking safely. Before setting out on your hike, stop by a park visitor center or ranger station to obtain needed warnings and recommendations. You will increase your odds of a safe hike, decrease your disturbance to park wildlife, and lessen damage to resources.

Trails are well kept and marked. The Maryland trails incorporate boardwalks and take the hiker through specific habitats. 

Beach Hiking
Visitors interested in hiking on the beach should also consider:
Terrain: Beach hiking is much more strenuous than hiking on a hard surface. The hiking terrain is flat, but the sand is soft and uneven. Visual distances over sand are deceiving. There are few landmarks and it is easy to underestimate mileage. Please take this into account when planning your hike.
Tides: Knowing the tide cycles may help you. Hiking at low tide offers a somewhat flatter, harder sand surface. Hiking at high tide usually means hiking higher on the beach in soft sand which is extremely fatiguing.
Footwear: Sturdy walking or hiking shoes offer the best support for long hikes in the sand. Keep in mind, wet shoes filled with sand can cause serious abrasions.
For backcountry camping enthusiasts, two oceanside and four bayside sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis for visitors who wish to backpack or paddle the island.

BIKING
A great way to explore the island!
Maryland
Cyclists may travel to Assateague over a bicycle-pedestrian bridge and follow a paved bike path along Bayberry Drive through 4 miles of island habitat.
Virginia
A paved path leads bicycles from Chincoteague to Assateague. Enjoy these paths, too!
Wildlife Loop - 3 1/4 mile loop
Woodland Trail - 1 1/2 mile loop
Swan Cove Trail - 1/2 mile
Black Duck Marsh Trail - 1 mile

Kayaks & Canoes
Kayaks and canoes may be launched from designated areas on Assateague. Careful consideration should be given to weather conditions and tidal currents. Rentals are available seasonally in Maryland. Kayak tours are available in Chincoteague, VA.

Over-Sand Vehicles (OSV)There are 12 miles of beach in Maryland and a small section of beach in Virginia open to over-sand vehicles. An annual OSV permit may be purchased for $70 to $150 depending upon the type of access desired. Specific equipment is required.

Shell Collecting
Limit collecting to a gallon or less of UNOCCUPIED shells to ensure a supply for beach dwelling organisms.

Shellfishing
Crabbing and clamming are great ways to discover the bays behind Assateague and sample some local seafood specialties native to the area.

Surf Fishing
Surf fishing has been a popular recreational activity for generations. With a few basic tips on seasons, conditions, equipment, species & regulations, anglers can have an enjoyable experience. Fishing license is required. Check the PERMITS page of Assateague Island for details.

PARK ENTRANCE FEES
Maryland
Foot/Bicycle: No Fee
Individual: $3.00
Motorcycle: $10.00 - 7 Days
Vehicle: $15.00 - 7 Days
Vehicle: $30.00 - Park Annual Pass, valid from 1/1 - 12/31.
Vehicle: $15.00 - Beach Parking fee upgrade for USFWS Migratory Waterfowl Duck Stamp, valid July 1 - June 30 annually.VirginiaFoot/Bicycle: No Fee
Vehicle: $8.00 - 1 Day
Vehicle: $15.00 - 7 Days
Vehicle: $30.00 - Refuge Annual Pass, valid 1 year from purchase.
Vehicle: $30.00 - USFWS Migratory Waterfowl Duck Stamp ($15.00) plus beach parking fee ($15.00)

ANIMALS

Assateague Horses

Mare & Foal

Legend has it that the Assateague horses are survivors of a shipwreck off the Virginia coast. While this dramatic tale is popular, there are no records yet that confirm it. The most plausible explanation is that they are the descendants of horses that were brought to barrier islands like Assateague in the late 17th century by mainland owners to avoid fencing laws and taxation of livestock. The "wild" horses on Assateague are actually feral animals, meaning that they are descendants of domestic animals that have reverted to a wild state.

The horses are split into two main herds, one on the Virginia side and one on the Maryland side of Assateague. They are separated by a fence at the Virginia/Maryland State line. These herds have divided themselves into bands of two to twelve animals and each band occupies a home range. The National Park Service manages the Maryland herd. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company owns and manages the Virginia herd. It is the Virginia herd which is often referred to as the "Chincoteague" ponies. The horses on the Va side are not as approachable as those on the MD side. Many visitors first learn about the Assateague horses from Marguerite Henry's famous book Misty of Chincoteague.

There are few places in the United States where you can view wild horses. Due to their complex social structure the Assateague horses display a wide range of unique behaviors. Take advantage of the opportunity to view these horses in a natural habitat. Assateague's horses are beautiful, tough, and wild. They have learned to survive in a harsh environment. Feeding and/or petting them is detrimental to both visitors and horses. Horses can get sick from human food. Those that learn to come up to the road to beg for food are often hit and killed by cars. Visitors are kicked, bitten and knocked down every year as a direct result of getting too close to the wild horses. Horses tough enough to survive the scorching heat, abundant mosquitoes, stormy weather and poor quality food found on this remote, windswept barrier island have formed a unique wild horse society. Enjoy their beauty from a distance, and you can help make sure these extraordinary wild horses will continue to thrive on Assateague Island.

Sika Deer

Deer
Two species of deer take advantage of the island's interior forests and shrub habitats, the native white-tailed deer and the non-native sika deer, actually a species of oriental elk. Ongoing research is evaluating the ecological effects of sika deer on both native vegetation communities and other wildlife such as the white-tailed deer.

Other mammals of Assateague occupy a wide array of habitats and range in size from small rodents to large marine mammals - the latter including the bottlenose dolphins and several species of whales that feed in the island's offshore waters.

Egret

Birds
Located along the Atlantic migratory flyway, Assateague Island plays host to a wide variety of both migratory and resident bird species. Because its mid-latitude location is within the migratory routes of both northern and southern species, the island provides a unique opportunity for birders. The island's rich mosaic of forest, dune, and marsh habitats offers feeding and nesting opportunities for a wide array of shorebirds, songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and waders.

Rat Snake

Other Inhabitants
Box turtles and diamondback terrapins delight visitors throughout the island, and Seven species of frogs and toads depend on fresh water ponds in the center of the island for breeding, and a variety of snakes, such as the black rat snake, can be found across the forests, dunes, and marshes preying on rodents, small birds, or toads.

Numerous invertebrates such as fiddler crabs and mud snails play key roles in maintaining the health of the island’s salt marshes. Even the seemingly barren beaches provide habitat for nocturnal ghost crabs, red fox, and raccoons, who scavenge the crustaceans, fish, and other organic matter washed in by the tides.

Finally, the coastal waters that surround Assateague Island teem with animal life. The sheltered, nutrient rich waters of the estuary formed by the island provide ideal breeding and spawning habitat for many aquatic species, some of which, like the blue crab, are commercially important to the local area. Each spring a variety of fish, including spot, Atlantic menhaden and summer flounder migrate into the estuary to breed. Later, the juvenile fish provide an abundant food source for birds, marine mammals, and larger fish.

Enough for you to do on your vacation? Assateague island will meet all your expectations!

JOIN US! Harbor Light Adventures will be on Chincoteague Island, VA, August 9th to August 11th, 2011. We can make your reservations and meet you for a nature photography expedition to the island. Call Al at 888-895-5255 Ext. 2

See You There!!! 

Tour completed! Thanks to everyone who attended. We will talk about our stay in the next blog entry: Chincoteague, VA Stay, Play, Shop & Eat