![]() Favorite recreational activites include fishing, surfing, beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing. Only a couple of miles wide at its broadest point, the island's terrain offers shelter to the famed wild horses as well as sika deer, ghost crabs, and migrating birds such as the great blue heron and snowy egret. Today's visitors can explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays. Assateague Island, dedicated as a National Seashore on September 1, 1965, lays claim to a long and rich history. Famed for its wild horses, this barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves. Being surrounded by coastal nature and majestic wild horses will definitely make for a camping trip that you won’t soon forget.Assateague Island National Seashore CampgroundĪssateague Island National Seashore is a 37-mile long barrier island on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia. If you’re looking to relax on the beach and enjoy activities like fishing, crabbing, kayaking, and scouring for shells, this is the place to do it. My fondest memory from a childhood trip was waking up to the sounds of the horses stampeding right past our campsite.Ĭamping on the beautiful beaches of Assateague Island is truly one of the most unique and memorable outdoor experiences that I have ever had. ![]() In any case, they have made the area their home, and you have a chance to see them up close anytime of the day or night while you’re there. It isn’t known exactly what brought these majestic creatures to Assateague, although there are several different theories, like a Spanish cargo shipwreck sometime long ago. One of the biggest draws for visitors is the hundreds of wild ponies that live and roam freely around the island. Hike around and explore, and try to see how many different kinds of wildlife you can find. You can enjoy bird watching, as there are more than 300 different species that call the island home. Bring your fishing gear and set up on the shore for a few hours. What to Do for FunĪs with any camping trip, you have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities on Assateague Island. Bring plenty of food and drinks so that you can avoid having to drive back onto the mainland. Since you’re going to be surrounded by sand, you’ll probably want to have a screen tent for dining and hanging out. You’ll be on the beach and out in nature, so don’t forget sunscreen, bug spray, and proper clothing to keep covered up if it gets chilly. In addition to the basic equipment, you need to bring your own firewood if you plan on using the fire rings. When you come to camp on Assateague Island, you need to come prepared. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider getting a permit for backcountry camping, where you can really rough it. It’s a good idea to make your reservations in advance to secure your site. The sites maintained by the state are only open from late April until November, whereas the National Park Service sites are open year round. You can opt for the National Park Service campsites, which have cold showers and chemical toilets, or Assateague State Park campsites, which offer bathhouse facilities with hot water. ![]() Where to CampĪlthough Assateague Island stretches along the coast of Maryland to Virginia, you can only camp on the Maryland side. Rather than bears running by your campsite, you’ll keep your eyes and ears alert for the beautiful wild ponies that roam along the shoreline. ![]() Camping on the beach at Assateague Island off the coast of Maryland offers you the opposite experience, allowing you to fall asleep under the stars to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. When most of us think of going camping, we envision a wooded area filled with trees, dirt, and woodland creatures like bears, skunks, and squirrels. Photo Credit: By tramod, via Wikimedia Commons ![]()
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