How to Visit Assateague Island
You don't have to be a fan of Marguerite Henry's books about the wild ponies of Assateague Island to want to visit the beautiful locale. You can visit this famous island any time of the year, where the wild pony herds are only one of the attractions.
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Instructions
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Make your approach to Assateague Island from either Maryland or Virginia. However, if you want to also see the lovely seaside community of Chincoteague, enter through Virginia.
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Visit in the spring. Although the island is open to visitors year-round, winter and summer weather can be rather cold or very warm, and hurricanes may threaten your visit in fall. In spring, you can see new foals.
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Walk or bicycle to the island, then follow one of several nature trails. There is no fee for access in Virginia. Some trails pass by the Assateague Island lighthouse.
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Swim, canoe or kayak. Swimming areas are monitored by lifeguards.
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Collect seashells or fish on the beach. You will need to buy an overnight fishing permit at the Tom Cove visitor's center as well as a permit for your vehicle if you choose to drive.
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Camp on the beach. You can camp at sites away from the beach, called backcountry sites, but only if you visit the Maryland portion of Assateague Island. You must obtain permits to camp, including special permits you must have to start a campfire.
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Enjoy driving "dune buggies" or other vehicles in the sand. The permit for this is expensive, but it's good for a year.
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Take a boat tour around the island. Tours leave from Chincoteague, so call ahead to reserve space.
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Ride horses. (In Maryland you can camp with your horse.) It's best to call ahead, because the horse trails are sometimes closed to allow birds to nest. Also, you cannot ride horses between mid-May and early October because of the possibility that your horse may contract insect borne diseases.
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Hunt deer, rabbits, foxes and a variety of birds. You must have licenses and stamps and adhere to all regulations and restrictions.
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Tips & Warnings
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, visit Chincoteague during the annual pony swim. This event takes place on the last Wednesday of July each year. Pony herds are rounded up and made to swim across the narrow channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague, where some are auctioned off to provide funds for the volunteer fire department. The pony swim takes place during low tide; plan your visit accordingly. Call at least a year in advance if you want to stay overnight in or near Chincoteague.
While visiting Assateague, you may want to purchase Marguerite Henry's books. Enjoy re-reading them yourself or give them to your children or grandchildren.
Leave your pets at home; none are permitted on the island, even in vehicles.
