How to Camp on Assateague Island

The Atlantic Ocean, salt marshes, bays, and wild horses beckon you as you cross the bridge over Sinpuxent Bay from Maryland's mainland to Assateague Island, a barrier island dedicated to conservation, natural resource preservation, and recreation.

The only way to stay more than one day on Assateague Island is to camp, as it is not a highly developed tourist area. The island has a reputation for harsh circumstances, included biting flies and mosquitoes, but with some planning, you can overcome these obstacles and have a wonderful experience camping on Assateague Island.

Why would you want to camp on Assateague Island? It's really a lot of fun. Among the various reasons are to see the wild horses, campfires on the beach, crabbing and fishing in the bay, and all day to spend on the beach.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
   A sunset from the bay side of Assateague Island

   Assateague Island is divided between the Assateague State Park, part of the Maryland Parks system, and the Assateague National Seashore, part of the National Park Service. Both organizations have separate camping facilities.

2. Assateague State Park:
   All 350 sites at Assateague State Park are on the ocean side of the island. The state park provides picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Water is available within an easy distance to the campsites. There are limited electric hook-ups. There are sites for RV and tent camping. Unlike the national park, there are flush toilets and the bathhouses provide hot water for showers.

3. 
   The wild horses walk up the boardwalk to the ocean.

   Assateague Island National Seashore:
   Assateague National Seashore offers various camping areas within the park. Reservations are recommended, from mid-April to October, especially for weekends and during peak visiting seasons. The park provides picnic tables and grills at each site. Potable water, chemical toilets and cold-water showers are provided within each camping area.
   
   In the Oceanside Campground, there are drive in sites for RVs and tents, or walk-in only sites for tents only where gear must be carried about 100 to 200 feet. Access to the ocean is just a sand dune away.
   
   Located on the bay, Bayside Campground offers sites for RVs, and tents. There is a designated "Generator Free Zone" on this side of the island.
   
   Backcountry sites are available for individuals that wish to backpack or canoe from 2.5 to 13 miles. No fresh water is available at the backcountry sites. Permits are issued on a first-come, first served basis.

Tips & Warnings

• If tent camping, bring extra-long stakes specifically designed for use in sand.
• On your way to the Island, purchase wood from the many local shops nearby if you want to have a campfire on the beach. This will help to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer by bringing infected wood onto the Island.
• Expect to deal with mosquitoes and biting flies. Insect repellent is a must. Hats, lightweight pants and long-sleeved shirts help to protect your skin too.
• If visiting during the hotter months, bring some form of shade. Screened tents are fabulous, as not only do they protect you from the sun, but also from some insects.
• Most of the insects are found close to the vegetation in the campsites. If you are staying on the ocean side, plan to spend most of your time on the other side of the dunes where the winds from the ocean keep the insects away.
• The wild horses are notorious for eating any and all food left out in the open at campsites. Do not leave food unattended. Do not leave food in tents.
• Put all food in plastic storage containers. Push coolers and storage containers under the benches of the picnic table for added protection.
• Wild horses wander through campsites all the time. After a while they can become a nuisance. It's not uncommon to chase them away with loud claps.
• Do not approach the wild horses.
• Do not feed the wild horses.
• Wear sunscreen and sit in some shade to prevent sunburn.
• Because of the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, do not bring firewood from home to Assateague Island.

Resources

• Learn more about Assateague Island National Seashore at this website.
• Learn more about the Maryland’s only beachfront state park on Assateague Island.

[deggy]

on 6/11/2009 We love camping here. It is a beautiful place and a Maryland (and Virginia) treasure. Would suggest a tarp set up at the campground and/or a shade tent at the beach would help. There is really no shelter from the sun. Also, bring 3-4 times more bug repellent than you think you will need. One time we went through 4 cans in 4 days. Another time we had great luck with the bugs- hardly any (rare). You never know which way it will go. Definitely remember to pack away your food in the car at night. The horses will go after anything left out. They will even brazenly approach you if you are eating on the beach. If we saw horses out on the beach, we would put the food away til s/he was out of sight. Have fun!! It is really an amazing adventure!!

[gnomon]

on 3/1/2008 Fair article. You might have mentioned the fishermen that are allowed to drive down the island with a permit. This is annoying to the people who hike the 2.5 to 13 miles to get away. You can set up a tent only 200 feet from the ocean there, but what good is that when RV's are cruising up and down the beach, or fishing within sight of your campsite? Also, although there is no fresh water at those sites, if one plans to go there when it is going to rain, you can harvest the rain to drink!

You don't necessarily have to have long tent stakes. Another good use for those annoying, wasteful plastic bags used for groceries is to take them with you to Assateague, fill them with sand, tie them up, then bury them in the sand as anchors. This same trick works for snow as well.

Go camping here in the wintertime. Although it is cold, it is refreshing! No other campers, no bugs, ocean ten

[kwiltedlady]

on 2/19/2008 Thanks for the tic warning! I forgot about that.

[BusyChick]

on 2/19/2008 Very accurate information. Great place to camp - we go annually. Biting insects and tics are no joke - one additional warning would be to bring warm clothes even in summer months. Evenings get considerably colder due to ocean breezes regardless of the time of year.

[BusyChick]

on 2/19/2008 Very accurate information. Great place to camp - we go annually. Biting insects and tics are no joke - one additional warning would be to bring warm clothes even in summer months. Evenings get considerably colder due to ocean breezes regardless of the time of year.