Assateague Island National Seashore Campground
Assateague Island National Seashore is a 37-mile long barrier island on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia. Famed for its wild horses, this barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves. Assateague Island, dedicated as a National Seashore on September 1, 1965, lays claim to a long and rich history. Today's visitors can explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays. 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.
First-come, first-served March 15 to November 15. Reservable the rest of the year.
More like this: first-come in Maryland · reservable in Maryland · big rigs in Maryland · pets allowed in Maryland · group sites in Maryland
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 83 |
| Walk-in | 63 |
| Tent-only | 6 |
| Group tent areas | 5 |
| group equestrian | 2 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 66 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
159 sites in 10 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 49 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A02 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A03 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Pull-through | 61 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A04 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Pull-through | 60 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A05 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 64 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A06 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 62 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A07 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A08 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A09 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Pull-through | 58 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A10 | Bayside Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 62 | Paved | Island | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 66 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites A19, 010 are listed accessible |
- The campground is open year-round. Advance reservations are available up to 6 months in advance during the following dates:
- Oceanside Group sites: Year-round.
- Bayside Individual sites: Year-round.
- Equestrian Non-electric sites: From October 16 through April 15 each year (closed April 16 - October 15).
- Oceanside Individual sites: From March 15 through November 15 each year (first come first serve only, November 16 - March 14).
- Amenities include vault toilets, drinking water, and unheated showers (March 15 - November 15 only) for rinsing off sand. Water in the campground is available when temperatures are above freezing, and year round at the dump stations.
- The island can be accessed from the northern route in Maryland or the southern route in Virginia, but there is no through road from one end of the island to the other. Access to both Maryland and Virginia entrances are reached by bridge over mainland routes.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Follow US Route 50 east to MD Route 611 south. Proceed over the Verrazano Bridge. Take the first right onto BayBerry Drive. Continue 2.25 miles (3.6 km) to the entrance station. An entrance fee is required unless you possess an America the Beautiful annual or lifetime pass. Take the first right to the ranger station to register and check in.
| Nearest town | Berlin, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 38.0833° N, 75.2000° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Cancellations/Modifications: Customers can modify/cancel reservations starting 18 days after the reservation was made. Customers cancelling a reservation will be charged a $10.00 service fee. Late Cancellations: Customers who cancel a reservation the day before or the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night’s use fee. Cancellations for a 1-night stay will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to the additional service fee. Early Departures: Customers wishing to early depart before 11am can receive a refund for that night and subsequent nights provided they are off the campsite completely by 11am. Customers wishing to early depart after 11am can receive a refund for subsequent days, but will not get a refund for the current night. ANY early departure requires that you stop at the Ranger Station to check out with the rangers or no refunds will be given. (See Need to Know)
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 10.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Assateague Market ↗ | 12.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Assateague Island - Beach and Camping - Full Review - Berlin Maryland
Worth a stop
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers a 14,000-acre wildlife preserve located at the southern end of Assateague Island. To the north, Assateague State Park features two miles of pristine ocean beaches. Ocean City, Maryland is only about 10 miles away with a 2.5 mile long boardwalk filled with shops, restaurants, and a wide variety of entertainment options. The historic town of Berlin is about 10 miles west of Assateague, offering many shops and restaurants.
- 9 mi
Public land it sits in
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge begins about 13.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 13.2 miChincoteague National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 12,338 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Mansion HouseBuilding · Public Landing · 6.5 mi
- Nun's GreenBuilding · Snow Hill · 10.4 mi
- James Martin HouseBuilding · Snow Hill · 12.2 mi
Natural features
Assateague Island, famed for its wild horses, lies off the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Coast. This barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves. The Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park, and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge each manage and protect this unique, diverse strip of land.
Recreation
Activities are abundant on the island, with both crabbing and clamming as well as a long stretch of beach for swimming, kayaking and fishing.
Guidebooks for Assateague Island National Seashore and Maryland
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground?
For part of the year. First-come, first-served March 15 to November 15. Reservable the rest of the year.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground?
Customers cancelling a reservation will be charged a $10.00 service fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Assateague Island National Seashore Campground have?
160 sites, including 83 standard sites without power, 63 walk-in sites, 6 tent-only sites, and 5 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground?
The longest site here provides 66 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground?
Amenities include vault toilets, drinking water, and unheated showers (March 15 - November 15 only) for rinsing off sand. Water in the campground is available when temperatures are above freezing, and year round at the dump stations.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Assateague Island National Seashore Campground?
Sites A19 and 010 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is the nearest town to Assateague Island National Seashore Campground?
Berlin, Maryland. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers a 14,000-acre wildlife preserve located at the southern end of Assateague Island.
Source: Getting there
What if Assateague Island National Seashore Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds (66.7 mi) and Pax River Paradise Grove Campgrounds (66.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Assateague Island National Seashore Campground in?
Assateague Island National Seashore Campground is a Assateague Island National Seashore campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.