9 Tips For Visiting Assateague Island National Seashore

Legend has it that the feral horses that roam Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore descend from survivors of a Spanish galleon, shipwrecked alongside the mid-Atlantic coast. Like most ladies, I fell in love with the romantic notions of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands after studying Marguerite Henry’s youngsters’s e-book, Misty Of Chincoteague (1947) after which seeing the film (1961). Rising up in Maryland and vacationing in Ocean Metropolis every summer season, I can’t keep in mind a 12 months that we didn’t go to the Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore.

Even understanding that the horses extra probably got here from Seventeenth-century landowners inserting their horses on the island attempting to keep away from the Maryland fence tax (reasonably than on their solution to a viscount in Peru) can’t take away the attract.

I’ve liked Assateague Island since I used to be a bit lady. Between the lighthouse, the Chincoteague horses, and exploring sand dunes, I feel the one “dangerous” factor about any go to was the mosquitos. The mosquitos are vicious, particularly on the bay facet in the course of the summer season months. I’ve simply realized that having Sort O blood attracts mosquitos. Fortunate me.

However along with bringing robust insect repellent and carrying long-sleeve shirts and slacks, what else ought to you understand to finest get pleasure from your time at Assateague? 

1. Do Not Method The Horses

Although the horses might seem tame, they’ve been recognized to chunk or kick park guests. Moreover, rangers can ticket you for being too near the horses. So save your self the difficulty; don’t pet, feed, and even transfer inside 40 ft of those lovely animals. 

2. How To Get There 

Assateague Island, situated off the jap coast of Maryland and Virginia, is a 37-mile lengthy (however by no means greater than a mile broad) barrier island. It’s the biggest pure barrier island ecosystem within the Center Atlantic states and a part of a series that extends from Maine to Texas.

It’s lower than a 3-hour drive from Richmond, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, or Philadelphia. No highway runs throughout your entire island. You possibly can take the bridge from both Maryland (Verrazano from SR 611) or Virginia (John B. Whealton Memorial Causeway from SR 175).

Be aware: The Customer’s Middle is earlier than the bridge on the Maryland facet. It offers orientation data, reveals, and ranger-led applications in the summertime and fall.

There’s a 2-mile stretch of highway via the state park for guests to succeed in the Nationwide Seashore. 

3. The Ecosystem Is Altering

Barrier islands, by their nature, change type based mostly on sand motion on the land-facing facet of the island. Some view this as a brand new island each season based mostly on wind and sand shifts.

A number of components led to the island drifting westward, beginning with the Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane in 1933. Throughout the storm, an inlet was created south of Ocean Metropolis, Maryland. After the storm, land jetties have been created to protect the navigation channel which led to higher seashores for Ocean Metropolis and elevated erosion on Assateague. 

The supply of sand erosion is runoff from the Appalachian Mountains. This erosion has accelerated because the local weather adjustments and the ocean degree rises. It stays most pronounced on the north finish of the island. After a number of nor’easters in 1998, a sand replenishment program was undertaken to revive the north finish of Assateague.

4. Historical past Of The Island, The Pony Swim, And Pony Penning

In 1950, development started on Assateague for a non-public resort neighborhood known as Ocean Seashore, Maryland. However the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 destroyed the highway, Baltimore Boulevard, and buildings on the island. Realizing the land was too unstable to construct upon, the land was offered to the federal authorities. 

Established in 1965 to “protect the barrier island and surrounding waters, and supply leisure alternatives,” Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore is a unit of the Nationwide Park Service system of the U.S. Division of the Inside, and operated in cooperation by the Nationwide Park Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Maryland State Parks. 

The northern two-thirds of the island belong to Maryland, whereas the southern third of the island belongs to Virginia. The Maryland part comprises nearly all of Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore.

The Virginia facet comprises the Chincoteague Nationwide Wildlife Refuge and is residence to the Pony Auction held as a fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fireplace Division. About 60 foals are born every year and the sale assists with inhabitants management. 

Native “saltwater cowboys” spherical up the ponies and kind these to be faraway from the island. This causes the thrilling Pony Swim and on the following day, the Pony Penning. Maryland horses are given contraception to restrict the horse inhabitants. Their purpose herd dimension stays 80 to 100 horses.

Kids get entangled as proven on this documentary. 

Suggestions for individuals who want to bid on the ponies may be discovered here. 

5. There Are A number of Methods To Get Round

Along with the customer heart and campgrounds, Assateague Island National Seashore consists of three nature trails, a lifeguarded seashore, and park headquarters.

You may get round on foot or by kayak, Over-Sand Car (OSV), and horseback (allowed on seashores).

Kayak touring is a well-liked solution to see the wildlife, particularly on the bay facet of the island.

Hikers have three choices, every lower than a mile lengthy. The Marsh Path is a half-mile alongside an elevated boardwalk that gives glorious views of the salt marsh habitat. The half-mile Forest Path is well walkable on hard-packed surfaces or boardwalks and far of it’s shaded by woodlands. The Dunes Path is three-quarters of a mile lengthy, the place you’ll stroll in sand and see a bit of the previous Baltimore Boulevard. 

Whilst you’re allowed to swim anyplace, the lifeguarded seashores on each the Maryland and the Virginia sides are probably the most secure every summer season. Browsing is prohibited inside the lifeguard areas. 

Over-Sand Car (OSV) Zones are designated for 4WD autos to drive on the seashore. On the Maryland facet, you’ll be able to drive from the principle tenting space within the park to the Virginia state line (horse fences stop entry). Every car requires a allow and a verified listing of security tools earlier than accessing the OSV zone, which is enforced by computerized gates. Both sides of the seashore limits the variety of autos at any time, that are restricted additional in the course of the piper plover breeding season. OSV permits are issued for a 12 months from the month of buy.

6. It’s A Nice Place For Birding

Many chook species inhabit the island together with the American oystercatcher, nice blue heron, snowy egret, red-winged blackbird, brown pelican, a number of species of gulls and terns, shorebirds, raptors, waterbirds, and waterfowl. Within the wooded habitats shelter, chances are you’ll discover ruby-crowned kinglets and white-eyed vireos. In winter, the area shelters brant geese and northern saw-whet owls.

Most significantly, maybe, the threatened piper plover nests on Assateague. Throughout their summer season breeding interval, closures might happen within the OSV zone and the north finish of the island.

7. You Can Fish There, Too

Saltwater fishing stays a well-liked pastime on Assateague. Anglers over 16 should possess a legitimate fishing license. Since 2011, all anglers should buy a legitimate Maryland fishing license earlier than they exit. In the event you’re fishing in Virginia waters, although, you’ll additionally have to buy a Virginia fishing license. 

8. Tenting Choices Are Out there 

Staying in a single day on Assateague requires a camp permit. Automotive tenting websites can be found by reservation on-line. Reservations open 6 months upfront and e-book rapidly, particularly for weekends and holidays.

Choices embrace drive-in, horse tenting, and back-country tenting. All tenting is on the Maryland facet of the park. You possibly can select oceanside with fast entry to the seashore, or camp west of the principle dune on bayside campsites with higher views of the wetlands and grazing horses. There are six backcountry campsites, 4 of that are bayside and may be accessed by mountain climbing, canoe, or kayak. Hike into the 2 oceanside backcountry websites. 

It’s important to know there’s no contemporary water accessible at any of the backcountry websites. You’ll should carry your individual. 

Pets are prohibited besides from a really small a part of the Nationwide Seashore and State Park. 

9. You Can Go to A Nineteenth-Century Lighthouse

The picturesque purple and white Assateague lighthouse is situated on the Virginia facet of Assateague Island, lower than 5 minutes from Chincoteague.

The unique lighthouse was constructed in 1833 for a value of $5,000. In 1860, a taller, extra powerfully illuminated lighthouse was begun, however development was delayed as a result of Civil Struggle. It was lastly accomplished in 1867. With a base over 27 ft in diameter, it stands 142 ft excessive. 

The Coast Guard maintained it for years and it was transformed to be electrically operated in 1933. Possession transferred to Fish & Wildlife Service in 2004. The Coast Guard continues to take care of the sunshine, which was initially a candle lantern and is now twin rotating lights that flash one after the opposite from a peak of 154 ft above sea degree and may be seen 19 miles out to sea. 

The highest of the lighthouse is accessible to the general public and stays one of the vital spectacular landmarks in Virginia. Whereas admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted. 

In the event you’d like a panoramic view of the Assateague Lighthouse, think about an Assateague cruise or kayak journey from Chincoteague, Virginia.