Assateague Island National Seashore

Assateague Island National Seashore is a 37-mile undeveloped barrier island straddling the Maryland-Virginia border, preserving one of the last stretches of pristine Atlantic coastline on the Mid-Atlantic coast. The Maryland side, administered jointly by the National Park Service and Maryland Park Service, covers 16 miles of beach accessible from the northern end near Berlin. The sand is coarse-to-medium Atlantic sand, pounded white and unmarred by development, and the surf is considerably more powerful than Chesapeake Bay beaches — expect consistent two-to-four-foot Atlantic swells with stronger rip currents possible during storms. The beach faces east across open ocean, fully exposed to wind and surf with no sheltering features. The island's most celebrated residents are the Chincoteague ponies, feral horses descended from stock that have roamed here since at least the 17th century. Visitors can often spot small herds grazing in the marsh grasses behind the dunes or wandering across the beach, particularly in morning and evening hours. The park encompasses not only beach but a diverse ecosystem of maritime forest, freshwater ponds, and salt marsh, supporting abundant wildlife including brown pelicans, osprey, great blue herons, and thousands of migratory shorebirds during spring and fall. Swimming is permitted but no lifeguards patrol the NPS side; the Maryland State Park section near the entrance provides seasonal lifeguard coverage. Camping is a major draw — both drive-in and hike-in backcountry sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, allowing visitors to experience the island after day visitors depart. Insect pressure from biting flies and mosquitoes is significant from late May through early September.