The Final Information To Assateague Island Tenting – Bearfoot Concept
Assateague Island is a 37-mile lengthy barrier island positioned off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. It’s recognized for its wide-open seashores, herds of untamed ponies, lovely maritime forests, and beautiful Assateague Island tenting, proper on the seashore! Not too shabby, proper?
Since this well-known island is a Nationwide Seashore, it’s a well-liked vacation spot for outside fanatics and there’s loads of enjoyable issues to do on Assateague Island. So for those who’re prepared for a real island expertise, on this publish, we’ve compiled all the information it is advisable make it occur.
From permits to instructions and some key objects to pack, right here is the final word information to Assateague Island tenting & issues to do.
Assateague Island Map
The right way to Get to Assateague Island
One of the simplest ways to get to Assateague Island is to journey over the long-lasting 4.3 mile-long Chesapeake Bay Bridge close to Annapolis, Maryland. Drive by way of the decrease peninsula of Maryland and all the best way out to Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore by way of US 301-N/US 50-E till you get on US-13 which is able to take you straight to the island.
There’s additionally a southern entrance onto Assateague Island by way of Chincoteague, VA. Nonetheless, there isn’t a car entry between the 2 entrances and there’s no tenting within the Virginia district of Assateague Island.
The closest airports to Assateague Island are Ocean Metropolis Municipal Airport and Salisbury-Wicomico County Regional Airport, each in Maryland, however there isn’t a public transportation to the island so that you’ll wish to lease a automotive.
The Greatest Time to Go to Assateague Island
Assateague Island is finest visited throughout late springtime by way of late summer season. Since campsites are fairly actually solely a stone’s throw from the seashore, you’ll wish to go to through the excessive summer season season (June-August) for those who can to expertise the perfect summer season seashore climate.
The low season is a pleasant time to go to in order for you fewer crowds, however the climate will be hit and miss. You would possibly even encounter snow. Kristen as soon as visited in March and ended up getting rained on your complete time!
Issues to Do On Assateague Island
This lovely and rural island is an oasis for outside lovers, particularly individuals who love the water and the seashore. Assateague Island seashore tenting is unquestionably a spotlight of the journey, nevertheless, you may as well get pleasure from miles of biking and strolling paths that wind across the island. Select from the Wildlife Loop, Woodland Path, Black Duck Marsh Path, or others. Chook-watchers make certain to deliver your binoculars since Assateauge Island is house to a tremendous range of chook life and exercise.
Guests may even select to bike onto the island. From Maryland, cyclists can journey to Assateague over a bicycle-pedestrian bridge and observe a paved bike path alongside Bayberry Drive by way of 4 miles of island habitat. From Chincoteague, Virginia, a paved path leads bicycles from Chincoteague to Assateague.
There are additionally self-guided nature trails, surfcasting (fishing from the seashore), crabbing within the Bay, and naturally, swimming, kayaking, and windsurfing. Extra data on watercraft outfitters & leases will be discovered on the NPS web site.
For those who’re touring with babies you may as well discover the seashore lifeguard schedule on-line.
Assateague Island Tenting
Since Assateague and its connecting sister island of Chincoteague cross the state line of Virginia and Maryland, it’s essential to know that tenting is barely out there within the Maryland area of Assateague. Campgrounds are run by the Nationwide Parks Service and campers are required to make a reservation and acquire a allow for tenting. Whereas it may be aggressive, it’s not too troublesome to snag a main spot.
There are a number of completely different choices for tenting on Assateague Island out there relying on what sort of tenting you propose on doing whilst you’re on the Island. These fall into one in all two classes: RV tenting or tent tenting. It’s additionally essential to notice that there are not any electrical or water hookups at any of the campsites, so be ready to usher in every thing you want.
All tenting amenities embody chemical bogs, chilly water showers, and ingesting water.
Assateague Island Campground Map
Assateague Island Tenting Reservations & Permits
Excessive-Season Tenting
Tenting reservations for Assateague Island campgrounds are required from March 15 by way of November 15. Reservations can be found six months prematurely, however remember that just about all reservations for weekends are crammed the primary day reservations change into out there.
Websites are $30 per night time and will be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 (10:00 AM – 10:00 PM EST) or on Recreation.gov right here.
When you’ve made your reservation, you’ll be able to seize your allow on the entrance of the campground upon arrival. Depart your Assateague Island tenting allow in your automotive within the windshield or someplace that’s simply noticeable for park rangers.
Off-Season Tenting
For low season tenting on Assateague Island, campsites are first-come-first-served between November 16 by way of March 14. Websites are $30 per night time and walk-in websites are closed.
Assateague Island RV Tenting
Oceanside Drive-In
For individuals who are planning to RV camp on Assateague Island and wish to be near the seashore, you’ll wish to reserve an Oceanside Drive-in campsite. There are not any hook-ups at these websites however there are picnic tables and hearth pits out there to make use of.
Bayside Drive-In
Bayside Drive-in is basically the identical campground because the Oceanside Drive-in and is an alternative choice for RV tenting on Assateague Island, nevertheless, it’s positioned away from the ocean and nearer to the bay. A “Generator-Free Zone” is positioned within the Bayside B Loop.
Assateague Island Tent Tenting
Oceanside Stroll-In
Tent-only tenting at Oceanside Stroll-in is positioned 100-200 toes away from parking areas and only a quick stroll from the seashore. Fireplace pits & picnic tables can be found at every web site.
Group Campsites
For bigger teams, you’ll want to order a bunch campsite. These tent-only websites are positioned 100-200 toes away from the parking space and have picnic tables & hearth pits.
Backcountry Tenting on Assateague Island
For those who’re up for much more of an Assateague Island tenting journey, you’ll be able to go for a backcountry campsite. These websites require a 2.5 to 13-mile hike or paddle in relying on which web site you select. There are 2 oceanside backcountry campsites and 4 bayside backcountry campsites out there.
You’ll must get a 7-day backcountry entrance price allow for $10 an individual and $25 per car for those who’re driving in. No recent water is accessible at backcountry campsites and pets are prohibited.
Extra data on backcountry tenting at Assateague Island will be discovered right here.
The right way to Put together for Your Assateague Island Tenting Journey
The Nationwide Parks Service strongly suggests planning forward to benefit from your time on the barrier island and belief us, it’s price it. The island local weather and habitat will be harsh at instances whether or not it’s the solar or the bugs so that you’ll wish to be ready.
Solar safety
There isn’t a complete lot of shade on Assateague Island. Since you’ll be spending the vast majority of your day trip exploring the realm, you’ll be uncovered to the recent solar. Deliver loads of solar safety like reef protected sunscreen, hats, sun shades, and layers.
Some kind of shade protecting can be important to your day trip on the seashore. For those who’ll be establishing camp close to your car, try our MoonShade awning evaluation.
Insect Repellent
Through the excessive summer season season, it’s possible that you simply’ll encounter some relentless (and annoying) bugs. Horseflies and mosquitoes are recognized to plague guests throughout late summer season into early fall, nevertheless, for those who deliver good, non-toxic bug spray, you’ll be within the clear.
Climate circumstances
Since Assateague is a barrier island, it experiences speedy adjustments in climate – greater than you would possibly count on. Thunderstorms can blow in from the ocean and catch you off guard, so deliver a rain jacket and heat layers with you simply in case.
For those who’re tent tenting, be sure you have stakes and a rain fly to hunker down. The island has been recognized to expertise inclement climate infrequently, so be ready and prepared for no matter occurs!
Meals
The island is naked bones and also you received’t discover any meals shops close by in case you run out of rolls for dinner. So pack sufficient meals after which some. Listed here are a few of our favourite one-pot tenting meals.
Firewood
You should buy firewood regionally in Maryland. You can not deliver your personal firewood from out of state into the park. The island has skilled an infestation of Emerald Ash Borer Beetles that threatens the forest lands when guests deliver their very own firewood.
Assateague Island Wild Horses
The well-known herd of untamed ponies that inhabit the island are simply that: wild. Simply as you’ll do for another wildlife, hold your distance and admire them from afar. You will notice them out on the seashore they usually would possibly even come up shut, however don’t feed the ponies or attempt to contact them.
