ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND campground
BERLIN, Maryland

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND

Mixed (reservable + first-come)
160 campsites
Open in maps

160

Total Campsites

Campground

154

Reservable Sites

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

2

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND

Overview 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. Favorite recreational activites include fishing, surfing, beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing. The Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) Zone at Assateague Island contains miles of unspoiled beaches managed by the National Park Service to accommodate OSV enthusiasts and other beach goers. The Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park, and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge work together to manage and protect this unique, diverse strip of land. For more information visit the Assateague Island National Seashore website . 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. Facilities Activities are abundant on the island, with both crabbing and clamming as well as a long stretch of beach for swimming, kayaking and fishing. 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. For more information visit the Assateague Island National Seashore website . Nearby Attractions 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. Charges & 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. Customers wishing to modify a reservation can do so online or over the phone with Recreation.gov and may be subject to 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)

  • 160 total campsites listed.
  • 154 reservable sites plus first-come options.
  • 2 accessible campsites listed.
  • Most common site type: standard nonelectric (83).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND photo 2
ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND photo 3

Our Take

What makes ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND special

Assateague Island National Seashore Campground is where the wild Atlantic coastline meets one of the East Coast's most enchanting spectacles: bands of wild horses roaming freely across windswept dunes and salt marshes. This 37-mile barrier island stretching along the Maryland and Virginia coast offers 160 campsites set just behind the primary dune line, where the sound of crashing surf serves as your evening soundtrack and the Milky Way arches overhead on clear nights. The campground on the Maryland side places you within a remarkable coastal ecosystem. Beyond the famous horses, the island teems with shorebirds, ghost crabs, and the occasional pod of dolphins visible from the beach. Surf fishing for bluefish and striped bass is a beloved tradition here, and the calm bayside waters are ideal for kayaking and crabbing. Peak season runs from May through October, with summer weekends requiring reservations months in advance. Spring and fall shoulder seasons offer milder weather, fewer mosquitoes, and some of the best birdwatching on the Atlantic flyway. Be prepared for the elements: wind, sand, and biting insects are part of the barrier island experience, so bring sturdy tent stakes and bug protection. The nearby town of Berlin provides supplies and charming restaurants. For campers seeking a raw, beautiful coastal experience where nature genuinely runs wild, Assateague delivers something no manicured beach resort ever could.

Campsite Inventory

160 sites to choose from

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

83total sites

78

Reservable

2

Accessible

WALK TO

63total sites

63

Reservable

0

Accessible

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

6total sites

6

Reservable

0

Accessible

GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC

5total sites

5

Reservable

0

Accessible

GROUP EQUESTRIAN

2total sites

2

Reservable

0

Accessible

MANAGEMENT

1total sites

0

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

Accessibility

Accessibility, Yes

CAMPFIRE RINGS

Campfire Rings

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Site capacity

Single, Triple

Check-in time

12:00 PM

Check-out time

11:00 AM

Condition Rating

Good

Double Driveway

No

Driveway entry

Back-In, Parallel, Pull-Through

Driveway Grade

Slight

Driveway length (ft)

20, 32, 34, 35

Driveway surface

Gravel, Paved

Hike In Distance to Site

600

Location Rating

Good

Max guests

25, 6

Max vehicle length (ft)

20, 32, 34, 35

Minimum guests

Yes, 7

Pets allowed

Domestic,Horse, Yes

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

Phone

410-641-3030

Email

Michael_Yandle@nps.gov

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND.

How do reservations work for ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND?

Reservation availability for ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND?

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND currently lists STANDARD NONELECTRIC (83), WALK TO (63), TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC (6), GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC (5).

Where is ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND located?

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND is in Maryland near BERLIN. Coordinates: 38.0833, -75.2000.

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