
ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CAMPGROUND
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.


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
78
Reservable
2
Accessible
WALK TO
63
Reservable
0
Accessible
TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC
6
Reservable
0
Accessible
GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC
5
Reservable
0
Accessible
GROUP EQUESTRIAN
2
Reservable
0
Accessible
MANAGEMENT
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
Phone
410-641-3030
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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