Description:
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Assateague National Seashore is located in Maryland and Virginia along the Atlantic Ocean. Of course one of the big attractions are the wild ponies that roam the park. As a matter of fact they will roam right up to your food on the beach or your picnic table. Lots of photo ops. Plenty of other wildlife such as deer and birds. Canoe and kayak rentals are available in season for use on the back bay. The famous town of Chincoteague is at the lower end of the Virginia area of the park. There is only private camping in that town, no park camping. It is about a 50 mile drive down from the camping area if you wish to visit (recommended). The only in-park camping in the park is in the Maryland portion about 8 miles south of Ocean City, MD. The campground roads and sites are paved. The facilities are "primitive" with pit bathhouses and cold, outdoor showers and running water access. It has two clean dump stations with water, one located near the oceanfront campgrounds and the other on the bayside. The park is run in a tidy fashion by the National Park Service. Generators are OK on all but one loop, however noise levels are enforced. We generally stay on oceeanfront sites, they are close to the beach, just seperated by the dunes. The bayside loops are also very nice and offer direct access to the bay from some of the campsites. The bayside also offers some of the best sunsets you will find. Of course the beaches are beautiful and not jammed up like you will find up in O.C. BTW, we prefer camping at the National Seashore over the adjacent MD SP campground as the sites are a bit nicer/more attractive (IMHO) and generally more private (however the SP has one loop with electric and all loops have modern bathhouses with hot showers). The state park is much smaller as it is located within the national park. Don't get me wrong though, the state park offers fine camping and beaches too. Lots of great bike paths and nature trails. You can register to drive on parts of the beach, there is a very active 4X4 / truck camper fishing contingent that uses the park, however camping on the beach is illegal. Assateague is of our favorite places to go camping in the spring and fall. Summer is very busy at the park, but is only for those willing to brave the BUGS, BUGS, BUGS. Generally you are pretty safe up to mid June and from late Sept. on. The park is open year round. My blood pressure drops about 10 points when I cross over the bridge from the mainland, into the park.
Following is a blurb from the National Park Service Website about camping at ANS:
Camping at Assateague will be a pleasant experience if you plan ahead! The barrier island habitat can be harsh if you are not prepared. Camping is available only in the Maryland district of Assateague Island. Campers are reminded to bring firewood, sunscreen, insect repellent, screen tents for shade and insect protection, and long tent stakes to anchor tents in the sand and wind.
Assateague Island National Seashore Campgrounds:
Oceanside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and an upright grill.
Oceanside Walk-in: Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking areas. Sites have a picnic table and an upright grill.
Bayside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and ground fire grill. A Drive-In "Generator-Free Zone" is located in Bayside B Loop.
Group Camping: Organized clubs and affiliated groups must use group campsites. Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking area. Sites have a picnic table and an upright grill. Group campsites are available for reservations year round at $30 per night per site.
Camping facilities include chemical toilets, cold water showers and drinking water.
October 16 through April 14, campsites are first-come first-served and sites are $16 per night.
There is a 50% discount for campers with Golden Age, Interagency Senior, Golden Access or Interagency Access passports.
For campground regulations or more information call the campground office at (410) 641-3030.
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