Do you like to spend your day trips to that place where you all get to see wildlife, walking on the side of beaches with salt marches & have multiple activities to enjoy? Then add this place to the bucket list for a day trip and that is Assateague Island National Seashore. Assateague Island National Seashore is situated in the western side of Delerma Peninsula. It is a 37 mile long island which is protected with the help of the long barrier island of the coast of Maryland and Virginia.

There are many things to do in this island but the most famous is to watch the herds of feral wild horses or ponies. Other than this, people can also enjoy pristine beaches, camping & wildlife viewing. It does not matter if you are a nature enthusiast or adventure lover you can experience both while you are visiting here. This place can offer you both in a single time. Everyone can find something that they love to do like scenic views, forests, sandy dunes, tidal bays and salt marshes. This guide will help you know about the history of the Assateague Island National Seashore. Keep reading to know about this place.

History of Assateague Island

This was first introduced for the protection of Assateague Island in the states of Virginia and Maryland. The island mainly was created after a hurricane separated the island in 1933. The island was created in the Assateague Island Nation Seashore in 1965. Before 1965 it was planned to become a private resort called the ocean beach. But this plan was not a success due to the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962. This destroyed the few structures which already existed on the island. This makes the island unstable to build so the housing development firm sold all the land to the government.

Popular Wild Horses to watch at Assateague Island

In Assateague Island there are 2 different herds of wild horses. These horses are divided by the fence at the Maryland-Virginia line. The national park service manages the herd in Maryland whereas in Virginia the herd is owned by the Chincoteague volunteer fire company. Chincoteague volunteer fire company needs a permit which allows them to have approx 150 adult horses on the island. This permit is also required for the maintenance of the horses. 80 adult horses that are Maryland. Every July there is an auction which helps in maintaining the herd size. This action is held on the last Thursday of July. This is the renowned activity in the National Seashore.

Best Things to Do at Assateague Island

There are various activities that can be done on the Island. Some of the activities are mentioned below:

Camping

The park consists of around 148 campsites. These campsites support both tents or recreational vehicles. In Maryland you can do the camping in an ocean side or a bay side campsite. The ocean side campsite offers a quick access to the beach whereas the bay side offers a better view of the wetlands. The park also offers six backcountry camping sites. 4 of them are located on the bay side and can be accessed by kayak or hiking.

Hiking

On this island there are three different treks, all of which are under a mile long.

Marsh Trail– It is a half a mile long trail and is an elevated boardwalk over the marsh. The elevated spot gives relief from mosquitos and also provides an excellent view.
Forest Trail– This trail is also a half a mile long trail. The trail is easy to walk around and has a hard pack surface. It is also surrounded by trees which provide shade and reliefs from the heat.
Dunes Trail– It is a three-quarter miles long sand trail. This offers many things like plants of this habitat and a section of the road which has existed there from before the place got destroyed before the 1962 strom.

Swimming

The National Seashore offers beaches with lifeguards. These are available in both Maryland and Virginia. Swimming is allowed within the lifeguarded area as going beyond that can be risky because of strong currents and surfing. Surfing is prohibited inside the lifeguarded area. In summers the lifeguards are available from 10 am to 5 pm.

Fishing

Catching saltwater fish is a very fun and popular activity to do in the National Seashore. But for fishing, anglers must be at least 16 years old and also have a permit. Different species of fish like striped bass, flounder and bluefish can be found here.

Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding is a very fun activity to do in Assateague Island. Very specific areas are only allowed to have horseback riding. You can also ride horses in the Over Sand Vehicle area. But, for experiencing horseback riding you must bring your own horse as the National Seashore doesn’t allow renting of horses. In Maryland horseback riding is permitted from October to May and in Virginia it is allowed throughout the year.

Wildlife and Nature

The island is filled with multiple types of plants & animals. Ecosystems like sandy dunes, salt marshes, forests & tidal bays exist here & support various wildlife species. Other than wild ponies you can also see different types of animals & birds like

White Tailed Dear
Red Foxes
Rabbits
Racoons
Eagles
Peregrine Falcons
Herons
Horses

The place also offers coastal life also like Dolphins, Crabs and various Fish.

Beaches in Assateague Island

The beaches offered at the Island are one of the beautiful and unspoiled beaches.

Maryland District Beaches (Ocean Side)

As the name suggests this is situated in the Maryland side. This is the most popular beach in the Island as it can be easily accessed and also has better facilities. This beach provides facilities like boardwalks, bathrooms with showers, parking space, and lifeguards. The waves here are big which are very good for surfing, other than surfing you can also do fishing.

Virginia District Beaches (Tom’s Cave)

This beach is smaller and quieter than the Maryland District Beaches. Due to it being more quieter and less crowded, visitors with families prefer it more. This beach features a 5 mile long sandy and undeveloped coastline. The water here is shallow which makes this ideal for young children to swim. This beach is well-known amongst the bird watchers & photographers.

Ideal Time to Visit Assateague Island

The Island stays open for the whole year and every season gives a different experience. Despite being open for the whole year the best time to visit is the spring & fall seasons. Both seasons offer pleasant weather & fewer crowds. This makes it easier to watch the animals and the view.

Summers are also a decent time to visit the island. During summers you can experience more insects and mosquitoes which can ruin the experience. But because of the hot weather this season becomes better as you can enjoy water related activities more.

Tips for Visiting Assateague Island

This island is a very beautiful place to visit & you can visit it anytime of the year. While planning to visit the island you must get ready for some situations. Below are some tips that will help in dealing with those situations and make your trip easier:

Protect Against Bugs & Sun: This place has a lot of mosquitoes and bugs. To prevent this carry bug spray or anti-bugs cream that will repel the bugs or mosquitoes. You should also carry sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. This will help in dealing with sun and extreme heat.
Safety Around Wildlife: The island is filled with wild animals which can harm you. So you should maintain some distance, something around 40 feet.
Visit in Spring or Fall: These two seasons are the best to visit. Fall seasons offer the best weather and early spring is best for birdwatching and ponies.
Beach Gear: You should carry chairs, umbrellas, tent and sand resistance towel.
Camping: It is one of the best activities to do on the island. For camping the island has the facilities of a campsite which you should book prior to your visit.

Conclusion

At the end of this blog, I wish you get all the important details regarding the Assateague Island National Seashore. Assateague Island National Seashore is a beautiful destination for vacation.It offer you with unspoiled beaches, wildlife & a outdoor adventure. You can watch wild ponies running along the shores and also do stargazing while camping. There are many activities that you can do with your loved ones. It does not matter if you love nature or adventure you can find both in one place.