Assateague Island

Assateague pony 2 - Wild pony on the beach

Assateague Island is a beautiful barrier island, administrated by park services, permanently uninhabited and most famous for its charismatic wild ponies. The northern tip of the island is a Maryland state park, while the rest of the Maryland section of the island is a United States National Seashore. The southern third of the island runs into Virginia and is managed by the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. It is completely uninhabited and open only to daytime canoe/kayak and foot visits.

Introduction

History

Assateague Island National Park was established in 1943. The island has acre 14,000 of beach, a forest, as well as saltwater marsh and freshwater marsh habitats. This habitat is home to migratory birds, plants and of course wild ponies. There are many different theories to how the ponies got to the island; some say they are survivors of a shipwreck, but there is no evidence to support this. Others say that someone put the ponies over on the island so that they could avoid fencing laws.

Landscape===

More than half of Assateague Island National Seashore's acre 48,000 is near-shore and estuarine waters and the interplay between these waters and the barrier island affects nearly every aspect of life in this dynamic coastal environment.

The geography of the island itself is in a state of constant flux, continuously being reshaped by the elemental forces of wind and water. Powerful storms can dramatically alter the shoreline in a matter of hours, as waves wash over the beach and reshape the island from ocean to bay. Other forces sculpt the landscape in less obvious ways. Exposure to salt spray, lack of fresh water and isolation from the mainland are subtle, but powerful influences on the Island's species composition. Over time and these conditions have produced a community of plants and animals uniquely suited to the extremes found at the edge of the sea.

Flora and fauna

Sunset over the Assateague wetlands - A sunset on the bayside wetlands looks beautiful, but bring bug repellant!

While Assateague's wild horses are perhaps the island's best-known inhabitants, other large mammals also roam the park, including the native white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the non-native sika deer (Cervus japonica), a diminutive species of Asian elk introduced to Assateague during the 1920s.

Other inhabitants are less conspicuous than the large mammals. Seven species of frogs and toads depend on fresh water ponds in the center of the island for breeding and a variety of snakes, such as the black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta), can be found across the forests, dunes and marshes preying on rodents, small birds, or toads. Numerous invertebrates such as fiddler crabs (Uca ssp.) and mud snails (Nassarius ssp.) play key roles in maintaining the health of the island's salt marshes. Even the seemingly barren beaches provide habitat for nocturnal ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoons (Procyon lotor), who scavenge the crustaceans, fish and other organic matter washed in by the tides.

Many bird species make their home on Assateague on a seasonal basis. Shorebirds by the tens of thousands depend upon the island's protected foraging and resting areas during their twice-yearly transcontinental migrations. Each fall, large flocks of waterfowl such as snow geese (Chen caerulescens) begin arriving at Assateague where they will spend the winter traveling between the sheltered bay and salt marshes and fallow farm fields on the mainland.

Finally and the coastal waters that surround Assateague Island teem with animal life. The sheltered, nutrient rich waters of the estuary formed by the island provide ideal breeding and spawning habitat for many aquatic species, some of which, like the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), are commercially important to the local area. Each spring a variety of fish, including spot (Leiostomus xanthrurus), Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) and summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) migrate into the estuary to breed. Later and the juvenile fish provide an abundant food source for birds, marine mammals and larger fish.

Weather in Assateague Island

Summers are generally hot and humid, albeit less humid than inland. It rarely snows in the winter but there is often a damp cold. At any time of year, come prepared for potential high winds and always for intense and unrelenting, inescapable sun!

Travel to Assateague Island

Travel by vehicle to Assateague Island

Driving is the only practical way for individual travellers to get to the island (although it is very bicycle friendly). There are two access points for cars to get onto Assateague Island. The northern access point is in Maryland and serves Assateague State Park and the Maryland section of Assateague Island National Seashore. The southern access point is in Virginia and serves the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Virginia section of Assateague Island National Seashore.

To get to the Maryland section of Assateague Island, coming from the west on U.S. Route 50, take the exit for U.S. Route 113 south. From here, turn east onto Maryland Route 376 (Assateague Road) and south onto Maryland Route 611 (Stephen Decatur Highway), which will terminate on the island. Coming from points north or south, follow U.S. Route 113 to the Maryland Route 376 intersection and turn east onto Maryland Route 376 and south onto Maryland Route 611 to reach the island. From Ocean City, head west along U.S. Route 50 and turn south onto Maryland Route 611.

To get to the Virginia section of Assateague Island, follow U.S. Route 13 to the intersection with Virginia State Route 175 and turn east onto that route. Follow Virginia State Route 175 into Chincoteague and continue along Maddox Boulevard through Chincoteague to the island.

Fees and permits for Assateague Island

See #Sleep for details on camping fees

National Park

Entrance fees are $3 for individuals on foot or $20 for private vehicles.Both fees are good for seven days. A $30 annual pass is available, allowing free entry for one year.

{{USA national park passes

State Park

Standard day use is $4/person for Maryland residents Memorial Day-Labor Day, $3 Memorial Day-Labor Day $4/person. Non-Maryland residents pay $6/person.

Pets

Pets are permitted on the Maryland side of the island, including overnight, but must remain confined or on a leash no longer than six feet. All pets are expressly prohibited in the Virginia Wildlife Refuge.

Transportation in Assateague Island

You can take your vehicles to the State Park parking lot, or into the National Park to the North Ocean Beach lot, or as far south as South Ocean Beach. There is also parking by the National Park's boat launch, as well as the Life of the Forest and Life of the Dunes trails. Parking by the campsites is strictly restricted to campers with permits.

The park service allows Over Sand Vehicles (OSVs) to drive on the beach with a seasonal permit (predominantly used by local residents), which unfortunately will spoil any thoughts you had of a pristine walk on an unspoiled beach, or for that matter, peaceful, isolated beach camping. Edward Abbey would be appalled.

Bicycle lanes are present leading across the Verrazzano Bridge to the island and then run south all the way to South Ocean Beach in the National Park.

Otherwise, you're strolling along the gorgeous beach!

What to See

The Assateague Light House was built in 1833 and is 142 feet tall, it was first lit in January 1833. On October 1, 1867, A new lens was put in and it could be seen for up to nineteen miles. This lighthouse is now only open a few times a year for tours.

Snowy egrets and Great egret at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - Virginia - H - Stierch - Bird watching at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

The wildlife and wild ponies are without a doubt the star attractions. Bird watching is one of the more popular activities in Assaeague, but most people come to see the wild ponies. There are different theories to how the ponies got to the island: some say they are survivors of a shipwreck, but there is no direct evidence of this. Others say that someone put the ponies over on the island so that they could avoid fencing laws. To catch the ever popular pictures of the ponies walking by the surf and the ponies favorite beach times are early morning around sunrise, late afternoon and sunset. Around mid-day and the ponies are more easily found either by the road, poking around the campsites, or a little less often on the marsh side of the island. Ponies seem to love to go in the middle of the road after dark. You are a lot more likely to see them in the National Park than the State Park.

The beaches are stunning--huge white sand beaches on the Atlantic, unmarred by any buildings in any direction. (Although the beach is thoroughly marred by all the OSVs once you go south of South Ocean Beach.) Lifeguards are present during swimming season at the main section of the State Park's beach and at North Ocean Beach in the National Park. The National Park beaches are lifeguarded only on holiday weekends and from mid-July to the end of August. The water tends to be a little bit rough, but still OK for swimming. One of the more fun walks is to head north of the main swimming area in the State Park towards the northern tip of the island (and indeed, it does come to a narrow sandbar, where you can stand, neighbored by surf. This area is notionally and unofficially "clothing-optional," but it's rare to see anyone actually disrobe.

Muslim Travel Tips

Assateague fg03 - Beach on Assateague Island

Aside from the obvious swimming, taking a walk along the Life of the Dunes the Life of the Forest trails in the National Park is highly recommended. You will learn a lot about barrier island ecosystems in the process (especially if coupled with a free visit to the National Park Visitor Center on the mainland side of the Verrazzano Bridge). They are also fabulous opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. A colorful sunset over the marsh on the bayside of the forest trail is unforgettable. Bug spray with DEET is requisite for the trails and long pants and long sleeves are also quite handy.

Surf fishing is another popular activity, which will require both a fee and permit from either visitor center. Fishing is permitted away from the lifeguarded area of the parks (using commonsense to avoid getting too close to swimmers), as well as the bayside near the boat launches.

MD Coastal Bays Rentals - , at the National Park boat launch ☎ +1 410 213-2297 Opening Hours: Mid-April-Memorial Day: Saturday - Sunday 10AM Monday - 4PM (last launch at 3PM); Memorial Day-Labor Day: 9AM Monday - 6PM daily (last at 4:30PM); Labor Day-mid-October: Saturday - Sunday 10AM Monday - 4PM (last launch at 3PM) Kayak: $15/hour, $45/day, $65 overnight, $80 weekend; double kayak: $20/hour; canoe: $10/hour, $40/day, $60/overnight, $75 weekend; paddle boards: $25/hour, $40/2 hrs; bicycle: $6/hour, $20/day, $30/overnight, $45 weekend; clam rakes: $3/hour, $10/day, $15 overnight, $20 weekend. Weekend rates: Friday afternoon - Sunday afternoon

Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are available for rental mid-April through mid-October from the stand at the boat launch in the National Park. Thit is a great way to explore the beautiful marsh side of the island. Rentals will not be available in case of any small craft safety advisories. The boat launch also rents clam rakes and bicycles.

Over Sand Vehicles. Driving on the beach is permitted south of South Ocean Beach in the National Park for approved vehicles with a permit (make sure you know what you are doing, or you will get stuck). The way to make this a day is most certainly to bring some fishing rods and a picnic (locked in your vehicle to avoid attracting ponies). Permits cost $80-150 depending on what you plan to do and are good for one year. Make sure to read over the OSV brochure if interested OSV08-2.pdf. It is feasible to camp overnight with your vehicle in the Bullpen at kilometer 21.
Pony Penning Day. On the last Thursday in July thousands of tourist come to watch the "Saltwater Cowboys" swim the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. One of the best ways to see the Wild Ponies swim is on a Scenic Boat Tour.

What to buy in Assateague Island

On the last Thursday in July is Pony Penning day and an auction is held to sell wild ponies from Assateague. They do this to make sure the ponies do not over populate the island. Many tourist love to watch the auctions as well as see the "salt water cowboys" swim the herd from Assateague to Chincoteague.

Aside from buying horses one day per year and the National Park Visitor Center is a good stop for some souvenirs, as is the gas station/general store just west on MD-611.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Assateague Island

There is no food on the island other than what you bring and you absolutely must keep all food either in your vehicle or in an airtight canister, unless you fancy getting bitten/stepped on by horses. There's no need to rough it, though, as there are dining options a short vehicle ride away. And of course there is always Ocean City (Maryland) | Ocean City.

Assateague Crab House - 7643 MD-611 - ☎ +1 410 641-4330 Opening Hours: Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day: noon-10PM daily $10-35 Thit is the closest restaurant to the island and its seasonal opening reflects its principal trade in tourist traffic (and just that it's a crab house). The crabs are fun, albeit not the best in the state, whereas the fried Chicken really shines. For larger groups and the all you can eat specials of crabs, Chicken, plus sides are great. Remember, true Maryland surf and turf is steamed Blue crabs plus skillet fried chicken!

Decatur Diner - 9609 MD-611 - ☎ +1 443 664-6779 Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 7AM Monday - 3PM, F-Sa 7AM Monday - 8PM $4-14 Thit is just a no-frills roadside diner done well. It's just far off the beaten path to keep the prices nice and low. Breakfast served all day, with some fun regional specialties like crab omelets and scrapple omelets. The Pipeline, along with the Pipeline Burger, is their comically big heap of everything, topped with Cheese and an extra dash of grease!

Assateague has sinks and water fountains next to each bathroom. The water is perfectly safe to drink.

Campers are permitted to bring their own beverages. Those under 21 should be exceedingly discreet, however, as the Park Police have recently begun cracking down on underage drinking and those under 21 caught in possession of drinks can expect a hefty fine ($300).

The two good watering holes up MD-611 are the aforementioned Pepper's Tavern and the Green Turtle West. Nearby Ocean City (Maryland) | Ocean City, of course, has endless nightlife options, which most assuredly will be busier and more caffeinated than Berlin bars. Be extra sure to have a designated driver, as the Assateague roads are dark and hitting wildlife is an ever-present danger!

Green Turtle west - 9616 MD-611 - ☎ +1 410 213-1500 Some good soft drinks on tap, along with nice café food (especially the hot wings) complement the main attraction, which is the busy café filled with HD-TVs to watch just about any game that's on. Maryland teams, naturally, are the local favorites.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Assateague Island

Assateague Island - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Assateague Island, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Assateague Island. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Assateague Island and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Assateague Island. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Assateague Island. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Assateague Island: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Assateague Island.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Assateague Island: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Assateague Island, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Assateague Island.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Assateague Island, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Assateague Island, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Assateague Island and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Assateague Island, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Assateague Island, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Assateague Island without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Assateague Island is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Assateague Island.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Assateague Island is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Assateague Island, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Assateague Island Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Assateague Island

Ramadan 2025 in Assateague Island

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Lodging

Go camping in Assateague Island

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). "Generator-Free Zone" available. Sites have a picnic table and ground fire grill.

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 day per site.

Backcountry

It is feasible to back country camp in many sections of the island. Some of these are only accessible by paddle boats. When you arrive at the island. Check in at the Ranger Station and get your backcountry pass (US$6 pp) and you'll need to get a vehicle pass as well (US$15 per car). Proceeding on to Bayside Drive, you can rent a canoe or kayak. Some back country sites are also accessible by hiking, although distances can be long (and brutal in the sand and sun). Unlike the frontcountry tent camping sites and the backcountry sites are almost always vacant even on weekends in the busiest season. As such and they are not reservable and you can just sign up on the day of. Some sites will be off-limits if you arrive to late in the day to realistically reach them.

Canoeing or kayaking, rather than hiking, is best even for the closer-in beach-side sites, as the boats are better for trucking in all the extra water you will need (1 gallon/person recommended per day). If you are intending to really get away from it all, make sure to pick a site south of the OSV bull pen, so your desired Robinson Caruso beach doesn't turn out to be an SUV park!

Stay Safe

The usual beach hazards of drowning, riptides, sunburn, dehydration, etc. all apply to Assateague, although you can expect life guards during the busy season, particularly at the public beach at the State Park. Sunburn tends to be a bigger concern here than at many beaches, simply because there are no edifices to provide a retreat—lather up!

The ponies are beautiful and a big part of the reason that people come to see the island, but they are wild animals and they will charge, kick and bite if you get to close or otherwise provoke them. The Park Service recommends never approaching them closer than ten feet, although fifteen feet might be a better rule of thumb. Under no circumstances should you try to feed them.

Cope in Assateague Island

Beach campers far and wide know Assateague as the biting insect hell hole of the Mid-Atlantic. It cannot be emphasized enough that a visit in the warm months without a good bottle or two of insect repellent with DEET can be a nightmare and will likely end with you speeding off in your car, clawing wildly at your wounds. You can enjoy your trip quite a bit and quite comfortably if you simply remember to keep the bug spray handy and to either stay in your tent with a good book or drive to a local restaurant during the buggy dawny and dusky portions of the day. If you are going over to the bay side, wear long pants and long sleeves and perhaps a hat. The woods along the trails between the bay and beach sides of the island are by far the worst infested with the insidious little monsters.

Horses love the campsites and they probably love your tent in particular and they particularly love any and all accessible food. If you have food, it's really best to just keep it on your person or in the car. If you are backcountry camping and thit is therefore not a viable option, bear canisters or some other airtight (preferably double-bagged) contraption will be necessary to keep the horses out of your tent. If there are quadrupeds milling about your insect/sun refuge and you want them to move off, clap your hands loudly, while keeping your distance and they should meander off.

It's unlikely that you will have a problem on any given visit, but Assateague occasionally can be a very windy place. Happily this drives away the insects, but the beach can be unfriendly if the sand starts picking up (another reason why it's good to bring some lightweight long-sleeves and pants). And tents have a tendency to fly away even when the wind isn't that strong, as the camping ground is soft. Bring long stakes for the tents and possibly sand anchors.