The wild horses of Assateague are a well-known attraction, yet there are other things to see and do on Assateague Island. The 37-mile-long barrier island lies in the states of Virginia and Maryland and connects to Chincoteague Island. Supervision is provided by the National Park Service, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service.
Climb to the top of the 1833 vintage lighthouse on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday between Easter and Thanksgiving. From Chincoteague you can walk, bike or drive to the lighthouse. It was converted from candle lantern to electricity in 1933. Featuring twin rotating lights, the lighthouse is still on active duty as a navigational aid.
Assateague Island Lighthouse
8231 Beach Road
Chincoteague, VA 23336
757-336-3696
assateagueisland.com
Visit the museum for a glimpse of local history, especially the oystering heritage of the area. All aspects of oystering are depicted, including breeding, growing, harvesting, processing, packaging and shipping the product. Listen to the narrated tour of authentic oyster boats. Other displays of island history include the original lens from the Assateague Lighthouse.
Museum of Chincoteague Island
7125 Maddox Blvd.
Chincoteague, VA 23336
757-336-6117
chincoteaguechamber.com
Birdwatching is a popular pastime at the wildlife refuge, the home of some 320 species of birds. View habitats in the refuge for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds and songbirds. Beaches, dunes, saltwater marshes, freshwater marshes and maritime forest compose the 14,000-acre refuge, which is located on the Virginia portion of the island. Begin your day at the visitor's center, which features interpretive exhibits. Approximately 150 wild horses graze on refuge land. Bike or hike the refuge trails to see wildlife.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
8231 Beach Rd.
Chincoteague, VA 23336
757-336-6122
fws.gov
Visit the park for the day or camp overnight. Swimming, surfing, biking, hiking, surf fishing, shellfishing, canoeing, kayaking and over-sand vehicle riding are permitted in the park. Special permits are required for OSVs. Each person can collect up to one gallon of shells to take home. The park offers a cell phone self-guided tour about the wild horses during which you learn where to see the horses, how to best observe them and the history of their origin on the island. Backcountry camping is allowed by special permit. You may bring your own horse for day use or camping between October and May.
Assateague Island National Seashore
8586 Beach Rd.
Chincoteague, VA 23336
410-641-3030
nps.gov
Camp overnight or come for the day. The park faces both the ocean and the bay on the narrow island. Swim, fish, hike, bike or boat in the park. During the summer, family movies are shown under the stars each Wednesday evening. Kids ages 7 to 15 can join the Junior Beach Patrol training program led by lifeguards.
Assateague Island State Park
7307 Stephen Decatur Highway
Berlin, MD 21811
410-641-2120
dnr.maryland.gov
