Assateague Island: Maryland’s one-of-a-kind beach camping destination that features unobstructed coastlines, surf, hiking, biking, and one incredible unique feature: wild horses.
Seeing wild horses trot along the shoreline is incredible. And they’re not afraid to get up close and personal – we even had a couple of visitors at our campsite.
But, this island isn’t a secret – the word is out about the beauty of this place. For multiple years, it has been voted one of the most scenic places to camp in the United States by Travel & Leisure, Time Out, and Insider. This also makes it harder to get a reservation.
Here’s everything you need to know on how to stay at one of the best campsites in the U.S., and which campsite to snag.
Why Wild Horses?
One tale goes that the Assateague Island horses are descendants of those that survived a shipwreck hundreds of years ago. Another explanation is they are descendants of horses that were brought by mainland owners to avoid fencing laws and taxation. There’s no concrete proof of where these horses came from, but the first story is a pretty epic tale.
Reserving Your Assateague Campsite
Camping is possible at two locations: the national seashore and the state park. One of the perks of Assateague Island National Seashore is beach bonfires are allowed at night. While I’ve only stayed at the national seashore, I’ve heard the bathhouse amenities at the state park are nicer. Both campgrounds are pet friendly, which is a bonus!
Option 1: Assateague Island National Seashore
Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15, and campsite reservations are available six months in advance. At midnight (Eastern Time), reservations open, and they book up within minutes, especially on summer weekends.
Campground Offerings
Assateague Island National Seashore offers a few campsite variations, with options for the oceanside drive-in, bayside drive-in, oceanside walk-in, and horse camping.
The Best Campsites
For the best campsites, stay on the ocean side of the park. We stayed at site #86 and loved the privacy the greenery offered between each campsite and that we were blocked a bit by the wind.
We camped at Bayside before, and to be honest, it was awful. The mosquitoes were relentless – I swear they were Deet resistant. Also, those campgrounds are blocked from the ocean breeze, which cuts the summer humidity and helps ward off bugs. Moral of the story – avoid Bayside campgrounds.
Option 2: Assateague State Park
Campground Offerings
Assateague State Park offers oceanside camping, with campsites available for drive-in, electrical hookups, and ADA-accessible options.
The Best Campsites
All of the camp loops are just on the other side of the dune from the beach, so there is some protection from the ocean breeze. Chatting with a park ranger, there are a few prime locations based on camping preferences.
Camp Loops C & D are generator-free loops for those wishing not to be nearby generators during their stay (less noise). There are a number of electric sites available as well.
One unique loop is Camp Loop I, located at the southernmost end of Assateague State Park. This loop is a short walk from the boundary between Assateague State Park and Assateague Island National Seashore. The significance of this is that Assateague Island National Seashore allows bonfires on its beach at night, whereas Assateague State Park does not. So, with a campsite at or nearby this loop, you would be able to enjoy camping at Assateague State Park alongside nighttime bonfires on the Assateague Island National Seashore.
Preparing for Assateague Camping
Beach camping with wild horses is an incredible lifetime memory as long as you’re prepared with these three main things: sun protection, bug protection, and a tough, well-insulated cooler. And don’t forget your state park or national park pass to save on entry fees!
Sun Protection
Assateague Island doesn’t feature a lot of shade. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a sun shirt, a hat, sunglasses, and a canopy. The weather can get a bit windy, so make sure you can secure your canopy well on the beach and at your campsite.
Bug Protection
The mosquitoes are fierce. Bring plenty of bug spray and wear long-sleeve sun shirts for extra bug protection as well. While I prefer using non-toxic bug spray, we found that DEET was the only match for the summer bugs.
Cooler & Meal Prep
Bring a well-insulated cooler to beat the warm, humid summers. Ice isn’t available within the parks, so stock up at the closest store, Assateague Market (they also sell sandwiches), before heading to camp. The park entrance lines can be long during peak season, so stocking up can help limit your excursions. Also, securely latch your cooler – the horses and other animals try to get into everything (they even snatched our blueberry bagels).
As for food, grocery shop before you get to Assateague. Options are limited closer to the campground area, with the closest grocery store about 15-20 minutes away. If you prefer to eat out, there are a few restaurants within 10 minutes, including a crab shack, juice bar, and coffee shop, but be mindful of the summer crowds.
Assateague Activities
Outside the campground, restaurants and breweries are a short drive away, with Ocean City about 30 minutes away. At Ocean City, walk the boardwalk, grab an orange crush (Baltimore’s unofficial summer drink) where it originated at Harborside Bar & Grill, check out Sinepuxent Brewing Company, or play mini golf.
However, with this being one of the most beautiful and unique campsites in the U.S., take the time to enjoy the scenery. Assateague has it all – swimming, surfing, kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, crabbing, hiking, biking, bonfires, and stargazing galore. You can even get a vehicle permit for an Over-the-Sand Vehicle (OSV) zone.
Pack a beach game (we love football and frisbee), pitch a canopy, and enjoy the sand, surf, and camping adventure.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve been to Assateague or plan on going!
Stay Wild,
B
