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Assateague Island National Seashore
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
8 reviews for Assateague Island National Seashore
I love this place so much I want to take it behind a middle school and get it pregnant. Went here twice last week and enjoyed it every time. It's about a 3.5 hour drive from DC, a straight shot on 50, and only about 10 miles away from the riff-raff that is Ocean City. For vehicles, it is $15 for a 7-day pass. Assateague has miles and miles of joggable and bikeable paths, and made me wish I still had a bike (it was stolen). There is also an area where 4-wheelers can drive right up on the beach. Dogs are also allowed on the beaches, I believe only in MD and not in VA, and not having a dog made me extremely jealous.
The beach itself (the people-only section) is pristine. The water is reasonably clear, the sand is really soft, and it generally doesn't get that crowded on the beach if you're willing to walk 50 yards away from the entrances. There's a North and South beach access entrance and is up to you which one you want to go to. The North side does have a much larger parking lot though.
There are restroom facilities there that yes, do smell bad, but as a previous poster mentioned, be glad that there are facilities at all. I did, however, try to hold it as much as I could when I went. For all the body/boogie/surf boarders out there, the waves actually weren't that bad and both days there was decent surf. Brought bocce ball, a giant cooler, and an umbrella and had an absolute blast.
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Where can you go to the beach during the summer with your best furry friend and have unparalleled experiences and memories?
Why, Assateague Island National Seashore is the place!
Pay for a yearly pass, or upgrade for a National Parks pass. The yearly pass is well worth the fee if you will visit several times in just the summer. As the summer begins, this area is super-peaceful and absolutely amazing. It feels more remote than it really is.
Take long walks on the beach. Watch kite boarders, wind surfers, fisherpeople, ghost crabs, horseshoe crabs, and yes...the crowd favorite and the park's claim to fame...wild ponies!
When more people arrive for the summer to see the ponies, I wish they would park in the larger lot and leave the smaller lots at the non-lifeguarded beaches (where dogs are allowed) to those of us who actually DO bring our dogs to the beach. Bring an umbrella for your dog, your cooler, or even yourself.
Camping here is excellent too, but beware because the green flies you may encounter sometimes on the beach are killer and will leave you sore for days! When you camp , you will have them as well as the beloved mosquitoes.
BTW the bathrooms are bathrooms at a National Park...we are lucky to even have them here-regardless of the smell.
We come here for the tranquility, scenery, and peace!
Excellent place to spend the day and enjoy a picnic at the beach!
I spend almost every single day of the summer at Assateague!
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Dear Assateague,
I've decided to give you five stars. I was hesitant at first but, justified it by telling everyone, "Make sure you get a camping spot on the dunes". The dunes are what makes this place awesome. There are only a couple camping sites (five or so?) that are in the dunes so they fill up fast. It just gives you an exciting camping experience instead of just setting up your tent on a flat part of the beach. That's all well and good, but come on now, who doesn't like dunes? You know me so well.
You have wild horses here and they must've taken some sort of ninja school because they will sneak up on you like no other. Who goes to the beach thinking there will be wild horses? I sure don't and they scared the crap out of me at times. Also, it's like your camping out in the mountains, make sure you hide your food at all times. The horses will be drawn to it and wreck your camp. Good thing they aren't bears so they won't attack you.
You do have some public showers and porta-johns so I wasn't without amenities all weekend. Although they are pretty dirty and make sure you watch out for that horse dung when you're trying to take a leak in the middle of the night.
I appreciate the fun times you provided Assateague. Needless to say, we'll be back next year reserving the same three campsites so we can recreate the awesome time we had this year.
Sincerely,
Craig R.
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This is a great state park - beaches are broad and tend to less crowded than Ocean city or Rehoboth. It's neat to see the wild horses walking around the island. Spent a night at the beach camp ground in the National Park - it was nice, affordable and you could drive to your spot.
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Summer 2007, I visited Assateague almost every weekend. I love the relative privacy and space for groups (compared to Ocean City), the beauty, the cleanliness (again, compared to Ocean City), and the wildlife. There are lots of activities to do, like canoeing, camping, biking and Jeeping, but I prefer light, non-committal activity like napping on the sand and wading in the waves. The bathrooms are pretty grodie, there's not much changing-room privacy, parking is limited, and you have to leave the park and travel a few miles for food (or pack your own). But, I don't know why anyone would battle Ocean City when they can relax and enjoy Assateague.
As a young girl, we camped here nearly every summer I lived in Maryland. Now I came back to see if it was still the same with my kids.
For a great comparision, visit Ocean City and Assateague. At Assateague, you will find nature in its purest form and people working hard to preserve it for YOU to view and enjoy. At Ocean City, commercial interests prevail, and you will find many business working hard to compete for your dollar as you enjoy what they have made of the natural seashore.
There is a lot to enjoy at Assateague, and Ocean City, but you surprise yourself and you may enjoy Assateague more.
Beautiful and easily accessible from DC. Not that many places where you camp real close to a wild and beautiful beach, watch horses pass through, and enjoy canoeing in a very serene bay (and even try you chance at catching some clams). The park is well equipped and bike rentals, canoe rentals, and clam rakes are all available.
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The best beach within a days drive of DC. Wild beaches and beaches with amenities all on a barrier island. You can drive out for over an hour on open wild beach, just you and sea oats, dunes, and wild horses. If you've had enough sand and sun head up to Ocean City just a few minutes away for a good ole trashy boardwalk with rides, tattoos and crabs.
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