Assateague Island National Seashore

Quick answers

Is there a nursing room or baby care at Assateague Island National Seashore?

Mapped for this park: 1 changing table. Details

When is Assateague Island National Seashore open?

Usually Mon–Sun open 24 hours. Details

When is the best time to visit Assateague Island National Seashore?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, September, and October. Details

How much does it cost to get in?

Published entrance fees: free per person, $20 for a motorcycle, and $25 for a private vehicle. Details

When is Assateague Island National Seashore open?

• Mon–Sun open 24 hours

From 56 published days, 2026-11-08 to 2027-01-02; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays. Rest, relax, recreate and enjoy some time on the edge of the continent.

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Store / concessions, Visitor center.

Nursing and baby care

Mapped for this park: 1 changing table.

• Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center Changing table

When is the best time to visit Assateague Island National Seashore?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, September, and October.

The weather works against it in January and February.

The warmest month is July, with average highs near 86°F (30°C); the coolest is January, near 47°F (8°C).

September is the wettest month, with about 4.5 in (114 mm) of precipitation in a typical September.

The most snow falls in January, about 1.8 in (5 cm) in a typical year.

Typical weather, 1991-2020 (NOAA NCEI 30-year monthly normals). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (1991-2020 normals)

Getting in to Assateague Island National Seashore: fees and parking

Published entrance fees: free per person, $20 for a motorcycle, and $25 for a private vehicle.

Prices as published by US National Park Service, as of 2026-10-10; check before you travel.

Official facts

Adjacent protected waters: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. National Wildlife Refuge, Zoned Multiple Use, 53.4 km².

Protected waters: 197 km². None of it is no-take.

Boating: Vessel use restricted; anchoring unrestricted.

Fishing: Commercial and Recreational Fishing Restricted.

Conservation focus: Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage. Protects the whole ecosystem. Site-Specific Management Plan.

IUCN category: V (Protected landscape or seascape).

Protection level: Zoned Multiple Use.

Marine protection: National Seashore. Listed as "Assateague Island National Seashore" in NOAA's Marine Protected Areas Inventory, managed by National Park Service, established 1965.

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 26,977 acres (10,917 ha).

Designation: National Seashore. Listed as "Assateague Island National Seashore" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Managed by: NPS.

Marsh or swamp: Middlemoor. 0.58 km² of water, mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

Marsh or swamp: Rum Harbor Marsh. 0.22 km² of water, mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center (Office of National Marine Sanctuaries) with the US Department of the Interior, MPA Inventory 2023 · U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1 · U.S. Geological Survey, National Hydrography Dataset (The National Map)

At the park

• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Beaches scenic feature
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Pets are permitted in the Maryland portion of the National Seashore

Limits

All pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times

Park alert: OSV Status

10/30/26 MD OSV is OPEN to State Line. VA South OSV is OPEN. Beware of overwash conditions at high tides. The VA North OSV fishing mile is closed.

Getting there

There are two entrances to Assateague Island National Seashore. Assateague's north entrance is at the end of Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City, MD. The south entrance is at the end of Route 175, two miles east of Chincoteague, VA. There is no vehicle access between the two entrances on Assateague Island. Vehicles must return to the mainland to access either the north or south entrance.

Weather & when to go

Spring: Often windy and cool with lows in the 40's and highs in the 60's. Summer: Hot and humid with lows in the 60's and highs in the 80's. Fall: Warm with lows in the 50's and highs in the 70's. Winter: Damp cold and often windy. Lows in the 20's, highs in the 40's.

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center

Visitor center

Assateague Island Visitor Center — Open 7 days/week, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. — The Assateague Island Visitor Center is located in the Maryland District of Assateague Island on the southern side of Route 611, before the Verrazzano Bridge entrance into the park.

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center

Visitor center

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center — Open Friday - Monday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm As of October 13, 2026 — The Virginia District entrance is at the end of Route 175, two miles east of Chincoteague, VA. The Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center is located on the north side of Beach Road, set back in the woods. The parking lot is the second left turn after entering the refuge.

Visitor center

Maryland District Ranger Contact Station & Campground Office

Visitor center

Maryland District Ranger Contact Station & Campground Office

Facilities on the park map

6 benches, 1 changing table, 3 defibrillators, 3 first aid kits, 1 first aid station, 1 mobility rental, 1 picnic area, 10 restrooms, 14 visitor information.

Where to stay

• Back Country Camping - Green Run Bayside back country site · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - Little Levels Back Country Camping, bayside · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - Pine Tree Bay side back country campsite · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - Pope Bay Bay side back country campsite · 1 campsite · Accessibility: ll visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - State Line Back Country Camping; ocean side · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Back Country Camping - Tingles Island Bayside back country site · 1 campsite · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Bayside Drive-in Campground Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $40 per night. No generators allowed in Loop B. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15, and are available for November 16 through March 14. · 22 campsites · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Horse camping Horse campers must bring their own horses. Sites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and hitching posts. Sites are $80 per night. Maximum 6 people and 6 horses. Up to six vehicles or trailers. Reservations are required 10/16 - 4/14. · 2 campsites · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Oceanside Drive-in Campground Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $40 per night. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15. Loop 1 sites are closed from November 16 through March 14. Loop 2 sites are First Come/First Serve from November 16 through March 14. · 16 campsites · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• Oceanside Group Campground Organized clubs and affiliated groups must use group campsites. Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking area. Sites have multiple picnic tables and fire rings with grills. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15 and can be made up to six months in advance at $80 per night per site. 7 minimum - 25 maximum campers per site. Group sites are closed from Novem · 5 campsites · Accessibility: All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. America the Beautiful - Access Pass National Parks and Federal…
• and 1 more

Parks nearby

• Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens Protected park · 109 mi
• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Protected park · 110 mi
• National Mall and Memorial Parks Protected park · 112 mi
• Korean War Veterans Memorial Protected park · 113 mi
• Clara Barton National Historic Site Protected park · 120 mi
• Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts Protected park · 125 mi

Distances are in a straight line.