Assateague National Seashore

Assateague Island sits just off the east coast of the central Delmarva Peninsula. It is bordered in the east by the Atlantic Ocean and Chincoteague Bay is to the west. The island is in both Maryland and Virginia, but it is nominally managed by the the National Park Service, since the Assateague National Seashore dominates most of the land mass.

The coastline is a tourist mecca offering beaches, lighthouses, historic sites and, of all things, wild horses…

Assateague National Seashore

The island's three public areas are managed  by the National Park Service, the Maryland Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Private development of Assateague Island was planned in the 1950s. Parcels of land were sold and some development began, but a massive nor'easter destroyed all of the existing structures on Ash Wednesday in 1962. All construction was halted and the island has since been nominally managed by the National Park Service. 

Assateague Island is known for a variety of shore and wading birds like great egrets and brown pelicans. However, it is best known for the feral horses, typically referred to as Chincoteague ponies (or Assateague horses), that roam freely on the island. Another unusual denson of the island is the sika deer, which is a native of Asia and was introduced into the island in the 1920s. It is smaller than the native whitetail deer and is known for its elk-like vocalization.

Beaches

Beaches line much of Delmarva’s Atlantic Coast. It is possible to find some that are remote and uncrowded. Sections of Assateague allow some relief from the throngs of beachgoers. Nearby Ocean City, Maryland is famous for its iconic east coast boardwalk.