![]() Consult the assortment of maps at the trail guide link at left. On Assateague Island itself, there are a lot of areas and habitats to explore. ![]() Often Merlins and other raptors hang out here. Year-round, the scrubby vegetation and grass near the marina parking area can hold interesting land birds. Particularly in the winter, the marina is a good place to check the waters of Sinepuxent Bay for waterfowl, loons, and grebes. Note that there is no public parking area at Rackcliffe House it can be reached only via the trail.Īcross the road from the Visitor Center, the State of Maryland has a marina with boat launch and fishing pier, and a large parking area. The trail provides access to the historic Rackcliffe House, a restored 18th-century coastal plantation house that is open to the public from May through October. The Visitor Center has restrooms, a bookstore, and emergency services, and offers park activities in season.īehind the Visitor Center, MD DNR maintains a walking trail that loops around an area of bayside scrub and wetlands on the shore of Sinepuxent Bay, offering good habitat for passerines. At the foot of the bridge on the mainland side, NPS operates the Assateague Island Visitor Center, which houses exhibits and provides brochures, maps and a film about the wild ponies. The Maryland portion of Assateague Island is reached from the mainland via Verrazano Bridge, which carries MD Route 611 over the Sinepuxent Bay. The Virginia portion is managed cooperatively by the NPS and US Fish and Wildlife Service as the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. This description will cover only the northern section of Assateague Island, within the State of Maryland. Assateague presents a vivid picture of what the Atlantic Coast looked like before beach resorts were developed. ![]() The Island is also famous for its wild ponies, which roam free throughout the island. The island’s rich mosaic of beach, dune, forest, and marsh habitats offers feeding and nesting opportunities for a wide array of shorebirds, songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and waders. Sinepuxent Bay and Chincoteague Bay lie behind Assateague Island, separating it from the mainland. The State of Maryland manages two miles of Atlantic shoreline as Assateague State Park. Assateague is a 37-mile long barrier island along the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia, most of the Maryland portion being managed by the National Park Service (NPS) as Assateague Island National Seashore. Based on number of species reported, Assateague is the #1 eBird hotspot in all of MD and DC, with a total of more than 345 species reported at the various hotspots on the island. Some restrooms are not available during the winter.īest Seasons: Year round, but summer is almost always crowded, even on weekdays.īreeding Bird Atlas Blocks:Ocean City CW, Ocean City SW, Berlin SE, Tingles Island NE, Tingles Island CE, Tingles Island CW, Tingles Island SW, Tingles Island SE, Whittington Point NW, Whittington Point NE, Whittington Point CW, Whittington Point SW, Boxiron CE, Boxiron SEĪssateague Island National Seashore & Assateague Island State ParkĪssateague Island is a unique birding site, offering access to the only remaining segment of unspoiled ocean beach habitat within the State of Maryland. ◾ Restrooms are at the Visitor Center, and there are restrooms in both the State Park and National Seashore. ◾ Don’t pet or feed or attempt to approach or scare the Assateague wild ponies. ![]() Be aware of hunting seasons and plan your visit accordingly. ◾ Limited hunting occurs is a designated section of the State Park. ◾ Be prepared for biting insects in the warm months. Annual federal passes and Golden Age Passes accepted. National Seashore: 7-day per vehicle pass = $25.00 also covers entrance into Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.Additional charges for boat launch and camping. Annual state park passes and senior passes accepted. All other times $3/vehicle in-state residents $5/vehicle out-of-state residents. State Park Day Use Area: Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day: Monday $4/person in-state residents $6/person out-of-state residents.Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. January-February: Open Thursday-Monday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visitor Center: March-December: Open 7 days/week.National Seashore: Grounds open 24 hrs a day, daily.Please check with the park before your visit if you plan to be in the park before or after the posted hours. fishing, boat launch, hunting where permitted). Certain activities are permitted outside of the regular park hours (e.g. State Park Day Use Area: Public access to the beach and the day use parking lot from 7 am to sunset, 7 days a week, year-round.
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