Rate Assateague Island National Seashore
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
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Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Seashore
Operating Hours & Seasons
Assateague Island National Seashore – Maryland District
Open year round, 24 hours a day.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Assateague Island National Seashore – Virginia District
Open January-February: 6 am – 6 pm. March-April: 6 am – 8 pm. May-September: 5 am – 10 pm. October: 6 am – 8 pm. November-December: 6 am – 6 pm.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Monday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Tuesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Wednesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Thursday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Friday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Saturday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $20.00 – Assateague 7 day per vehicle pass
Entrance into Assateague Island National Seashore & Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Valid for 7 days. - $20.00 – Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Weekly Pass
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Daily Pass is valid for vehicle entry to Assateague Island National Seashore for 7 days. Purchased at the Chincoteague NWR.
Entrance Passes:
- $40.00 – Assateague Island National Seashore Annual Pass
Valid for 1 year from month of purchase for entry to Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge. - $40.00 – Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Annual Pass
(valid for 1 year) - $15.00 – Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Annual Beach Parking Permit
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Annual Beach Parking Permit combined with the Federal Duck Stamp will gain entry into Assateague Island National Seashore for 1 vehicle. (valid for 1 year, July 1 to June 30, at all National Wildlife Refuges)
About
Life on the Edge
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.
Directions
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.
Visitor Centers
Toms Cove Visitor Center
The Toms Cove Visitor Center is located in the Virginia District within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Exhibits: Beachcombing exhibits, educational brochures, a marine aquarium and touch tank. Facilities: A bookstore, entrance passes, over-sand vehicle permits, overnight fishing passes, campfire reservations, lost and found and emergency services. Programs: Regularly scheduled park activities are available seasonally. Education programs for schools are given spring and fall. Assateague Island Visitor Center
The Assateague Island Visitor Center is located in the Maryland District of Assateague Island before the Verrazzano Bridge entrance into the park. Exhibits: Marine aquariums, touch tank, exhibits, brochures, maps and a film about the wild horses of the island. Facilities: Restrooms, bookstore, entrance passes, lost and found and emergency services. Programs: Regularly scheduled park activities are available seasonally. Education programs for schools are given throughout the year.
Weather
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.
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