Assateague Island is a 37-mile barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean straddling Maryland and Virginia. From Annapolis, Md., drive about 100 miles southeast on U.S. 50 to Route 611 and turn south. Route 611 ends at Assateague. From Norfolk, Va., drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on U.S. 13 and drive 92 miles to Oak Hall. Turn east on Route 175 and drive about 15 miles through Chincoteague to Assateague. The island includes the Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park in Maryland and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia.
Admission: $10 for a seven-day pass by car to Assateague Island National Seashore; $15 for an annual vehicle pass; $3 for a seven-day walking or bicycle pass; $70 for an annual pass for an off-road vehicle. A fence separates the Virginia portion of the island from the Maryland portion, so it is not possible to drive the entire length of the island. Assateague Island State Park in Maryland charges $2 per person, excluding children in car seats and senior citizens, between Memorial Day and Labor Day from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Hours: Maryland District of the Assateague Island National Seashore is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The visitors center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Virginia District is open year-round with hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November through March, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in April, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. from May through September and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in October. The Assateague Island State Park in Maryland is open from 9 a.m. to sunset year-round, but resources are limited and there is no camping between Oct. 31 and April 1.
Lodging and camping: There is no lodging on Assateague Island, but hotels and restaurants are available in Ocean City, Md., and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia, both very close to Assateague. The Assateague Island National Seashore offers year-round camping for $16 a night, first-come, first-served, from Oct. 16 to April 14, and for $20 a night (reservations recommended) between April 15 and Oct. 15. The Assateague Island State Park in Maryland offers oceanside camping from April through October. There is no camping on the Virginia side of the island.
Activities: Wildlife viewing, swimming, biking, bird watching, camping, fishing, hiking, interpretive programs, kayaking, nature walks and stargazing.
Information: For directions and more information, call 410-641-3030 or visit the national park Web site at www.nps.gov/asis/ or the Maryland state park Web site at www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/assateague.html