Camping At Assateague

Camping at Assateague will be a pleasant experience if you plan ahead! The barrier island habitat can be harsh if you are not prepared. Camping is available only in the Maryland district of Assateague Island. Campers are reminded to bring firewood (locally purchased), sunscreen, insect repellent, screen tents for shade and insect protection, and long tent stakes to anchor tents in the sand and wind.

Day Use Restrictions: Campgrounds are for registered campers only, all others are prohibited from entry. This includes wildlife observation and use of campsites as day use areas.

National Park Service Reservation System

• Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15. Campsite reservations are available six months in advance. Be aware that nearly all reservations for weekends are filled the first day that they become available.
• Call the toll-free reservation line: 1-877-444-6777 (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM EST) or visit www.recreation.gov.
• Individual sites are $40 per night. Group and Horse Camp sites are $80 per night.

Assateague Island National Seashore Campgrounds:

• Oceanside Drive-in: 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 available on a First Come, First Served basis from November 16 through March 14.
• Oceanside Walk-in: Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking areas. Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $40 per night. Walk-in sites are closed from November 16 through March 14.
• Bayside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill. A Drive-In "Generator-Free Zone" is located in Bayside B Loop. Sites are $40 per night and can be reserved year round, up to 6 months in advance.
• Group Camping: 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. Group campsites can be reserved year round, up to 6 months in advance at $80 per night per site. Sites are $80 per night. Minimum 7 - 25 maximum campers per site. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15 and can be made up to six months in advance. Group sites are closed from November 16 through March 14.
• Horse Camp: There are 2 campsites for horse camping available October 16 through April 14. Reservations are required. Each site accommodates up to 6 people and 6 horses. Sites have picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and hitching posts. The fee is $80 per night per site. Generators are permitted from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Visit our horseback riding webpage for more information.
• Reservations: Call toll-free: 1-877-444-6777 (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM EST) or visit www.recreation.gov.
• Campground Maps

More Camping Information

• Camping facilities include chemical toilets, seasonal cold water showers (mid-March through mid-November) and drinking water.
• November 16 through March 14, Oceanside Drive-In campsites are first-come first-served and sites are $40 per night. Walk-in sites are closed.
• Bayside Drive-in campsites are by reservation only, and are $40 per night. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance at recreation.gov.
• There is a 50% discount for campers with Golden Age, Interagency Senior, Golden Access or Interagency Access passports. The discount can be applied only to the site the passholder will personally occupy.
• For campground regulations or more information call the ranger station at (410) 641-1441 press #3

Other Camping Opportunities

Maryland
Camping opportunities are available at Assateague State Park and nearby Pocomoke River State Park.

Virginia
There is no camping available in the Virginia district of Assateague Island. Commercial campgrounds are available on the neighboring island of Chincoteague, Virginia. For more information contact the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce at (757) 336-6161.