Why Assateague Island Isn’t Just a Summer Destination
In April of 2024, I took a trip to Assateague Island for my 27th birthday. While most people visit this spot in the summer, I opted to go in the off-season to avoid the crowds. While it was a little chilly, I was able to enjoy a really low-key trip to see the wild ponies of Assateague Island!
The Maryland Side
I started with the Maryland section of Assateague Island since I was staying in Maryland. The ponies on this side are owned and taken care of by the National Park Service. We stopped at the Assateague Island Visitor Center before we crossed on to the island to learn all about the ponies that live on the island.
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In Maryland, the ponies free-roam. You’ll see them roaming around as you drive around the island. We saw them pretty much as soon as we entered the park, which I was not expecting. They were grazing on the side of the roads and in the parking lots.
There are signs around the park reminding park-goers to stay 40-feet away from the ponies for the their safety as well as for your own safety. However, I saw many people ignoring this and getting in the ponies’ faces with their cameras and phones, which really aggravated me. It’s unsafe for people because the ponies can get aggressive (charging people and biting), but it’s also unsafe for the horses. If you visit, PLEASE follow the rules put in place.
The Virginia Side
The ponies on the southern end of Assateague Island are owned and taken care of by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. The Assateague National Seashore continues into Virginia and there’s a National Park section with a beach and the Tom’s Cove Visitor Center. However, most of the area is the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which has an educational center.
Aside from being taken care of by a fire company and not the National Park Service, the ponies in the south herd do not free-roam in the way that the northern herd do. The horses are fenced in for their safety because of the issues they have in Maryland with people trying to mount the horses to ride them, trying to pet them, trying to feed them, etc. After seeing the behavior of some people in Maryland, I can’t really blame them!
Also, Virginia is where the famous Pony Swim happens where the Assateague Ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island! It’s a week full of festivities in July. Obviously it wasn’t going on when I went, but I sure did learn a lot about it during my trip!
While I was in Virginia, I also I had the pleasure of doing a scenic wildlife boat cruise with Daisy Island Cruises. I did a sunset cruise to enjoy the ponies and the sunset from the water. My favorite moment was getting to see Misty Mills and her foal.
The other thing about the Virginia side is it has a lighthouse. Here, you’ll be able to visit Assategaue Island Lighthouse up-close and personal. It’s a very short walk from the trail head to get to the lighthouse.
Where To Stay
For this trip, I stayed in Ocean City, Maryland. I was able to stay in a beachfront condo with some seriously stunning views. While Ocean City is known for being a summer destination, it had a super laid-back vibe in April. I was able to enjoy an empty beach and truly just take in the views.
Because I was staying in a condo that was on the ocean, I was able to wake up and watch the sunrise from my balcony or from the beach that we had easy access to. One morning we even saw a fox on the beach!
The main reason I chose to stay in Ocean City was because it was extremely close to the Maryland section of Assateague Island and only an hour drive to get to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Plus, coming from Connecticut, Maryland was closer for the drive down and for the drive home.
Where you stay really will depend on what kind of stay you’re looking for. If you want a really low-key, laid-back vibe, I’d definitely recommend staying in Chincoteague. But, keep in mind that it’s small-town island and there’s limited options for food in the off-season. Ocean City is a great option if you just want to be in civilization. In Maryland, there’s also the option to camp on Assateague Island at the national park. In fact, it’s one of the best beach camping destinations in the U.S.
Takeaway From The Trip
I think it’s worth visiting both sides of Assateague Island if you’re able to. I think doing both during a trip is very doable because they’re not too far from each other. I was able to have a full day at both sides during a weekend trip. While the ponies are definitely the main attraction, you’ll also enjoy miles of shoreline, walking trails, and other wildlife that call this island home.
