Miles Kilometers 0 SECTION ENLARGED BELOW A TLANTIC OCEAN ASSATEAGUESTATE PARK @\ 679 To Wilmington STOCKTON POCOMOKE RIVER AuS" •.1 ~ STATE ••" ,,7" To Norfolk via ~ . SNO PARK \ (Wallops Q Bay Bridge- fJ2\ HILL. lJi3? \ Island ~ Tunnel ~ To U.S. 13& ~ TOUS.113&~tatio_n.:.)_.....JI.-" Q Washington D.C. To Salisbury Pocomoke City Pocomoke City tE-> Access to the Island. Visitor facilities are located at the extreme ends of Assateague Island-on the north near Ocean City, Md., and on the south opposite Chincoteague, Va. More than 35 kilometers (22 miles) of roadless barrier island beach and marsh lie between these developed areas. To get from one end of the island to the other, you must drive back onto the mainland and follow the route suggested on the map above. Driving time is about 1-1/2 hours. As shown, three separate governmental units manage the area within the boundary of the National Seashore: the State of Maryland and the National Park Service (N PS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior. You should become familiar with the regulations of the area you plan to visit. Camping and day-use fees are collected at the State Park and at all NPS areas. The National Seashore headquarters and visitor North Assateague: center is on the mainland just before you cross the bridge to the north end of Assateague Island. It's a good place to begin a visit-to look at the exhibits Maryland Section and to browse through publications or have ques- tions answered. Camping and Swimming at North Beach For Your Safety Seashore A Place to Get Away ... Regulations A barrier island, Assateague is a product of the sea Assateague State Park, Md., occupies a 3.2- In the Water ... Swim made of sand raised up from a gently sloping kilometer (2-mile) segment of the island just where there are life- o Pets are pro- ocean floor by the action of waves. The island's opposite the access bridge to the island. The guards. Air mattresses hibited in Assateague origins and continued reshaping give to it a rest- modern campground has hot showers, flush and flotation devices State Park; the Wild- less, distant mood akin to the sea more than the are prohibited on toilets, and 311 spaces for camper trailers life Refuge; Virginia mainland. (no electric hookups). In summer, bath- protected beaches; section of the their use elsewhere National Seashore; Assateague's low dunes bear the steady sweep of houses, bait and tackle shop, and food serv- is discouraged due to and in the hike-in and pungent sea breezes. Sometimes the island is iCE::facilities are open and lifeguards are the risk of a knock off canoe-in campsites. assaulted by forceful gale winds that drive sand stationed on the beach. in deep water or being Pets are permitted and high waves before them, leaving the shoreline blown seaward. Avoid dramatically changed. Gulls, terns, and other Immediately south of the State Park, the in the rest of the swimming in heavy Maryland section, shorebirds appear and reappear at the edges of National Park Service operates a seasonal surf. Leave the beach but they must be on the water in rhythm with the tide's ebb and flow. primitive campground with portable toilets during a lightning leashes no longer Assateague-its sights and sounds-can fill the and cold water only. For summer day-users storm. Back-country then 3 meters (10 strong need we sometimes have to just get away. there are picnic tables and a bathhouse. The canoeing has its own feet). Visitors to Assateague soon take to the lure of beach is also protected by lifeguards. set of hazards; sparkling beaches, mild surf, and moderate tem- thoroughly review the o Vehicles must stay Some State Park campsites can be reserved on marked routes. peratures; forests and bayside marshes invite canoe-in folder. discovery, too. Birdwatchers, fishermen, canoe- in summer. The remaining sites in these two Beach access permits On the Land ... Be ists, and beachcombers are drawn here year-round campgrounds, operating on a first come-first must be obtained be- wary of overexposure -indeed spring and autumn, with brisk nights served basis, cannot meet summer demand, fore traveling in areas to the sun which can where oversand ve- and placid days, give you a chance to avoid the but there are private campgrounds on the lead to heat exhaus- hicles are allowed. crowds of summer beachgoers. And, seashells mainland. tion or severe sun- and other cast-offs from the ocean washed up by Overnight stays burn. Do not fly kites o winter storms are a part of the excitement and Advance reservations are accepted for the near powerlines. are permitted only in intrigue of Assateague. use of special group campsites; write to the Barefooted children deslqnated camp- Superintendent, Assateague Island National in the campgrounds grounds, hike-in, or Assateague Ponies- Seashore. can be hurt by shells, canoe-in sites. Free Spirits of the Seashore ... glass, or hot coals left o Saltwater fish and Legend long attributed the ponies' origin to horses in the sand. Guard shellfish may be taken that swam ashore from a wrecked Spanish galleon. Hiking against mosquitoes, without a license only Recent research in Spanish archives bears out Backpackers will want to venture out onto ticks, and poison ivy in designated zones. the basic story. The original horses were much the beach. To stay overnight at any of three which are abundant Hunting of certain smaller, but they interbred with those that were in summer. Back- game species is per- hike-in campsites you must obtain a permit. imported from the mainland by Eastern Shore country hikers should mitted under State planters in the mid-17th century to graze on the and Federal regula- Hikers usually catch sight of Assateague's review the hike-in island. During three centuries nature selected tions. famous shaggy-haired wild ponies that roam folder. those animals best adapted to the island's harsh freely over the entire island. Keep a respect- In Your Car ... Go o A limited number environment. Today's ponies are still smaller than able distance because they may bite or kick. slow! Campgrounds, of dead and empty horses, shaggy, and very sturdy. Marsh grasses Please don't feed them. parking lots, and shells may be col- and bayberry leaves supply the bulk of their food. popular crabbing or lected for non- commercial use. There are two herds on the island. The Chinco- clamming areas are teague Volunteer Fire Company owns the ponies crowded with backing Leave all plants and Oversand Vehicles animals undisturbed. in the Virginia section and perpetuates the tradi- cars, bicycles, and tional roundup and auction during the last week of Properly equipped oversand vehicles are children darting be- allowed on a 22.5-kilometer (14-mile) beach o Respect the rights July. The National Park Service manages the small tween parked ve- of private landowners. route which begins at the end of North Maryland herd. hicles. Follow at a Some land is still not Beach Drive. Operators must have beach safe distance. Don't part of the National Usually appearing docile, ponies are unpredictable access permits (see note other side). stop suddenly or ob- Seashore. and so can be dangerous. They can bite and kick. struct traffic to Do not feed or pet the ponies. Enjoy them from a observe ponies. safe distance. 10 KM/6 MI OF WILD BEACH TO OCEAN CITY INLET STATE PARK (FOOT ACCESS ONLY) INFORMATION _____________ ~ -------.lC~E~N~T~ERCa"!pgro& und Reglsfration . I \:----BACK TRAIL OVERSAND VEHICLES ONLY (NPS PERMIT RE LUMBER MARSH J5:ISLAND SINEPUXENT BA Y NATIONAL PARK SERVIC HEADQUARTERS & VISITOR CENTER CHINCOTEAGUE BA Y .L- ...•-------- ",.....--- -----" --~---~~~~~----------- :p Interpretive Programs In summer, park naturalists at each end of the island present a variety of guided walks, evening programs, and other events to help you understand and enjoy Assateague Island. Legend Schedules are posted at campgrounds and Visitor Centers. Information iJ Parking III Bayside Canoeing Camping t'! On the calm, shallow waters of Chincoteague Bay waterborne explorers take canoes into Picnic Area m the salt-water marshes of the twisting bay- side shoreline. Three canoe-in campsites Bathhouse rmJ have been developed in the Maryland sec- tion of the Seashore. Canoeists should make Ranger StationH3 reservations to use the sites. Bring plenty Canoe-In Site I!J of mosquito repellent! A canoe launch area is at the end of Ferry o 1 Kilometer Landing Road. Canoe rentals are not pro- I vided in the area. Large or heavily motored I'-----------" boats must use public launch facilities on o 1 Mile the mainland at South Point or Ocean City. Miles Kilometers 0 5 10 20 30 40 60 ASSATEAGUE A TLANTIC OCEAN ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL SECTION WILDLIFE ENLARGED REFUGE BELOW To Wilmington NASA V. To Norfolk via \ (Wallops Bay Bridge- \Island 175 tunnel ...~----, To U.S. 113&~ta'io~n.;..) •••. \i3l Pocomoke City l!;J Access to the Island. Visitor facilities are located at the extreme ends of Assateague Island-on the north near Ocean City, Md., and on the south opposite Chincoteague, Va. More than 35 kilometers (22 miles) of roadless barrier island beach and marsh lie between these developed areas. To get from one end of the island to the other, you must drive back onto the mainland and follow the route suggested on the map above. Driving time is about 1-1/2 hours. As shown, three separate governmental units manage the area within the boundary of the National Seashore: the State of Maryland and the National Park Service (N PS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the U.S.