Photo by Ara Cottle
Introduction
The beautiful Assateague Island National Seashore is located in Maryland’s Eastern Shore region. The park spans over a large area and features 35,000′ of pristine beaches, year-round activities and plenty of wildlife to see. The famous wild ponies on Assateague Island are one of the most popular attractions at this park! Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore is a fun and safe family activity that you don’t want to miss out on!
35000′ of pristine beaches
Assateague Island National Seashore is home to 35,000 acres of pristine beaches, which are open to the public year-round. The beaches are also open 24 hours a day and accessible to everyone.
Year-round activities include bird watching
Bird watching is a great activity for all ages and is especially enjoyable with the kids. The park is home to many different species of birds, including the endangered piping plover and least tern.
Beginning birders can easily identify common birds such as red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, and great blue herons. You may even see an osprey or two flying overhead! Birding at Assateague Island National Seashore offers something for everyone: from young children to seasoned experts. Watch how your family dynamics change when you start talking about spotting bald eagles!
See the famous wild ponies on Assateague Island
- The wild ponies are the most visible and popular inhabitants of Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland. They roam freely over the island, crossing beaches and marshes, eating grasses and other plants.
- Your best chance to see a pony is at high tide: look for them along the edge of the beach where they go to drink or graze. The ponies are not tame. Do not try to feed them or touch them; just enjoy watching them from a distance.
Swim, bike and hike in the park
The park offers many activities to enjoy, including swimming, biking and hiking. While the most popular trail is the 2.5 mile beach trail that runs along the coast, there are also several other trails in Assateague Island National Seashore to choose from.
The park also offers many other opportunities for recreation such as kayaking, canoeing or fishing on the island’s bays and oceanfront areas. Several campgrounds are available with full facilities including showers and restrooms. Camping is permitted from April 1st through September 30th only (with an exception being made for a few reserved campsites).
Fish from anywhere, but know the commercial fishing limits (consult locally)
While you’re in Assateague Island National Seashore, you can fish anywhere you want. However, it’s important to know that there are commercial fishing limits in place (consult with locals for specifics). If you’re not familiar with fishing or regulations, ask a park ranger for guidance and information about local rules and regulations. You’ll need a fishing license if you’re 16 or older; consult the National Park Service website for details on how to get one.
If you have caught your limit, remember that catch-and-release is encouraged by many fishing enthusiasts—it’s good for the environment as well as your wallet!
Lighthouses can be found throughout the area.
Lighthouses are an important and beautiful piece of the seashore’s history. They have been a part of the area since colonial times, when they were used to guide ships safely in and out of port. Today, you can learn about how lighthouses were built and operated by visiting Assateague Island Lighthouse.
This historic lighthouse was built in 1875; it stands 77 feet tall with a light at its top that once shone as far as 26 miles away from land. The structure itself has three stories: an observation room on the top floor called “the lantern,” where visitors can look out over the ocean; living quarters located below; and an engine room under all this that houses equipment needed to keep everything running smoothly.
Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore is a fun, safe family activity.
If you’re looking for a camping trip that’s sure to be fun and safe, Assateague Island National Seashore is the place to go. The park has a lot of rules, but if you follow them, your camping experience will be one to remember!
- Know the rules for camping in the park. You can’t camp anywhere unless it’s designated as a campsite by park rangers. Ask at headquarters before setting up your tent! Also, make sure everyone knows how dangerous the ocean can be. If someone is caught swimming alone or fishing without a permit, they risk being fined and/or banned from all national parks until further notice. Follow these tips when fishing: always bring your own bait; don’t use hot-dog slices as bait because they attract sharks instead of fish; watch out for seagulls who might steal your catch!
Conclusion
If you are looking for a fun and affordable family vacation, then Assateague Island is the place for you. It has many opportunities to enjoy nature’s beauty with your family. There are plenty of activities to do while at the park including hiking, biking, bird watching and fishing. The only thing that may affect how much time you spend here is how many people in your group want to go swimming at the beach during their stay!
