Assateague Island is a 59-mile stretch of sandy beaches, coastal forests and salt marshes that straddles Maryland and Virginia. Most people visit Assateague attracted by the untamed horses. But if you’re looking to get back to nature and have a dog-friendly beach getaway, Assateague Island is hard to beat.
Assateague Island is perfect for a lazy beach vacation with your dog on the east coast. With miles of beaches, great hiking trails, paved bike paths and launching points for canoeing and kayaking, it’s a place to enjoy nature.
Assateague Island – The Raid of the Land
Assateague Island is located just 240 miles east of Washington, DC and is divided by the Maryland-Virginia state line. The south third of Virginia’s island is home to Assateague Lighthouse and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. However, some Virginia islands do not allow pets. even if you stay in the car.
Luckily, island Maryland has plenty to do.largely Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague Provincial Park – Maryland’s only oceanfront park – is located there.And, in an interesting twist, this national seashore actually more pet friendly Better than a state park!
read more ⇒ America’s Most Dog-Friendly National Parks
There are no roads running the length of the island. And to travel from the northern access near Ocean City, Maryland to the southern access in Chincoteague, Virginia, you would have to drive 80 miles through the mainland countryside. Therefore, if you are traveling with your pet, it is important to plan your accommodation accordingly.
Assateague Island Pet Policy
As we mentioned earlier, all of Virginia on Assateague Island bans pets, even in vehicles.
The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland, divided between the National Seashore and Assateague State Park. Each of these parks has its own pet policy.
Assateague Island National Seashore Pet Policy
In most areas of the Maryland portion of the Assateague Island National Seashore, pets are welcome year-round as long as they are kept on a 6-foot lead at all times. This includes most beaches, the water on those beaches, most campgrounds, and marina areas where boats board. Pets are not allowed in the following locations within the National Seaside Park.
- remote campsite
- nature trail
- Beach guarded by lifeguards
- North of the State Park Boundary to Ocean City Cove
Assateague Provincial Park Pet Policy
Pets on leashes are allowed year-round on the marina and on the mainland Luckliffe Trail. During camping season (last week of April through November 1st), pets are welcome on Camp Loops G, H, I and the beaches (and in the water) adjacent to those loops, and on the western hiker/biker paths . Campground road side.
When campgrounds are closed (1st November to 3rd week of April), all campground loops and adjacent beaches allow pets on leashes, including in the water. increase.
After Labor Day through Memorial Day Friday weekend, pets on leashes are welcome to participate in daytime use areas of state parks.
Dog-friendly beaches on Assateague Island
The northern entrance to Assateague Island can be accessed from Berlin or Ocean City, Maryland. The Verrazano Bridge crosses from the mainland to the island and into Assateague State Park.
Please note that the state park allows dogs only on the beaches adjacent to Camp Loops G, H, and I from the last week of April through November 1st. Pets are allowed on the beaches adjacent to all campground loops while campgrounds are closed (November 1st through the third week of April). A map is available at the visitor center showing the location of the campground loop.
read more ⇒ keep your dog safe at the beach
Further south, the Assateague Island National Seashore has miles of dog-friendly beaches. We welcome pets on leashes all along the coast, with the exception of the lifeguard protected beach directly across from the Bayside Drive-In Campground.
Away from the parking lot, the beach is wide, deep, and sparsely populated. After surfing, we saw people fishing, napping, cooking, and warming up by the bonfire.
If you want even more secluded, you can get a permit to drive on the beach. An Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) permit costs $110, is valid for one year, and can be purchased online. www.recreation.gov. You must receive a permit within 10 days of purchase, which allows you to drive on the sand after the pavement ends at South Ocean Beach.
see wild horses
The dog-friendly beaches are also great, but Assateague Island is best known for its herds of untamed horses. Descended from domesticated horses brought to the island in the late 17th century, the herd is now feral.
It is absolutely important that visitors do not feed the horses. This herd evolved to survive in the irregular vegetation of the island. Feeding the animals during the tourist season means they will have a hard time returning to normal diets when the crowds are gone. And in severe winter, it can lead to disaster.
Horses are smaller than expected, and in fact many people refer to horses as ‘ponies’. However, since they are wild animals, they may bite or kick you if you get too close, so don’t take them lightly. Especially if you have a dog with you, it is recommended to view it from afar.
Where to find Assateague wild horses
Finding ponies in the wild is generally very easy. Maryland and Virginia each have about 150 horses. And they like to hang out in small groups around parking lots or wander along paths and driveways. They also enjoy long walks on the beach, checking their picnic baskets along the way. So be careful with your lunch!
Worried you might still miss it? Just before crossing the Verrazano Bridge into the park, stop at the Assateague Island Visitor Center to pick up your “horse report.”
where to stay
Camping is one of Assateague’s most popular ways to stay, and Assateague State Park and Assateague Island National Seashore have beachfront, pet-friendly campgrounds. Reservations are required from March 15th to November 15th and can be booked up to 6 months in advance. But it fills up quickly! So if you want to stay within walking distance of the beach, plan ahead.
Also note that there are no restaurants, grocery stores, hotels or shopping facilities on the island. If you’re interested in these amenities, there are excellent pet-friendly accommodations in nearby Berlin and Ocean City, Maryland.
pet friendly berlin, md
Voted America’s Coolest Small Town in 2014 by Budget Travel, the village of Berlin has a long and interesting history. The present main street of the town was originally a road used by the Assateague and Pocomoke Indians. The road later became the Philadelphia Post Road, connecting the commercial center to the north and west during the colonial era.
Today, the city is an architectural treasure trove, with many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The old commercial buildings that line Main Street now house art galleries, antique shops, boutiques and some excellent restaurants. We chose Blacksmith’s cozy backyard patio. The staff couldn’t have been nicer about the boys joining us and the food was delicious!
We hope our visit to Assateague Island’s dog-friendly beaches inspired you. If you’ve already done it, tell us about your favorite activity in the comments section below.
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