Assateague State Park Campground

We parked the trailer in the pouring rain. Now I own rain gear... Go figure. :-)

We spent 4 nights there and it was amazing. There is so much to do in the area.

When we retire, we are going to take the camper and stay here for a week….better yet, might have to try the campground host thing……that's how much I love going here!  I'm sure spring and fall are best because bugs in Assateague are notorious!  It's also the reason that all of our trips have been in the fall!  It's so beautiful.  We have only had our battery power both times we have been there, but we've never been unhappy.  There is so much to do….walks, bike riding, watching the horses….our big joke seems to be that the horses show up the same time everyday and I swear they have a button up at the ranger station that they use that's like *Cue the horses*!  Seriously though, this is a GREAT PARK!  Bathrooms are clean and tidy, you can hear the ocean on a nice day….it's just peaceful and relaxing!  Never have too much of an issue getting the camper level and the sites are amazing in size compared to the commercial places close by.  To make a reservation, you will need to start going in when they let sites loose.  We'd love full hooks up here, but we will have solar soon.  Just so much wu sah there!

I'm including two trips to include our pictures from when we owned our teardrop Minion.  This is a fun way to get out of a tent and be comfy!  Highly recommended!

Very short walk to the beach! Horses came right up to the camp site one morning to check us out. The free showers were nice/clean! Had a very nice relaxing time here.

BOTTOM LINE: Assateague State Park was a fantastic family tent camping experience. 

BACKGROUND: We camped with our then-3 year old for two nights in early-October 2022 and stayed on the J Loop (walk-in tent camping only). The temp was low-40s to mid-60s, clear skies, slight continuous breeze. 

• Key equipment: Nemo Wagontop 6-person tent, Exped MegaMat (double), ThermaRest single sleeping mat, Eureka! Ignite+ camp stove

DETAILS: Sorry for the random order of things, but here it goes...

Assateague State Park is very well-run and in great shape. Rangers are very friendly, though we interacted with a few rangers/staff who couldn't answer certain questions (but they did try to help or found someone who knew). There are also camp hosts--long-term visitors with additional responsibilities for managing camping areas--who were helpful, knowledgeable, and nice. 

The facilities are really great. Particularly the bathhouses, which were immaculate for park bathrooms/showers. Expect potable water, private shower stalls with warm water, and very clean bathrooms.

Loops A-H were too cramped for our liking.  Spaces are very close together, and it appears >75% of visitors are RV/camp trailers, so tent campers were stuck in between towering, loud vehicles. I Loop was still mostly vehicle campers, but there was a bit more space. I'd consider staying there if J Loop wasn't available.

J Loop (where we stayed) is a no-vehicle, no-generator area. It's technically a "walk-in" site, but the parking lot is about 200 feet from the loop entrance (it took about 2 mins to walk from our truck to the tent). We were able to quickly and easily carry all our gear from car to site, and still manage a toddler running around. J Loop sites are spaced-out far enough that you cannot hear each other--even during the quiet morning period or in the evening as the late-nighters stay up by their fires--but you have the comfort of knowing you're not totally alone and isolated. From J Loop sites, the walk to the beach is about 3-4 mins down a pedestrian (and horse) only sand trail. In October, the beach was effectively empty. We highly recommend J Loop for tent campers.

Tent pads are soft beach sand. Bring tent stakes made for sand! Regular piton stakes will not hold your tent in even the slightest wind. We used some plastic screw-in stakes from Amazon and they worked beautifully. Recommend 10" stakes, but you could get by with 7.5".

Sites include picnic tables (very sturdy and in very good shape), with a built-in food locker underneath the table. Lockers are not raccoon or bear proof -- just horse proof. Being so close to the beach, there's a steady light breeze all the time; and sometimes it a mild wind with slightly stronger gusts. Nothing worrisome--sand and dust were not flying in the air or anything--but for camp stove bring your wind shield, and for tents be sure to use sand stakes.

Sites also include fire rings with adjustable grills. Fire wood is sold at the ranger station, $5 per bundle. It's mostly yellow pine, which burns pretty quickly, so you'll probably go through 1-2 bundles per night, depending on your usage. After hours, firewood payments are on the honor system (cash box), or you can pay by card during business hours. Firewood sold out on our last night, so I recommend stocking up for a couple days worth of wood at a time. Sites do not have much in the way of natural shade, so if it's going to be sunny and/or if you are particularly sensitive to sunlight/burns, then consider bringing your own canopy, sun shade, or umbrella.

Weather-wise, in early October, the temperature was perfect for camping: warm enough during the day to be comfortable in pants or shorts and a long sleeve shirt, but not sweat; but cool enough to keep away all the bugs, and enjoy the warmth of a camp fire in the evening. We were able to enjoy daytime temps on the beach, and we could splash in the surf a little, but the water was way too cold to go swimming. For sleeping, this time of year I recommend a regular 3-season sleeping bag, but bring an extra warming layer if you sleep cold. (Of note, during warmer months the mosquitoes and flies can be overwhelming and oppressive. We were lucky to mitigate this by choosing a cooler time to camp.)

The Nature Center was closed while we were there, but it looked interesting -- a small building on stilts. It wouldn't be enough to fill a day, but maybe an hour or so (pending any programming the rangers might have). There was also a decent little playground, if you have kids -- but who needs a pg when you've got nature and a beach!?

From the state park, it's a short 7-10 min drive out, around, and south to the National Seashore (operated by the National Park Service). Assateague National Seashore has some nice, but short hiking trails/boardwalks, a couple historic sites, and more beach to explore. Being an entirely separate park, you will have to pay to access the Natl Seashore. To access the Chincoteague side of the national seashore, you'll have to drive the 1.5 hours back over the bridge, south to Chincoteague, and re-enter from the south entrance. You cannot get to Chincoteague (Virginia) from Assateague (Maryland).

The ranger station itself is pretty basic. They do sell ice and firewood, but not food/water/provisions, and the selection of knick-knacks was pretty scant. 

In the future, we'll probably bring our bikes so we can quickly move between the state park and national seashore (it's probably quicker and simpler than driving), and we'll definitely bring our own canopy/sun shade.

The wild ponies are fantastic. The sites are level and paved. There is NO water/electric on the majority of the sites (there is both at the bath house, which is clean and remodeled and beautiful). There is also zero shade (which was great because I was charging my teardrop via solar panels).

The bugs will eat you alive. Bring bug spray. And fly paper strips.

Playing on the beach in the evening, watching dolphins just yards away, waking up with horses in your campsite - what’s not to love.

Facilities were nice.

Cell coverage good.

Plenty of things to do in the area.

We stayed for 1 week. We had an excellent site, clean bath houses,beautiful beach and nice hikes. Staff was very pleasant and friendly.

We spent 2 weeks camping at the Assateague National Seashore campground! We had an excellent site,clean bath houses (only bad thing is cold showers) great hikes and miles of beautiful beach!! Highly recommend you give it a try!

Great park but should have more sites with electric. The ones that do you have to reserve way in advance.

If you want to spend some quality time on the beach not crowded, this is the place to be.

Bathrooms are clean and showers are separate from the bathrooms, which I liked.

Campgrounds are pretty basic and are very open without any shades. Wind can get really wild for tent campers. Wild horses roam around even at night times so keep your food inside the car. 

Ocean City is just 30 min drive from the campground.

Overall, we loved it.

 If I could give them a negative star I would. My daughter(5) was attacked by a Pitt bull while riding her bike at our site( loop h). When trying to confront the owners in(loop g) to get their site to report to the police they refused to give any information and proceeded to speak vulgarity. Then stated their dog never bit her when I witnessed the incident as well as another family. The family lied to the ranger saying their dog never touched my daughter and the ranger made not only my family leave but my parents as well who had another week to stay. Im extremely disappointed that my daughter's well-being was never discussed it was if they didn't care. They never even came to our site I had to the ranger again to even have someone come to my site. The pet rules state that any pet that is dangerous loud or is a problem at the park would be ask to leave immediately however they were not told to leave. My family had to.

The massive state park on the ocean and next door to the Assateague National Seashore offers a large number of campsites with paved parking pads as well as a few walk-in sites for tents only(J-loop). Because it’s at the beach, there are no trees to provide shade, so it’s worth pacing a canopy for shade or even a shade house for both shade and insect protection. Plan to keep your food items secured in your vehicle or at least a locking cooler because the other visitors to the campsites, the wild horses or Assateague, have the run of the place and they’ve learned that they can find food at the campground. Alcohol not permitted.

There are group campsite available as well.

Some of the sites at the edge of the loop closest to the to the beach are a bit larger, but size is not an issue with any of these sites. Showers are available at the bathrooms. You have easy access to the beach just over the dunes and it’s worth getting up to see the sunrise.  Generator noise can be an issue from sites that don't offer electric. There's a fee to use the boat launch at the park. Fishing is permitted from the beach and bay marina.

You can explore Assateague National Seashore as well, but keep in mind that there is a separate entrance fee for that area. Camping in the national seashore is more rustic, but less crowded. There’s ORV travel permitted…the line forms early in the morning! You can also rent kayak at the national lakeshore.

i've camped here 3 times, twice at a group campground and once at a single. the sites are right on the beach, there are bathrooms, showers, and places to grab food and firewood. there's also a bayside to explore if you're looking for calmer waters. on top of it all: wild ponies roam around so like, win win win.

Assateague State Park is a very well run campground with a prime location by a lovely wild beach.  We visited in May - it was very windy and a bit cold, but no bugs!  The best thing about this place are the sparkling clean bathrooms with flush toilets and free hot water showers.  They also offer sinks with running hot water for washing dishes which makes more ambitious campsite cooking a breeze.  We also loved the horses, but you do have to be very mindful and careful with food and trash.  We witnessed a neighbor’s campsite being pulled apart by horses who had been attracted by food on a picnic table.   While there’s little privacy from the neighbors, everyone was very nice and chatty.  We had a great time.

This campground is for beach lovers! That’s not me and what it gets a 3 star for. I would say 5 star for the wild horse experience. As for the campground, it has no trees or cover. If there is any bad weather and you’re in a tent... good luck. The bugs/fleas are horrible. But it’s right on the water so an easy walk to the beach.

Make no mistake, this is beach camping, but it is the best. Despite constant 20mph winds for the first two days which prevented us from pitching our tent (we slept in our SUV just fine) we had a blast. It was a bonus when we got the tent up, but the hiking, relaxing on the beach, campfire and watching the wild ponies is unbeatable.

Site Details: We stayed on site #I328, in the I loop at the very end of the campground. The site was level but on the small side; I wouldn’t recommend attempting to fit in with anything larger than a pop-up or hybrid. That said, it had electrical service(a hot commodity in this park!), and was well situated, with a nice open space between the edge of the site and the dunes. This open space was pretty low-lying, so I imagine flooding/standing water could bring some major bug issues in the summer. As with all other loops in the park, this loop is separated from the beach by a row of sand dunes, so beach access is very quick and easy. There is no shade to speak of; all sites are surrounded by scrub brush and other plants typical of a beach/marsh environment. Watch out for sandburs! 

Facilities/Overall Park: Assateague SP is widely known, loved, and hard to book for a reason. The scenery and setting simply cannot be beat. The beautiful beaches, unspoiled natural setting, and wild ponies all make for an incredible and truly unique camping experience. Additionally, the rangers are very helpful, and the bath houses are pristine. We visited in the fall, and the weather happened to be perfect, with no bugs. Based on other campers’ experiences, as well as having grown up on the Eastern Shore, I would honestly avoid the summertime due to the extreme heat and bugs. Summertime is undoubtedly a more popular time, and a more convenient time for many to travel and take advantage of the beach, but I’d lean toward going in the fall if you can. 

Surrounding Area/Attractions: There is so much to do and see nearby, if you can tear yourself away from the park. The state park sits adjacent to Assateague National Seashore, with its own visitor center, campground, and beaches. The NP side has more primitive facilities, and tends to be less crowded and a bit more “wild.” Outside the island, there is of course Ocean City nearby, with plenty to do, see, and eat. It’s a typical tourist beach town, which I have no desire to visit again, but might be worth checking out if you’re into boardwalks, shopping, mini golf, etc. If you do go, make sure to grab some Thrasher’s fries and Fisher’s popcorn. Also nearby is the cute small town of Berlin. 

Overall, this is a fantastic park for beach and nature lovers, and lives up to its hype. Make sure you book far in advance (especially for the electric sites!); be prepared for bugs, heat, and wind; and you’ll be sure to have a memorable experience.

A few chilly nights to avoid the bugs. Vegetation made our site feel a bit more private.

We loved our three night trip. The weather was great minus a terrible mist that came off the ocean one of the evenings.

The bathroom is clean and modern. There are two outdoor showers which were a real treat one warm evening.

Some of the island’s wild horses visited our campsite. You have to make sure every bit of food is put away. Do not feed them as that takes the wild nature out of them.

We met some wonderful people there from all over the east coast. The sites are spaced pretty tightly.

There are no wooded spots. So bring a sun shade or umbrella. Even in late October, it was bright and hot.

There are a few short trails in the National park which were nice.

Great site ! Most of the sites are non- power or water hookup, but you can bring a generator to use

Camp sites are level and big Plus you may get a visit from a pony or two

Beach camping at its best. Great FREE hot indoor and outdoor showers. Clean facilities and sites. Campground hosts friendly and helpful. Some sites allow dogs and you can fall asleep to the sound of crickets and waves!

Love this campground! It is beautiful and right on the beach! Campsites are generally roomy and well spaced apart. Bathrooms are HUGE and clean, the cleanest campground bathroom I've ever seen. However, this means that a lot of teenagers spend their time in there, ha. There is an outdoor shower and sink as well as several paths to the beach. The beach is beautiful and clean. I wish there were bathrooms closer to the beach though, you have to walk all the way back over the dunes to the bathroom, but that's just us being lazy. The downside to this place is that it is HARD to book. It is almost always full and you have to book at least a year out for peak weekends. Some sites are near the grassy areas and have cacti and burrs. I am not sure why they don't go and remove the cacti. These are dangerous for kids, pets and adults alike. We've been injured several times. There are horses walking around all the time, and they DO get up in your face! I cannot believe how many people idiotically stand too close to the horses or just freak out and let the horses ravage their trash, etc. PAY attention, keep trash tied up and food put away. Tip- if the horses come too close, splash water on them (from a safe distance). There are mosquitoes and flies too. Bring bug spray! Also, another great thing is that Ocean City is only a 15 minute drive. We like to go out to the boardwalk or to the beach/bars and then come back to the campground. Really nice!

Great campground and park. Sites are somewhat well separated, some on the grass, some right on the dunes. The restrooms are probably the best we've seen amongst any Md campground. Beaches are very very enjoyable. Only downside I can think of is how hard it is to book a site (we book ours a year in advance and it still a race). Something to keep in mind is that, because of the natural layout of the park, no shade is provided by trees, be prepared. Great place to go

You can’t beat Assateague. It’s a long running family tradition to camp here for many. Amazing scenery and a very nice campground. Bathhouses are new and very nice. Camp hosts are always on duty and friendly. Rangers are helpful and knowledgeable. There is a camp store and market and firewood is for sale. It’s clean and well kept. Every site is steps from the ocean!

I’ve been going here for years, best place to camp.

Our site E-106 was a perfect site for my wife and I. Close to beach access, clean facilities and friendly staff. Surf fishing was slow but the bay offered up some opportunities to reel in a few fish. Warm fall temperatures, only a handful of other campers made our stay enjoyable. The campers we met with are friendly along with our camp host and staff. Beautiful sunsets, Asseateague ponies with there new foals and a beautiful full moon rounded out our stay.

Absolutely beautiful location, campsites were good, the beach was a short walk away, restrooms were good, just had to keep food in the car and not prepare dinner during dinner time. A family across the way from us had their dinner eaten by the wild horses. Overall fun place to camp!

They ate our pasta salad! Left a closed COOLER alone for thirty (30) seconds and they knocked it over and opened the Tupperware! Evolution at its finest I guess. The hikes are sandy and (on a non windy day) buggy but the water makes up for it. Perfect place to fly a kite by day and make s’mores by night.

Be prepared and you will have a great time, the horses are not shy and will be all up in your space if they like what they smell. Great place to have a bonfire by the water and if you go around late summer you can have the place all to your self.

The park is really good for adventure seekers. The horses aren't afraid to come up close and personal! Would recommend visiting in late summer, early fall to avoid the crowds.