Stretching 37 miles along the Atlantic coast, Assateague Island is a place where the ocean’s rhythm, untamed wildlife, and centuries of history collide. Straddling the bo
Once part of Fenwick Island, Assateague became its own after a powerful 1933 hurricane tore open the Ocean City Inlet. Human-made jetties kept the new waterway alive, forever reshaping the coastline.
In the mid-1900s, developers dreamed of vacation homes here—but nature had other plans. The infamous Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 swept the slate clean, erasing buildings and replacing blueprints with a call for preservation. By 1965, Assateague was declared a National Seashore, ensuring its beauty would be safeguarded for generations.
The Famous Ponies – No trip here is complete without meeting the island’s most legendary residents: the wild horses. Their origins are a blend of history and myth—shipwreck survivors to some, colonial escapees to others—but one thing’s certain: they’re the spirit of Assateague, wandering freely from sandy shore to grassy marsh.
Birds on the Move – Resting along the Atlantic Flyway, Assateague is a seasonal stage for over 300 bird species. From osprey diving for fish to snowy owls perched in the dunes, the island is a birder’s dream year-round.
More Than Horses – White-tailed and sika deer slip through the forests, red foxes patrol the dunes, and river otters play in sheltered bays. Offshore, dolphins arc through the waves, seals bask in the sun, and sea turtles glide beneath the surface.
Camp by the Surf – Fall asleep to the crash of the Atlantic and wake up to wild ponies wandering by your tent.
Beach Days – Swim, surf, comb the sand for treasures, or take a permitted drive along the shoreline.
On the Water – Paddle a kayak through still marshes or fish the bays and surf.
On the Trails – From the Life of the Marsh to the Dunes Trail, short paths lead to sweeping views and wildlife encounters.
Guided Encounters – Join a ranger walk or boat tour to learn the stories of the horses, the birds, and the island itself.
Winter Magic – When the air turns crisp, thousands of snow geese and waterfowl descend, turning the sky into a moving canvas.
it’s a living classroom on how fragile and resilient nature can be. Every tide, every hoofprint, every migration is part of a larger story of preservation, written by the collaboration of federal and state stewards and the visitors who tread lightly here.