Assateague island national seashore visitor services. There are 8 ways to get from new york to assateague state park by train, bus, night bus, car or plane. Assateague island national seashore maryland district closed to all park visitors. Any previous permit must be removed or covered by the new permit. The northern tip of the island is a maryland state park, while the rest of the maryland section of the island is a united states national seashore. Heres where you can and cant drive, park on sand on delmarva. In order to buy a permit for over sand vehicle use on assateague island national seashore, several things are needed. If youve never done it, driving on sand like this is not for the faint of heart. Permits are issued for individual vehicles in the name of the registered owner. Driving on the beach assateague mobile sportsfishermens. Couple questions, can you get on the beach in summer. Specifically, you need a singlerear wheel, four wheel drive licensed vehicle.
If you plan to take your vehicle offroad on assateague island it is best to check with the national park service, as some of these rules are subject to change. Green run woods natural area is in a remote section of the island that requires either an 8mile one way walk from the last parking lot, or a 4 wheel drive vehicle and an oversand vehicle osv permit. The seashore stretches approximately 67 miles along the outer banks of north carolina and includes the islands of bodie, hatteras, and ocracoke. Best places for offroading near baltimore cbs baltimore. Assateague island national seashore campground, berlin. Assateague island off road vehicle information atlantic breezes. Surf fishing assateague island is further facilitated by good public parking areas off of several prime fishing locations as well as a four wheel drive access area that provides access to another six miles of beach on the virginia side. Ron humphress and his family take their lance truck camper on assateague island national seashore to relax and fish on the beach. Assateague island beach access is allowed for off road vehicles in maryland and virginia. The difference between using weight distribution and air bags to level your load duration.
The national park service may permit a special park use, providing the activity will not cause derogation of the parks resources or values, visitor. Using a 2wheel drive of any type or an allwheel drive lowclearance car is foolish. If you have a four wheel drive vehicle with good clearance, you can enjoy a truly unique experience. Assateague island national seashore maryland virginia. Yes, last week, on assateague island s four wheel drive area, a huge school of red drum apparently meandered close to shore. Yes, dual wheel trucks are allowed to drive in the osv area. To drive on the beach you will need a osv permit, depending if you are just going. All two wheel drive vehicles must have a minimum of 8 width of tire. If you have a four wheel drive vehicle driving on the beach is allowed with the purchase of a permit on the maryland side of the park. On the osv over sand vehicles side of assateague island national seashore, there are miles of unspoiled beaches with ample private space between each beach goer. The following is a basic summary of the rules and regulations as of summer 2012 for taking your vehicle on the shores of assateague island.
All twowheeldrive vehicles must have a minimum of 8 width of tire tread in contact with the ground. Assateague island national seashore outdoor project. Its two miles of ocean beaches offer swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing and fishing. As a driver, you never feel in control, especially with the deep ruts. Offroad vehicle access reopens on assateague island.
Berlin, md assateague island national seashore is announcing additional modifications to operations in response to guidance from the centers for disease control and prevention, nps office of public health, us public health service and the worcester county, maryland health department. For a truly peaceful and amazing day at the beach, assateague is, without doubt, the place to go. New york to assateague state park 4 ways to travel via. Here is an official guide to driving on maryland and delaware beaches, from lewes through ocean city and assateague. Specifically, you need a singlerear wheel, four wheel drive licensed. Cape hatteras national seashore, the nations first national seashore is a dynamic barrier island ecosystem preserving unique plants and wildlife. Know the trip cost from ocean city to assateague island national seashore. Assateague island national seashore is located off the delmarva peninsula and, with over 35 miles of pristine barrier island beaches, marshes, and forest, is sure to have something for everyone. I wanted to visit assateague again before my sticker ran out. The basic plan was to drive down on friday, get the orv permit at the ranger station on assateague, go check in and set up camp, do some bike riding, staging for saturday vehicle setup and provisioning, and hit the hay.
Marylands natural areas south carolina department of. Osv permits are issued for a year from the month of purchase. The web site lays out the rules very well, where to buy it, how much it costs, and how long it stays in effect. Over sand vehicle osv use assateague island national. If you have a four wheel drive vehicle with good clearance. Last year, journeys to this locale were a popular activity. Looking for a great trail in assateague island national seashore, maryland. Tires are not acceptable unless they meet the width requirement. From the instant you arrive in assateague island national seashore, youll have a mind for new experiences and be ready to check out the region.
Assateague island forum, travel discussion for assateague. If you plan to take your vehicle offroad on assateague island it is best to check. Budds creek motocross park, four wheel drive, four wheel drive vehicles, four wheeling. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. The bayside offers visitors the chance to explore secluded. Basically, you have to have four wheel drive, no duallies, and have shovels and tow ropes.
If you would like to venture even further into the island, you will need an offroad vehicle and to purchase a permit. Assateague island national seashore is a unit of the national park service system of the u. Below is an unofficial guide to driving on delaware and maryland beaches, stretching from lewes through ocean city where its common knowledge that vehicles on the beach are generally not allowed and assateague island. The oversand vehicle osv zone at assateague island national seashore contains miles of unspoiled beaches managed by the national park service to accommodate osv enthusiasts and other beach goers. All drivers must possess a valid state driver s license. A shovel with a blade at least 6 square and a handle at least 18 long. Driving on the shores of assateague island with the 4 wheel drive truck. You can access areas rarely seen by the public to enjoy breathtaking landscape and peaceful solitude while nature happens around you. Island beach state park, nj seaside park, nj mobile sport fishing vehicle permits and regulations telephone. Assateague island national seashore has two oceanside and four bayside camping areas for visitors who wish to backpack or paddle the island. If you plan to take your vehicle offroad on assateague island it is.
Specifically, you need a singlerear wheel, four wheel drive licensed vehicle, a towing strap or cable, a jack capable of lifting the vehicle above the sand, an 18x18 threequarters of an inch plywood pad for the jack, and. Osv permits are issued for a twelvemonth period beginning with the month of purchase. Pwc may operate, transit or launch in waters between the established park boundary and the western shore of assateague island, from assateague point north to that portion of horse marsh located due east of the memorial park boat ramp on chincoteague island. The 19 mile vehicle path skirts the atlantic shoreline and offers easy access to the backcountry. Best trails in assateague island national seashore maryland. Twowheeldrive vehicles must have a minimum of 8 width of the tire tread in. Fires are permitted on the beach at assateague island national. Assateague island national seashore, oversand vehicle use. Special use permits a special park use is an activity in a national park area that is conducted by or provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large. Philadelphia to assateague island 3 ways to travel via. Fall is the time of year to experience assateague island national seashore off the beaten path. Offroad vehicle access reopens on assateague island requires.
Bayside drivein campground in assateague island, maryland the bayside drivein camping on the assateague island national seashore is the perfect place to park it for a few. Identifications and notifications to families are continuing, so the identities of those involved are not yet able to be released. Permits may be obtained at the toms cove visitor center in virginia and at the sinepuxent ranger station in maryland. To find the car driving direction from ocean city to assateague island national seashore, start by entering the start and end locations, find directions and finally show directions to get the complete car driving direction for the required locations. Park closure assateague island national seashore virginia district temporary closure chincoteague national wildlife refuge will be closed for a portion of the day on both april 17, 2020 and april 18, 2020 to allow the chincoteague volunteer fire company to conduct its spring health check on the chincoteague ponies. Assateague island national seashore maryland national park.
The northern twothirds of the island is in maryland while the southern third is in virginia. An appropriate state fishing license is needed for those 16 and older. While anyone willing to pay the fee to drive on the beaches at assateague island national seashore can do so, i recommend nothing less than a highclearance 4 wheel drive vehicle as does the national park service. One of the best parts of assateague island is you can get a permit to drive. Bayside drive in campground, assateague island, md. Msfv permits for island beach state park can be purchased at the gate house entrance. Only those with a valid overnight fishing permit may remain in the refuge after hours.
Does assateague island have air pumps to reinflate my tires. All vehicles using the orv zone must display a valid permit that is permanently affixed on the driver s side of the front bumper. The maryland portion of assateague has an orv zone 12 miles in length, with a 145 vehicle limit. Never attempt to use vehicles with two or allwheel drive for the beach. Assateague island national seashore oversand vehicle zone. Apr 16, 20 in order to buy a permit for over sand vehicle use on assateague island national seashore, several things are needed. Assateague anglers in search of surf catches can now travel down to the hook. Threevehicle crash on road to assateague island under. The permit sticker must be permanently attached to your windshield. The maryland section contains the majority of assateague island national seashore and assateague state park. Our guide to assateague island gives you expert recommendations on the best attractions, restaurants, hotels, and more. A vehicle jack sufficient to lift one wheel clear of the sand.
In addition, all two wheel drive orvs must have a minimum of 8 of tread width in contact with the ground. Surf fishing is great if you have a family or someone not interested in fishing as they can enjoy the beach. Another interesting feature of the assateague national seashore is the issue of osv over sand vehicle permits. In fact, assateague island national seashore is so lovely that scores of residents live here full time. Read on for things to do while vacationing on assateague island. Directions from ocean city to assateague island national seashore.
Backcountry camping permit assateague island national seashore has two oceanside and four bayside camping areas for visitors who wish to backpack or paddle the island. The over sand vehicle osv zone that extends from parking lot no. Three dune crossings provide fishing access for vehicles with the proper permit to drive onto the beach. Osv operators in designated zone must carry and be able to display upon request. Assateague island has both its maryland and virginia orv areas open year round for off road beach recreation. Heres where you can and cant drive and park on delmarva beaches this summer. Registration stickers are also available from any department regional service center. Reduce tire air pressure, 12 psi should be the safe minimum. At assateague island national seashore, oversand vehicle permits. Upon signing the registration for the osv permit, operators accept responsibility for knowing and following all osv regulations. Orv operators must possess a valid state driver s license. But lets admit, lugging all of your gear is a massive pain in the butt.
No permit is needed from the national park service. Located on the east coast along the atlantic ocean in maryland and virginia, assateague island is the largest natural barrier island. Also keep in mind that not all awd vehicles are made the same, so do some research to see what sort of luck other drivers have. Jun 08, 2018 heres where you can and cant drive and park on delmarva beaches this summer. Special use permits assateague island national seashore u. Assateague island national seashore oversand vehicle use. Assateague island national seashore is modifying operations to implement local health guidance. New drivers who have previously not held a permit are required to view an excellent video from the njbba on beach driving. Enjoy relaxing on the 37 miles of beach or hiking by. Aside from swimming, sunbathing, and fishing, the island. Surf fishing is permitted on the island without a permit. Overnight parking on the beach is prohibited except for those who are actively engaged in fishing.
May 01, 2016 the difference between using weight distribution and air bags to level your load duration. The permit is issued to a specific vehicle in the name of the registered owner. Properly equipped with soft tires, 4 wheel drives, and unditching gear, permit holders can drive. The fifth hiking trail in assateague island national seashore is located in virginia. Assateague island national seashore, oversand vehicle use osv.
Assateague island is a beautiful barrier island, administrated by park services, permanently uninhabited, and most famous for its charismatic wild ponies. The plan was to drive out route 50 to route 1, then make a couple connections leading to assateague where we planned to get the orv permit, and then backtrack and branch off to the campgrounds. Driving on the beach comes with its own responsibilities and parking rules vary by state. Using a 2 wheel drive of any type or an all wheel drive.
The virgina end, the chincotegue national wildlife refuge is home to the assateague island. While anyone willing to pay the fee to drive on the beaches at assateague island national seashore can do so, i recommend nothing less than a highclearance 4wheel drive vehicle as does the national park service. Assateague island is a 37mile 60 km long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the delmarva peninsula facing the atlantic ocean. Turn right and continue to the south end of the paved road beyond the national seashores entrance station.
There are 7 ways to get from philadelphia to assateague island by train, bus, night bus, car, car ferry or plane. Surf fishing is permitted on the island without a permit during the summer months from 5am to 10pm. The park also offers a designated stretch of beach for four wheel driving. Backcountry camping without a permit is prohibited. Surf fishing vehicle permits are required to drive onto the beach. For those with 4 wheel drive vehicles who are looking to get away from the crowded beaches, permits for driving on the beach can be obtained for a fee. To drive on the beach you will need a osv permit, depending if you are just going to spend your time. Assateague island national seashore does not close. Backcountry camping assateague island national seashore. See 615 photos and 81 tips from 5500 visitors to assateague island national seashore maryland. Red drum provide action at assateague baltimore sun. Sep 09, 2017 berlin, md maryland state police are continuing to investigate a threevehicle crash that seriously injured at least one person and closed the road to assateague island late this afternoon. Most of those driving on the beach at assateague island national. The official permit decal will arrive in the mail shortly thereafter and must be affixed to the orv.
Assateague s south entrance is a 1 4 mile east of chincoteague, its north entrance is eight miles from. Assateague island national seashore fishing and hunting. With our lodging arrangements more or less settled, i turned my attention to the matter of the orv permit. Car rental assateague island national seashore from. Access assateague island from maryland route 611, south, drive over large bridge until it ends at assategue island. Does anyone jk owners out there have the assateague island over sand vehicle permit. Camping tips summer days on assateague island are often warm with high humidity. Both sides also offer camping just off the beach, and both offer an off road location where visitor in 4 wheel drive trucks can drive onto the beach and enjoy surf fishing. Assateague state park is marylands only oceanfront park. It is located on assateague island, a barrier island bordered by the atlantic ocean on the east and the sinepuxent bay on the west. Surf fishing assateague island chincoteague bed and. Cape hatteras national seashore orv permit recreation. Check to make sure you 4wheel drive is engaged, many vehicles have manual lock.
1415 767 427 1639 38 1371 750 403 473 146 264 1460 1026 936 176 251 449 252 1191 850 195 271 506 819 1104 923 950 260 325