Assateague Island is 37-miles of sand, maritime forests, and salt marshes that’s shared by Maryland and Virginia. Most individuals are drawn to Assateague by the untamed horses. However should you’re in search of a back-to-nature canine pleasant seashore getaway, Assateague Island is difficult to beat!
Assateague Island is a superb alternative for a laid-back canine pleasant seashore trip on the east coast. With miles and miles of seashore, nice mountain climbing trails, paved bike paths, and canoe and kayak launching areas, it is a place the place you possibly can actually take pleasure in nature!
Assateague Island – The Lay Of The Land
Assateague Island is positioned simply 150 miles east of Washington, DC and is split by the Maryland-Virginia state line. Virginia’s southern third of the island is house to the Assateague Lighthouse and the Chincoteague Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. However pets are prohibited on Virginia’s portion of the island – even when they keep inside your car.
Happily, you’ll discover a lot to do on Maryland’s portion of the island! Many of the Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore and Assateague State Park – Maryland’s solely oceanfront park – are positioned there. And, in an attention-grabbing twist, the nationwide seashore is definitely extra pet pleasant than the state park!
READ MORE ⇒ America’s Greatest Canine Pleasant Nationwide Parks
There isn’t a highway that runs the size of the island. And touring from the northern entry close to Ocean Metropolis, Maryland to the southern entry in Chincoteague, Virginia requires a 50-mile drive by way of the mainland countryside. Due to this fact, should you’re touring with pets, it’s essential to plan your lodging accordingly.
Pet Insurance policies At Assateague Island
As we already talked about, pets are prohibited in your complete Virginia portion of Assateague Island, even in your automobile.
The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland, and is split between the Nationwide Seashore and Assateague State Park. Every of those parks units their very own pet coverage.
Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore Pet Coverage
Pets are welcome year-round in most areas of the Maryland portion of Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore, so long as they’re on a leash now not than 6 ft always. This contains most seashores, within the water at these seashores, most campsites, and within the marina space to board vessels. Pets can not go within the following locations on the Nationwide Seashore:
- backcountry campsites
- nature trails
- the lifeguard-protected seashore
- north of the the state park border to the Ocean Metropolis inlet
Assateague State Park Pet Coverage
Leashed pets are allowed year-round within the marina and on the Rackliffe Path on the mainland. Throughout the tenting season (final week of April – November 1st), pets are welcime in camp loops G, H, and I and on the seashores (and within the water) adjoining these loops, plus on the hiker/biker path on the west facet of Campground Street.
When the campground is closed (November 1st- third week of April), leashed pets are permitted in all campground loops and adjoining seashores, together with being within the water.
Pets on leash can even be part of you within the state park day use areas after Labor Day although the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.
Canine Pleasant Seaside On Assateague Island
Assateague Island’s northern entrance might be accessed from Berlin or Ocean Metropolis, Maryland. The Verrazano Bridge crosses from the mainland to the island and brings you into Assateague State Park.
Do not forget that the state park permits canine solely on the seashores adjoining camp loops G, H, and I from final week of April – November 1st. When the campground is closed (November 1st- third week of April), pets are permitted on the seashores adjoining all campground loops. You possibly can choose up a map to find the campground loops on the customer heart.
READ MORE ⇒ Preserving Your Canine Protected At The Seaside
Persevering with south, the canine pleasant seashore stretches for miles at Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore. Right here leashed pets are welcome all alongside the shore, besides on the lifeguard-protected seashore, which is straight throughout from the Bayside Drive-in Campground.
The seashore is huge, deep, and sparsely populated as soon as you progress away from the parking areas. We noticed folks fishing, napping, cooking out, and warming up by fires after browsing.
For much more seclusion, you may get a allow to drive your car proper on the seashore! The Over Sand Automobile (OSV) permits value $110, are good for one 12 months, and can be found for bought on-line at www.recreation.gov. It’s essential to choose up your allow inside 10 days from the date of buy, and it means that you can drive on the sand after the paved highway ends at South Ocean Seaside!
Seeing The Wild Horses
Whereas the canine pleasant seashore is spectacular, Assateague Island is finest recognized for its herd of untamed horses. Descended from the domesticated horses that have been launched to the island within the late seventeenth century, the herd is now feral.
It’s completely very important that guests do to not feed the horses. This herd has developed to outlive on the scraggly vegetation discovered on the island. If the animals are fed in the course of the vacationer season, they’ve a tough time adjusting again to their regular weight-reduction plan when the crowds disappear. And in a extreme winter, that might result in catastrophe.
The horses are smaller than I anticipated — in reality, many individuals name them “ponies.” However they’re wild animals they usually may chew or kick if approached, so don’t underestimate them. It’s finest to view them from a distance – particularly when you could have your canine alongside.
The place To Discover Assateague’s Wild Horses
Discovering the wild ponies is usually fairly straightforward. There are about 150 horses in every of Maryland and Virginia herds. And so they like to hang around in small teams across the parking heaps and mosey alongside the paths and roadways. Additionally they take pleasure in lengthy walks on the seashore, the place they verify picnic baskets alongside the best way. So regulate your lunch!
Nonetheless involved you would possibly miss them? Cease on the Assateague Island Customer Heart for a “horse report” simply earlier than crossing the Verrazano Bridge into the park.
Take A Canine Pleasant Boat Tour
One other enjoyable approach to see the Assateague and Chincoteague Island is by boat! Select from canine pleasant guided cruises or kayak excursions and expertise wild ponies, dolphins, birds and surroundings that may solely be appreciated from the water.
Canine pleasant excursions can be found from Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Or lease a pontoon boat to pilot your self in Ocean Metropolis, Maryland.
READ MORE ⇒ Suggestions for Canoeing or Kayaking with Canine
The place To Keep
Tenting is likely one of the hottest methods to remain on Assateague, and each Assateague State Park and Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore have pet pleasant campgrounds with beachfront websites. Reservations are required March 15 by way of November 15 and might be made as much as six months upfront. However they refill quick! So if you wish to keep inside strolling distance of the seashore, plan forward.
Additionally needless to say you’re not going to seek out eating places, grocery shops, resorts, or buying on the island. In the event you’re drawn to these facilities, there are good pet pleasant lodging choices in close by Berlin and Ocean Metropolis, Maryland.
Pet Pleasant Berlin, Maryland
Named the 2014 Coolest Small City in America by Finances Journey, the village of Berlin has a protracted and attention-grabbing historical past. What’s now the city’s major road was initially a path utilized by the Assateague and Pocomoke Indians. It then grew to become the Philadelphia Put up Street, which linked facilities of commerce to the north and west in colonial instances.
At this time the town is a showcase of structure, with many buildings listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. The outdated business buildings that line Essential Road now home artwork galleries, vintage outlets, boutiques, and a few unbelievable eateries. We selected the comfy again patio at Blacksmith. The workers couldn’t have been nicer in regards to the boys becoming a member of us, and the meals was scrumptious!
We hope our go to to the canine pleasant seashore on Assateague Island conjures up you! In the event you’ve already been there, inform us about your favourite issues to do within the feedback beneath.
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