Assateague Island National Seashore

Credit: Murray Barkley Toms Cove Visitor Center.

Assateague Island is divided between the states of Maryland and Virginia. Assateague Island National Seashore encompasses the entire island and adjacent bay areas from the Ocean City, Maryland inlet to Fishing Point on Toms Cove Hook in Virginia.

On the Virginia side of Assateague Island, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), with the exception of 448 acres in National Park Service (NPS) holdings. The National Park Service assists the FWS in providing public use programs and recreation management in the refuge's Toms Cove area. NPS maintains beach parking, picnic areas, and bathhouse facilities. The NPS also provides lifeguards, law enforcement, and first aid care during the summer beach season.

Credit: USFWS Assateague Island National Seashore

On the Maryland end of the island, Assateague is owned and managed by three separate agencies: the National Park Service, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information on the Assateague Island National Seashore, visit their website at www.nps.gov/asis or contact them at (757) 336-6577(Virginia side) or (410) 641-1443 (Maryland side)

For more information on the Assateague State Park in Maryland, visit their website.