When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. There was a beach shop with a Cafe that served coffee, tea, desserts and sandwiches. The beach is gorgeous. Established: 1943. Horses are wild and may be found roaming the entire area of the Maryland district of Assateague Island National Seashore. Please be cautioned though, the behavior we witnessed there was far below what the Rangers and normal people expect. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. You are not allowed to stop your car when you see the horses, but everyone does, of course. The wild horses on Assateague Island get bloated bellies because of the salt in the grass. Animals stay healthier when you do not feed them. Recreational opportunities, cultural history, natural attractions, places to stay and eat are nearby at Ocean Your symbolic foster is an ideal way to support the horses living wild and free among the Maryland herd on Assateague Island National Seashore. by Darley Newman I was on the Maryland side of the island on a quest to find them with national park ranger Nick Clemons. As the island itself is divided by a fence (it straddles two states) for the respective Maryland and Virginia sides, so are the horses. Meet the Horses Visitors flock to see the "wild" horses on the beach. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. It is now one of our national treasures and an object of pride for native Marylanders like myself. Any takers? people believe that the wild ponies of Assateague arrived on Assateague Island We are passing through Ocean City, MD now and will be in St. George Island tonight. Assateague not only remains one of the largest mid-Atlantic barrier islands to have a continuum of intact coastal habitats, but it does so with little to no human interference. is an iconic place to visit. While you might find horses on the beach, especially in the summer, we also found them meandering through parking lots and grazing near campsites. For another unique beach in the Old Line State, click here! Unlike the skinny metal stakes that come in the package, these specialty items are sturdier, and will do a better job at keeping your tent anchored in the wind and sand. Ocean City is a 10-mile stretch of sparkling white sand and surf with a boardwalk, restaurants, bars, amusement parks, miniature golf, shopping, frequent festivals, and special events. Davis recommends standing back at least 40 feet (or a bus length) from young families. I caught nothing (if I am anything, it's consistent) but a great tan and a love for the island. Seeing is believing!! of Assateague Island. Thank you! Somethings in the air on Assateague Island, where you can see wild horses on beaches, in marshland and even in parking lots! The wild horses on Assateague Island are managed by the National Park Service. Assateague Island Please enable JavaScript in your browser. This voyage is often Seeing horses in the wild in this coastal island environment is stunning and special. "[It's] continuously being reshaped by the elemental forces of wind and water. But every July, Chincoteagues salt-water cowboys round up the horses and put a number up of them up for auction in order to control the population. What hotels are near Assateague Island National Seashore? In the Maryland district, the horses have free range over the entire Maryland district stretching from the north end of the island down to the Virginia state line where a fence is installed across the entire width of the island. There are two entrances to Assateague Island National Seashore: one on the north end, just eight miles from Ocean City, Maryland, and another on the south end, two miles from Chincoteague, Virginia. About 2.5 hours south of the windswept barrier island, a small number of wild horses remain at the equally remote Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Parks in Virginia, located on the northern tip of North Carolinas Outer Banks. My Grams took me here 40 years ago and I still remember it like yesterday. This herd consists of more than 150 horses owned and managed by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. wheel driving on the beach, seashell collecting along seldom Ocean City, Maryland or Chincoteague Island, Virginia are only 1/4 mile away from Assateague Island But other forces are at play here, too. At 37 miles long, it's the largest natural barrier island ecosystem in the mid-Atlantic states. Scientists continue to argue over whether the horses of Assateague are actually ponies. Beach is great. Though 37 miles long, its only a mile wide, so youre never far from a beach. Instead of the ugly development that plagues most of our nation's beaches, there are white dunes with seagrasses and vast marshes. They are true horses, and not actual ponies, who have adapted to the diet and life on Assateague. Assateague State Park is managed by Maryland's . Was so much worth it. As the signs warn: "A fed horse is a dead horse.". Over the years, there has been much debate about what to do about the wild horses of the lower Salt River area in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona, but today, they are protected from harm or abuse. ), Today, more than 300 wild horses inhabit the rugged barrier island, separated into two main herds on either side of the Maryland/Virginia state line, which is delineated by fencing. For more information read our privacy policy. The following park in Maryland is already naturally beautiful, but it's the wild horses that take this place to the next level. Plus, you'll need to be prepared with plenty of insect repellent and protective clothing, as mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats, and ticks are an ongoing nuisance throughout the summer. The horses aren't meant to be fed by humans as it increases their dependence on outside food sources away from their habitat. The horses can often be found in the marsh areas, on the beach, or further down the island in the National Park's OSV (Over Sand Vehicle) area. Wildlife tours, providing a comprehensive look at the many species that call this island home, are available, too. If heading to Ocean City, Maryland doesnt make for an unforgettable retreat; were sure that what you do while visiting, will get you there! We recommend checking out the Visitor Center which is located on the Maryland side to see more information and activities for kids. and saw some wild horses! If you are ever in the vicinity, I highly recommend that you go. Is there a short easy trail? thousands of waterfowl and other birds with migration instincts that carry them Yes you can! Rangers can ticket you for getting too close to them. RT @msjennifoxx: Went to Assateague today with @victorianfeet and saw some wild horses! During your visit to Assateague, you will most likely encounter at least a few of the island's most popular residents. The Assateague Island National Seashore, along the border of Maryland and Virginia, is part of the National Park Service and was established in 1965 to help preserve the barrier island. National Wildlife Refuge is located on Assateague Island and is one of the most The following media includes . Horse Skills Update You can now unlock skills for your horse by spending their Skill Points! Obviously the winter is not the season for this but it provided a calm sensation that we were both looking forward to. The Department of Natural Resources leads Maryland in securing a sustainable future for our environment, society, and economy by preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the States natural resources. During the winter their coats become quite thick to protect them from the harsh winds. By fostering a horse, you are directly involved in preserving one of America's most beloved wildlife treasures and their survival in one of our most fragile natural resources. Since you cant get too close, bring a pair of binoculars to enjoy them from afar. During a typical trip to the island, you're likely to see such beautiful birds as the snowy egret, the great blue heron, and even the gorgeous osprey. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Horses on Assateague Island, Maryland! There are no hotels here, and Airbnb options are few and far between, which means youll likely be camping. It is mostly located on the Virginian half of Assateague Island (a small amount - about 3% is located across the state line in Maryland). There are also numerous nature trails around the island that offer many opportunities for spotting wildlife, and a comfortable campground. This was a last minute trip for us so we only go to enjoy assateague for the day. You've probably heard of the wild ponies of Chincoteague, Virginia, but did you know that there is a similar place in Maryland? Opt for a September trip. The most probable theory is that they survived a shipwreck of a Spanish ship, the La Galga in 1750. Assateague Island is a 37-mile (60 km) long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the Delmarva Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. Other than that it was super easy to get to. Beautiful, plenty of space, walking trails, wood pathways, and signage is good. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. (Pro tip: Check the weather forecast before your trip to avoid western winds, which can blow biting flies from the marshes onto the beach. We made reservations to camp on the sand side when the reservations opened - about 6 months in advance. Horse people can imagine! One of America's last fully functioning barrier island ecosystems. The ponies diet consists mainly of marsh and dune grasses. I was on the Maryland side of the island on a quest to find them with national park ranger Nick Clemons. Assateague Island National Seashore has a combined total of over 300 wild ponies in Maryland and Virginia. What attractions are near Assateague Island National Seashore? Pig Beach, Bahamas. We lucked out and a small group of them walked by shortly after setting up our spot for the day. About 82 miles . The beaches and bay areas are extremely well maintained, and the entire ecosystem is alive and healthy because of it. Do you need to book in advance to visit Assateague Island National Seashore? The Chincoteague pony is one of the many breeds of feral horses in the United States. It is illegal to touch or feed any wildlife. This isnt the Outer Banks of North Carolina. After this, head out on your adventure to find some wild horses. The Assateague horses inhabit the Maryland portion of the barrier island, with the Chincoteague ponies on the Virginia side of the state line. Thank you! You can either take the Verrazano Bridge from Maryland or the John B. Whealton Memorial Causeway from Virginia. Great experience, we booked 2 times. A more likely theory is that farmers in colonial times used the island for grazing areas to avoid paying taxes on the land. Here's why you should visit Assateague Island this summer. The problem is that if we did not drive into the Seashore before 9am, then the line to get in to the Seashore was obnoxious, well over one mile waiting in traffic. Here's why you should visit Assateague Island this summer. Much to our dismay, the Rangers on duty said due to the season there was a good possibility we wouldn't see any horses due to hiding in the brush on the side of the road. Get more stories delivered right to your email. 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