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Assateague Island National Seashore: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle entrance
- $25[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- July[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 2,325,195[3]
- Campgrounds
- 11[4]
Assateague Island National Seashore is a National Park System site that spans Maryland and Virginia[5]. NPS lists a $25 entrance fee for a private vehicle, good for 7 days[1], and the park takes the America the Beautiful pass[6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[6].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[9] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[9] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[9] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[9] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[9] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[9] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
The Maryland District is listed by NPS as open every day of the year, around the clock[10]. The Virginia District keeps set hours that shift by season, with the longest day from May to September, 5 am to 10 pm[11]. NPS suggests checking with Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge at 757-336-6122 for hour changes in Virginia[11]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 466,701 recreation visits, and the quietest was December with 27,129[2]. NPS describes summer as hot and humid with highs in the 80's, and fall as warm with highs in the 70's[12]. Spring tends to be cool and windy, and winter is damp and cold[12].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 44,822 |
| February | 41,652 |
| March | 92,829 |
| April | 145,461 |
| May | 203,892 |
| June | 414,695 |
| July | 466,701 |
| August | 412,582 |
| September | 237,919 |
| October | 112,317 |
| November | 125,196 |
| December | 27,129 |
Camping
NPS and Recreation.gov list 11 campgrounds here[4]. The largest is Assateague Island National Seashore Campground with 160 sites, followed by Oceanside Walk-in campground with 62 sites[4]. There are also several single-site backcountry spots such as Pine Tree and Tingles Island[4]. NPS lists nightly fees for individual sites from $10 to $80[4].
- Assateague Island National Seashore Campground, 160 sites[4]
- Oceanside Walk-in campground, 62 sites
- Bayside Drive-in Campground, 22 sites
- Oceanside Drive-in Campground, 16 sites
- Oceanside Group Campground, 5 sites
- Back Country Camping - Pine Tree, 1 sites
- Back Country Camping - Tingles Island, 1 sites
- Back Country Camping - Green Run, 1 sites
- Back Country Camping - Pope Bay, 1 sites
- Back Country Camping - Little Levels, 1 sites
- Back Country Camping - State Line, 1 sites
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS rule, pets must be on a leash of up to six feet, or crated or caged, wherever they are allowed[13]. That rule also keeps pets out of public buildings and designated swimming beaches, except for service animals[13]. NPS notes that pets are permitted for 3 of the listed activities: surf fishing, seeing the wild horses in the Maryland district, and crabbing[14].
Before you go
- A motorcycle entry costs $20 and is valid for 7 days, per NPS[7].
- The park's own Annual Entrance pass costs $45 and covers both the Maryland and Virginia districts[8].
- The America the Beautiful Resident Annual Pass is listed at $80[9].
- Virginia District hours change through the year, so check them before you go[11].
- Fees and hours can change, so confirm on the official NPS park page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Assateague Island National Seashore?
- NPS lists $25 for a private vehicle, valid for 7 days[1]. A motorcycle pays $20 for 7 days[7]. A park annual pass is listed at $45[8].
- What are the hours at Assateague Island?
- The Maryland District is open 24 hours a day all year[10]. Virginia District hours vary by season, for example 5 am to 10 pm from May to September[11].
- Can I bring my dog to Assateague Island National Seashore?
- Where pets are allowed, they must be on a leash of six feet or less, or crated or caged, and they are barred from designated swimming beaches and public buildings[13]. NPS lists pets as permitted for surf fishing, crabbing and wild horse viewing in the Maryland district[14].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $25. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 2,662,716, 2022: 2,340,269, 2023: 2,351,874, 2024: 2,282,498, 2025: 2,325,195. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Campgrounds in Assateague Island National Seashore (list on this page). National Park Service
- Assateague Island National Seashore is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Seashore) in Maryland and Virginia. National Park Service
- Assateague Island National Seashore accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $20. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $45. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, Assateague Island National Seashore - Maryland District: Open year round, 24 hours a day. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Assateague Island National Seashore - Virginia District: Open January-March 8: 6 am - 6 pm. March 9-April: 6 am - 8 pm. May-September: 5 am - 10 pm. October: 6 am - 8 pm. November-December: 6 am - 6 pm. Check with the Chincoteague National... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Assateague Island National Seashore. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 6 things to do at Assateague Island National Seashore: Ranger-Led Programs at Assateague, Surf Fishing on Assateague, Bird at Toms Cove, See the Wild Horses in the Maryland district, See the Wild Horses in the Virginia District, Crabbing at... National Park Service