Assateage from Virginia of Maryland?

I have trouble deciding which portion of the island to visit...

My search says:

';There are two entrances to Assateague, Maryland and Virginia. Both are good, but very different. The Maryland side is more beach and the Virginia side has more birds and wildlife. Both have wild ponies, but the Virginia side has them sectioned off.';

We are going in mid October, will have a car, tent and bikes. We are not backpacking this time and would need to drive to the camp site.

1. are the camp sites on Assateague accessible by car? I read somewhere that the bridge is only for bikers and pedestrians. Are there many bike trails in Assateague island National seashore? Is there an entrance fee? I have their website, but no answers:) The camping sounds OK, but mentions just electric hook-ups, not bathrooms or showers, but maybe thats obvious.

2. I would maybe rather stay at Chincoteague at some of the city campgrounds with full amenities and just bike to Assateague Island, but are the pony areas really fenced off? Not that I want to touch them, but would be nice to be closer than from some look out point... in favour of Virginia speaks also that the trails for bikes sound better here, bikes are allowed on all trails unlike in Maryland.

Please share your experience. Thanks.

Assateage from Virginia of Maryland?

Coming from Philadelphia, why not visit the Maryland end of Assateague and then drive on down to Chincoteague to spend the night. I don%26#39;t think it would be that far out of your way.

The camping in MD is either on the beach or bay. The beach sites seem crowded to me. We camped on the bay side a couple of times. I personally think the MD side is better for kayaking than biking. You%26#39;ll likely get a close look at a pony in MD. Access to sites is by car. Yes on the entrance fee but it may apply to both VA and MD. There are two campgrounds on MD. One is a state park and the other in National Park Service.

In Chincoteague you have much better bike riding. You can camp at Maddox Family Campground. Easy biking to Assateague from there. Easy biking to town from there too. You MAY see ponies up close but no guarantees. You will find better bike riding though.

We have pictures from both places on our website, if you%26#39;d like to see them.

www.AlandSueJohnson.com

Look for Assatague Island, VA and Assateague Island, MD in the menu at the top. Both are quite nice but Chincoteague, VA does offer the advantages of a small town.

Assateage from Virginia of Maryland?

ilsalmi, I think AKJ has a great idea, it would be easy for you do both.

One year on our way down we saw the sign for Assateague Island and thinking we could get to the Virginia side but of course you can%26#39;t but I%26#39;m glad we saw the Maryland side. We did have to pay an entrance fee at both entrances.

1. You cannot camp on the Virginia side of Assateague, but there are good campgrounds in Chincoteague. There are entrance fees to the Maryland State Park as well as to the federal sites. The federal site on the Maryland side does have showers and restrooms; I haven%26#39;t been to the State park so I don%26#39;t know about it. This website has fee info and such: assateagueisland.com/assateague_camping.htm

And this site has trail maps, or you could always call and ask.

www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/maps.htm

2. The pony areas are really fenced off. We saw the ponies much closer, as within 10 feet of us, on the Maryland side, but not nearly that close an the Virginia side.

I live near Chincoteague, love both Chincoteague and Assateague - visit both numerous times yearly. IF you can only see one - go to Maryland if you would like to see the horses. Many times on VIrginia side you cant see them at all. We used to see them every time we went, but no more. :( I was VERY pleasantly surprized when I visited Maryland side for the first time 4 years ago. Bike riding IS much better on Virginia side, they do have a really nice visitor/nature center. Maddox family campground is very pleasant.

Entrance fee is not too high, but it is for both sides. I think you can get a weekly pass for around 20 or under.

You could also walk from the Virginia to the Maryland side of the beach, ilsalmi. I believe it%26#39;s a four mile walk from the Vistor%26#39;s Center in Virginia to the Maryland side. Take lots of water, sun hat, bathing suit for cooling off.

Va is the best part of Assateague,the beach is much cleaner and more wild ponies !

The best place would be the Chincoteague side for many reasons....the hotels and motels are a lot more affordable and the general area is a lot prettier!!!

See my profile blueeyes1970 for more info. I have been to both Maryland and Va side but I like the MD side better. Happy camper at Assateague Island MD since I was born.