CAMPING SEASON

The Horse Campground in the Maryland Unit of Assateague Island National Seashore is typically open from mid-October to mid-April. The exact opening and closing dates change each year, so be sure to visit the National Park Service’s Camping at Assateague web page for the latest schedule.

TYPE OF CAMPING

Both tent campers, RVs, and other self-contained sleeping vehicles up to 30 feet long are welcome at the Horse Campground.

NUMBER OF SITES

There are two campsites for those with horses. These are mixed in with the Oceanside Walk-in Campground sites, though at the time the Horse Camp is open the Walk-in campground is closed (so tent campers and horses aren’t mixing). Each campsite holds up to six people, two camping units (tent or RV), three vehicles (maximum length 30 feet), and six horses. Extra vehicles must park at the North Beach parking lot.

AMENITIES

There are no electricity or water hook-ups at any of the campsites. The campground does have drinking water, compositing toilets (fancy portable toilets), and cold water showers. There is also a dump station for RVs at the two drive-in campgrounds nearby.

Campsites have hitching posts, picnic tables, and fire rings / grills.

RESERVATIONS

Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance online at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. All campgrounds at Assateague Island National Seashore are rolled into this one online reservation web page, so be sure you choose from the Horse Camp A or B Equestrian Non-electric campsites.

Campers with a reservation arriving after business hours must register by 11 AM the next morning at the Ranger Station located near the entrance to the park.

FEES

At the time of this writing, campsites are $80/night. But be sure to get the current rates on the National Park Service’s Camping at Assateague web page or on Recreation.gov.

CAMPGROUND RULES

• CHECKOUT TIME: 11:00 A.M
• CHECK-IN TIME: 12:00 PM
• STAY LIMITS: Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days and a total of 28 cumulative days per year.
• GUESTS: Guests who plan to park at a campsite must register their vehicle at the Ranger Station.
• ENTRANCE PASSES, CAMPGROUND PARKING PERMITS: After entering the park, campers must have in their possession a valid entrance pass and display on their vehicle a valid campground parking permit (hangtag).
• WILD HORSES: Visitors observed to be 40 feet or closer to a horse may be subject to a minimum fine of $100.00. Touching, feeding, or enticing Assateague horses is ILLEGAL.
• FOOD/DRINKS: All food and beverages must be stored in a hard-sided container (e.g. vehicles, locked coolers, or other latched storage) when not in use. Food items in use must be closely guarded by campers and their guests to prevent consumption by any wildlife, especially horses. Food items and unlocked coolers left out and unattended are subject to search and may be confiscated.
• QUIET HOURS: Quiet hours are from 10 PM until 6 AM.
• GENERATORS: Generator use during quiet hours is prohibited. Idling vehicles during quiet hours to charge batteries is also prohibited. Generator noise levels must not exceed 60 decibels at 50 feet as measured on the A-weighted scale.
• CAMPFIRES: Fires must be started and contained inside the provided fire ring or a privately owned, self-contained grill. Do not move provided fire rings. Only firewood purchased within 50 miles of the park, or down and dead wood, may be used for fires. Fires are permitted on the Atlantic Ocean beach (excluding lifeguard beach area) ONLY below the high tide line. Do not cover beach fires with sand. All fires, regardless of location, must be completely extinguished with water. All debris and unburned fire wood must be properly disposed of and the beach restored to its natural condition.
• PETS: Pets must be physically controlled and on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Owners are responsible for removing pet waste and for the health, welfare, and behavior (including barking) of their pet. Pets must never be left unattended in vehicles or elsewhere in the park. Pets are prohibited on lifeguarded beaches (in season), in backcountry campsites, on nature trails, in Assateague State Park and north to the Ocean City Inlet, and within Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia.
• WASTEWATER: Gray and black water must be emptied at designated dump stations.
• TRASH: All trash must be properly discarded in the dumpsters provided in the park. Please separate trash and recyclables.
• YOUR HORSE: Horses not from Maryland must have a current Coggins test. Do not leave your horse unattended. Wild horses are present in all areas of the park and may frighten your animals. Never leave feed where wildlife can get to it. Wildlife attracted to feed can come into conflict with people. Only tie horses to hitching posts. Do not hitch animals to water supply faucets or picnic tables. Campers are allowed to bring portable corrals. Remove all manure piles from within the campsite to reduce odors and insect problems and to maintain the appearance of the site.
• HAY: Use processed feed to eliminate introducing weed seeds into the park. Hay may contain seeds of non-native plants that can take over and destroy habitat for native species.

For more information about bringing your horse to Assateague Island National Seashore, see the Horseback Riding web page here on National Park Planner.

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