Overview
Most of the Maryland district is managed by the National Park Service as Assateague Island National Seashore. Maryland also manages Assateague State Park on a short stretch of the island—separate entrance, camping, and day-use rules from the national seashore. The Virginia district is primarily Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service), with NPS services at the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center and a recreational beach.
There is no vehicle access between the Maryland and Virginia districts on the island. To go from one to the other, return to the mainland and drive the recommended route on the park map. From Ocean City you almost always start with the Maryland district.
The seashore is open year-round, but hours for facilities and the Virginia refuge change seasonally. Confirm operating hours, fees, and current conditions on official NPS channels the morning you go—schedules and alerts change.
Food and water are limited on-island. Bring what you need; wildlife will raid unattended coolers. Maryland has public fountains at the Barrier Island Visitor Center and North Beach Pavilion, plus seasonal snacks at the Beach Hut and Assateague Outfitters. Virginia options for food and water are even thinner—plan ahead.
