Safety

Assateague rewards prepared visitors. Surf, heat, biting insects, and wildlife encounters are part of the island. Plan for them and your day goes better.

Assateague guide Official NPS

Summary for Ocean City visitors based on National Park Service Assateague guidance. Fees, hours, closures, and permit prices change—confirm on nps.gov/asis before you go.

Overview

Dial 911 in an emergency. Cell service may be unavailable in parts of the park—report emergencies to rangers, campground hosts, or visitor center staff. An emergency phone is located on the east side of the Ranger Station adjacent to Bayberry Drive.

Prepare for insects (May–November), sun and heat, surf hazards, thunderstorms, poison ivy, sandburs, and wildlife. Keep food secured so horses and other animals do not invade camps and picnic sites.

Highlights

Horses: stay ≥40 feet. Seals (winter): ≥150 feet. Never feed wildlife.
Lightning: if you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to be dangerous—seek a vehicle or solid shelter.
Ticks: check after hiking shrub and woods; know early Lyme symptoms.
Drive slowly in parking lots and watch for animals on roads at dawn and dusk.

Official National Park Service links

More Assateague topics

Plan your visit

Directions, fees, hours, weather, visitor centers, and what to pack from Ocean City.

Camping

Oceanside and bayside campsites, reservations, and backcountry options on Assateague.

Wildlife & wild horses

Feral horses, birds, and viewing tips—keep a safe distance and never feed wildlife.

Hiking

Short paved and unpaved loops plus 37 miles of beach—heat, insects, and tides matter.

Biking

Several miles of bike trails wind through Maryland and Virginia districts of the island.

Swimming & surfing

Swim at your own risk—strong surf and currents. Read beach and surf safety first.

Canoeing & kayaking

Launch from designated areas; respect weather, tides, and currents. Seasonal rentals in Maryland.

Surf fishing

Surf cast for flounder, drum, blues, and more—Maryland license required; no fishing in lifeguard beaches.

Crabbing & clamming

Blue crabs and bay shellfish—check size limits and seasons at the visitor center.

Horseback riding

Seasonal riding along the beach in the Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) zone.

Over Sand Vehicles (OSV)

Beach-driving permits via recreation.gov—equipment rules, density limits, and nesting closures.

Ranger-guided programs

Seasonal guided walks and talks that unlock barrier-island ecology and history.

Shell collecting

Limit collecting to a gallon or less of unoccupied shells so beach life keeps its habitat.

Hunting

Regulated hunting opportunities exist—confirm seasons, permits, and safety zones with NPS.