Beachcombing is part of an Assateague visit. Take only empty shells, and only a modest amount, so crabs, birds, and other beach dwellers still have cover and calcium.
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.
NPS asks visitors to limit collecting to a gallon or less of unoccupied shells to ensure a supply for beach-dwelling organisms.
Never take shells with living animals inside. Leave large accumulations of wrack in place where they feed shorebirds and stabilize sand.
