9 Things To Know Before Visiting Assateague Island National Seashore

by Gail CliffordAug 7, 2021Assateague Island, Maryland, Virginia

9 Things To Know Before Visiting Assateague Island National Seashore

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Travel Awaits | Aug. 7, 2021

https://www.travelawaits.com/2686604/assatueague-island-national-seashore-tips-for-visiting/

wild horses on the Assateague Island National Seashore at dawn — NATHANIEL GONZALES / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Legend has it that the feral horses that roam Assateague Island National Seashore descend from survivors of a Spanish galleon, shipwrecked along the mid-Atlantic coast. Like most girls, I fell in love with the romantic notions of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands after reading Marguerite Henry’s children’s book, Misty Of Chincoteague (1947) and then seeing the movie (1961). Growing up in Maryland and vacationing in Ocean City each summer, I can’t remember a year that we didn’t visit the Assateague Island National Seashore.

Even knowing that the horses more likely came from 17th-century landowners placing their horses on the island trying to avoid the Maryland fence tax (rather than on their way to a viscount in Peru) can’t remove the allure.

I’ve loved Assateague Island since I was a little girl. Between the lighthouse, the Chincoteague horses, and exploring sand dunes, I think the only “bad” thing about any visit was the mosquitos. The mosquitos are vicious, especially on the bay side during the summer months. I’ve just learned that having Type O blood attracts mosquitos. Lucky me.

But in addition to bringing strong insect repellent and wearing long-sleeve shirts and slacks, what else should you know to best enjoy your time at Assateague?