As part of the Delmarva Peninsula, Assateague Island spans 37 miles across two states – Maryland to the north and Virginia to the south. Famous for its herd of free-roaming horses and diverse ecosystems, Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland offers a rare glimpse of a wild Mid-Atlantic barrier island.
Assateague Island National Seashore
2026 Price: Free due to my Annual Pass (Fee would have been $25 for a 7-day pass)
Assateague Horses
The moment I crossed the Verrazano Bridge onto the island I spotted my first Assateague horses. To watch and photograph them, I circled back to the Assateague Island Visitor Center on the other side of the bridge and crossed back over on the footpath.
The National Seashore has around 80 horses while the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on the Virginia side of the island holds a separate herd of around 150 Chincoteague ponies.
While technically feral (descended from domesticated horses that adapted to living in the wild), they have adapted to the island’s harsh environment. These horses, often called ponies due to their small stature, eat mostly cordgrass and other vegetation such as bayberry, beachgrass, and poison ivy. Due to this salty diet, they require twice as much water as most horse breeds, leading to a round, bloated appearance.
All solid colors are found in the breed as well as my favorite pinto patterns.
I found more horses grazing by the water along the main road (Bayberry Drive). Great egrets and killdeer wandered nearby.
The Assateague herd is owned and managed by the National Park Service who treat them as wild animals and give them no more or less assistance than any other species on the island. Visitors are prohibited from feeding, touching, or teasing the horses and should keep at least 40 feet (a bus length) away from them.
Hiking Trails
During my visit, I hiked the Seashore’s three short interpretative trails – Life of the Marsh, Life of the Forest, and Life of the Dunes.
Life of the Marsh Trail
The Marsh trail is a 0.5-mile elevated boardwalk loop. It winds out over the green salt marsh toward Sinepuxent Bay.
This was my favorite trail as it had stunning views and a trio of Assateague horses. I had just started the loop when I saw a mare come out from the brush. That was exciting enough but then a young foal came jogging out behind her.
A third, darker horse followed them a few moments later and stood watch.
I spent a long time observing them slowly move through the marsh and eat.
Life of the Forest Trail
Part paved path and part wooden boardwalk, the Forest trail is 0.5 miles. Three main overlooks are perfect for views of the forest and wetlands bordering the bay.
I found American robins, brown-headed nuthatches, Carolina wrens, fish crows, laughing gulls, least terns, and red-winged blackbirds.
Life of the Dunes Trail
Finally, the last trail I hiked was the 0.75-mile Dunes loop. Its sandy path roams through the inner dune habitat, through thickets of bayberry and stands of beachgrass.
Beach heather and grasses help build dunes and anchor sand with their roots. Inner dunes are never stationary; they are sculpted by wind and storms.
From the same parking lot, there is access to the beach and Atlantic Ocean via a boardwalk.
Know Before You Go
- Use strong insect repellent: The biting flies and mosquitos are relentless in June, July, and August. Even with bug spray from head to toe, sometimes they would follow me for an entire trail attacking my face and hands.
- Sun protection: I recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water as the beach and some of the trails are fully exposed.
Nearby Sites
Assateague State Park is also located in the Maryland portion of the island. Wild horses roam freely between the Assateague Island National Seashore and the state park.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers another option for hiking and wildlife viewing on the Virginia side of Assateague Island.
In Berlin, Maryland:
- The Mermaid Museum is dedicated to mermaid history, folklore, art, and mythology from around the world.
- The Ghost Museum showcases artifacts, stories, and historical accounts of ghost sightings and paranormal phenomena.
Whether you are watching horses graze by the waves or taking a slow walk along the marsh boardwalk, June on Assateague Island National Seashore is a coastal experience like no other.