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Assateague Island is 37-miles of sand, maritime forests, and salt marshes that’s shared by Maryland and Virginia. Most individuals are drawn to Assateague by the untamed horses. However should you’re in search of a back-to-nature canine pleasant seaside getaway, Assateague Island is tough to beat!
Assateague Island is a good alternative for a laid-back canine pleasant seaside trip on the east coast. With miles and miles of seaside, nice mountain climbing trails, paved bike paths, and canoe and kayak launching areas, it is a place the place you may actually take pleasure in nature!
Assateague Island – The Lay Of The Land
Assateague Island is situated simply 150 miles east of Washington, DC and is split by the Maryland-Virginia state line. Virginia’s southern third of the island is dwelling to the Assateague Lighthouse and the Chincoteague Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. However pets are prohibited on Virginia’s portion of the island – even when they keep inside your car.
Happily, you’ll discover a lot to do on Maryland’s portion of the island! A lot of the Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore and Assateague State Park – Maryland’s solely oceanfront park – are situated there. And, in an fascinating twist, the nationwide seashore is definitely extra pet pleasant than the state park!
READ MORE ⇒ America’s Finest Canine Pleasant Nationwide Parks
There is no such thing as a highway that runs the size of the island. And touring from the northern entry close to Ocean Metropolis, Maryland to the southern entry in Chincoteague, Virginia requires a 50-mile drive by the mainland countryside. Subsequently, should you’re touring with pets, it’s vital to plan your lodging accordingly.
Pet Insurance policies At Assateague Island
As we already talked about, pets are prohibited in your complete Virginia portion of Assateague Island, even in your automobile.
The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland, and is split between the Nationwide Seashore and Assateague State Park. Every of those parks units their very own pet coverage.
Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore Pet Coverage
Pets are welcome year-round in most areas of the Maryland portion of Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore, so long as they’re on a leash now not than 6 ft always. This contains most seashores, within the water at these seashores, most campsites, and within the marina space to board vessels. Pets can’t go within the following locations on the Nationwide Seashore:
- backcountry campsites
- nature trails
- the lifeguard-protected seaside
- north of the the state park border to the Ocean Metropolis inlet
Assateague State Park Pet Coverage
Leashed pets are allowed year-round within the marina and on the Rackliffe Path on the mainland. Throughout the tenting season (final week of April – November 1st), pets are welcime in camp loops G, H, and I and on the seashores (and within the water) adjoining these loops, plus on the hiker/biker path on the west facet of Campground Street.
When the campground is closed (November 1st- third week of April), leashed pets are permitted in all campground loops and adjoining seashores, together with being within the water.
Pets on leash may also be part of you within the state park day use areas after Labor Day although the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.
Canine Pleasant Seashore On Assateague Island
Assateague Island’s northern entrance might be accessed from Berlin or Ocean Metropolis, Maryland. The Verrazano Bridge crosses from the mainland to the island and brings you into Assateague State Park.
Do not forget that the state park permits canine solely on the seashores adjoining camp loops G, H, and I from final week of April – November 1st. When the campground is closed (November 1st- third week of April), pets are permitted on the seashores adjoining all campground loops. You may choose up a map to find the campground loops on the customer heart.
READ MORE ⇒ Conserving Your Canine Protected At The Seashore
Persevering with south, the canine pleasant seaside stretches for miles at Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore. Right here leashed pets are welcome all alongside the shore, besides on the lifeguard-protected seaside, which is instantly throughout from the Bayside Drive-in Campground.
The seaside is huge, deep, and sparsely populated as soon as you progress away from the parking areas. We noticed individuals fishing, napping, cooking out, and warming up by fires after browsing.
For much more seclusion, you will get a allow to drive your car proper on the seaside! The Over Sand Car (OSV) permits price $110, are good for one yr, and can be found for bought on-line at www.recreation.gov. You will need to choose up your allow inside 10 days from the date of buy, and it permits you to drive on the sand after the paved highway ends at South Ocean Seashore!
Seeing The Wild Horses
Whereas the canine pleasant seaside is spectacular, Assateague Island is greatest identified for its herd of untamed horses. Descended from the domesticated horses that have been launched to the island within the late seventeenth century, the herd is now feral.
It’s completely important that guests do to not feed the horses. This herd has advanced to outlive on the scraggly vegetation discovered on the island. If the animals are fed in the course of the vacationer season, they’ve a tough time adjusting again to their regular eating regimen when the crowds disappear. And in a extreme winter, that might result in catastrophe.
The horses are smaller than I anticipated — actually, many individuals name them “ponies.” However they’re wild animals they usually may chew or kick if approached, so don’t underestimate them. It’s greatest to view them from a distance – particularly when you could have your canine alongside.
The place To Discover Assateague’s Wild Horses
Discovering the wild ponies is mostly fairly straightforward. There are about 150 horses in every of Maryland and Virginia herds. They usually like to hang around in small teams across the parking tons and mosey alongside the paths and roadways. In addition they take pleasure in lengthy walks on the seaside, the place they test picnic baskets alongside the way in which. So control your lunch!
Nonetheless involved you would possibly miss them? Cease on the Assateague Island Customer Heart for a “horse report” simply earlier than crossing the Verrazano Bridge into the park.
Take A Canine Pleasant Boat Tour
One other enjoyable strategy to see the Assateague and Chincoteague Island is by boat! Select from canine pleasant guided cruises or kayak excursions and expertise wild ponies, dolphins, birds and surroundings that may solely be appreciated from the water.
Canine pleasant excursions can be found from Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Or hire a pontoon boat to pilot your self in Ocean Metropolis, Maryland.
READ MORE ⇒ Ideas for Canoeing or Kayaking with Canine
The place To Keep
Tenting is among the hottest methods to remain on Assateague, and each Assateague State Park and Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore have pet pleasant campgrounds with beachfront websites. Reservations are required March 15 by November 15 and might be made as much as six months prematurely. However they replenish quick! So if you wish to keep inside strolling distance of the seaside, plan forward.
Additionally take into account that you’re not going to seek out eating places, grocery shops, motels, or buying on the island. In case you’re interested in these facilities, there are good pet pleasant lodging choices in close by Berlin and Ocean Metropolis, Maryland.
Pet Pleasant Berlin, Maryland
Named the 2014 Coolest Small City in America by Price range Journey, the village of Berlin has an extended and fascinating historical past. What’s now the city’s principal road was initially a path utilized by the Assateague and Pocomoke Indians. It then turned the Philadelphia Submit Street, which linked facilities of commerce to the north and west in colonial occasions.
Immediately the town is a showcase of structure, with many buildings listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. The previous industrial buildings that line Primary Avenue now home artwork galleries, vintage outlets, boutiques, and a few improbable eateries. We selected the comfortable again patio at Blacksmith. The workers couldn’t have been nicer concerning the boys becoming a member of us, and the meals was scrumptious!
We hope our go to to the canine pleasant seaside on Assateague Island conjures up you! In case you’ve already been there, inform us about your favourite issues to do within the feedback under.
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