State Parks and National Parks

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Virginia side of Assateague Island, a windswept barrier island that straddles the Virginia-Maryland border. The 14,000-acre refuge also includes land on neighboring islands.

Visitors to the refuge bike or hike on numerous trails, fish and swim. The famous Chincoteague Wild Pony Roundup and related festivities occur each July.

One of the legends associated with the ponies is that they are descended from horses that swam ashore from a wrecked Spanish galleon centuries ago.

Wildlife abounds here, with many species of waterfowl and herons, egrets and sandpipers. The area is a winter home for many migratory birds.

On the Maryland side of the island is Assateague Island National Seashore which offers additional recreational opportunities including camping, backpacking, canoeing and kayaking.

The entry fee to either the refuge or the national seashore is $10 per vehicle, good for seven consecutive days.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Courtesy of Virginia Division of Tourism.