ASSATEAGUE CAMPGROUND MAP CRACK

Stay left until you return to the trailhead. The dune sand then flattens as you enter a partially-shaded section dotted with coastal pines. Step down and you’ll soon reach a sign about the different types of poison ivy you may see along the trail, including clinging vine, ground vine and upright shrubs. A placard educates on native flora, like dune grasses, bayberries and beach heather. Some say that this great nor’easter led to creation of Assateague Island National Seashore in 1965.Ĭontinue on the trail and you will arrive at a wooden overlook at the. Since the destructive storm, nature has re-taken the area. Developers cleared land for 130+ side streets along Baltimore Boulevard.

ASSATEAGUE CAMPGROUND MAP CRACK

It was never rebuilt (thankfully).īroken asphalt slabs are used by gulls that drop clams on the hard surface to crack them open.

You’ll also see asphalt slab remains that you can walk on.īuilt in the 1950s, Baltimore Boulevard was destroyed by a storm in March 1962. 1-mile mark, stay left on this lollipop trail to learn more about the Baltimore Boulevard. However, there are lots of placards (free) on the trail too that educate on dune formation, native wildlife, even poison ivy on the sides of the sandy trail.Īt the. A self-guided trail guide is available for purchase at the visitor center. Within the first steps on this trail, you’ll see a number one on a sign. The highlight of this trail is the remains of a 15-mile road called Baltimore Boulevard that was constructed in the 1950s and extended to the Maryland-Virginia state line. Keep in mind that the terrain is almost entirely soft sand. #1: Life of the Dunes TrailĪt the far south end of Assateague Island National Seashore is the Life of the Dunes Trail. All three have bike racks and parking lots. The three trails are close to each other, but you may want to get in your car or on your bike to travel to each trailhead. Given the short length of each trail, it’s well worth the time. The three coastal trails are Life of the Dunes Trail (.8-miles), Life of the Forest Trail (.5-miles) and Life of the Marsh Trail (.5-miles).Įach easy trail allows visitors to explore a unique aspect of the national seashore. All three can be accessed from Bayberry Drive. There are three trails at Assateague Island National Seashore, a unit of the National Park Service that is open year-round. There is no fee for those entering on foot and on bicycles. Since we were entering the park on bikes, we did not need to pay the entrance fee of $25 per vehicle. This road turns into Bayberry Drive, which runs the length of the park, once you reach Assateague Island National Seashore (you’ll first pass Assateague State Park). However, there are aquariums, touch tanks, exhibits, restrooms and a bookstore inside the visitor center.įrom here, we biked across the Verrazano Bridge over Sinepuxent Bay, then turned right onto Stephen Decatur Highway (a two-lane road). On our visit, the visitor center was closed (you know, COVID). The Assateague Island Visitor Center is on the right, just before the Verrazano Bridge entrance to the national seashore.

Still, we loaded up our bikes in the minivan and made the drive to the visitor center at 11800 Marsh View Lane in Berlin, Maryland. Honestly, I was surprised to open up Apple Maps on my iPhone and learn in real-time that the national seashore was a solid hour away from us. However, Assateague Island National Seashore (visitor center, hiking trails, campgrounds) is not quite as close. We biked from the KOA to the wildlife refuge to explore on two wheels.įrom Chincoteague, Assateague Island is close. The wildlife refuge is also less than one mile from the Chincoteague Island KOA Resort. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is located on Assateague Island. To be clear, Chincoteague is really only steps from Assateague Island. Getting to Assateague Island National Seashore Getting to Assateague Island National Seashore.

Assateague campground map