The national seashore campgrounds are beautiful and dry. Full hookups are at the state park and in private parks on the mainland and Chincoteague.
Assateague Island National Seashore is a barrier island split between Maryland and Virginia, home to wild horses, long beaches and marshes. Camping is only in the Maryland district. The Virginia side, near Chincoteague, has no camping on the island, but it has several full-hookup private RV parks within a few miles.
The two national seashore campgrounds, Oceanside and Bayside, are drive-in and dry: no hookups, a picnic table and a fire ring at every site, and $40 per night. Reservations are required from March 15 to November 15 and open six months ahead. The park says weekend sites often sell out on the first day they are released.
Assateague State Park, next door, has more than 300 sites with electric in some loops and a dump station. Pocomoke River State Park’s Shad Landing campground is a larger alternative about 30 miles away.
| Seashore camping | $40 per night; no hookups; 50% off with senior or access pass |
|---|---|
| Reservations | Required March 15–November 15; recreation.gov up to 6 months ahead; 877-444-6777 |
| Entrance | $25 for 7 days (Maryland); $45 annual pass also covers the Virginia district |
| Showers | Seasonal cold-water showers, mid-March to mid-November |
| Toilets | Chemical toilets at the seashore campgrounds |
| Winter | Oceanside Loop 2 is first come, first served November 16–March 14 |
Lengths are the open question here. The seashore pages do not publish them, so call before booking a large rig.
Camping runs year-round, with reservations required from mid-March to mid-November.
| Time of year | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (April–May) | Mild days, fewer bugs and good horse watching. Book at the start of the six-month window. |
| Summer | Hot, busy and buggy. Showers are open, but sites are hardest to get. |
| Fall (September–October) | Warm water, fewer crowds and better evenings. Often the best RV season. |
| Winter | Oceanside Loop 2 is first come, first served November 16–March 14. Expect cold wind and no showers. |
Rates for the seashore come from the National Park Service. State and private details come from park listings and RV sites, so confirm them directly.
Best for: Dune and beach camping on the Maryland side.
Watch out: Chemical toilets, cold-water showers in season, and heavy insect pressure in summer.
Best for: Marsh and bay views with sunsets, and year-round booking.
Watch out: Bugs can be intense. Bring screens and repellent.
Best for: Beach camping with electric and a dump station.
Watch out: Big-rig and pet-friendly loops are limited. Check the loop before you book.
Best for: A quieter overflow option when the island is full.
Watch out: Mostly dry camping; check which loops have electric.
Best for: Full hookups and a pool close to the Virginia side.
Watch out: Peak-season rates are high. Book well ahead.
Best for: Large park less than a mile from the seashore.
Watch out: Lively and family-focused. Choose a quiet loop if you want peace.
Ocean City, Maryland has more RV parks on the mainland, but the strip and bridge traffic are slow in summer. Read each park’s access directions before you book.
All three plans assume you arrive on a weekday and book as early as possible.
First-timers with a reservation at the seashore.
Travelers who want the lighthouse and wildlife refuge.
Anyone who wants to spread the miles.
Feral horses roam the beach and campgrounds. Watch from a distance, never feed them, and keep food locked away.
A long, uncrowded beach on the Maryland side. Lifeguards are seasonal, so check swim conditions.
Quiet marshes, sunsets and birds. A good place to kayak or paddleboard on calm days.
On the Virginia side. A wildlife loop road and bird watching, plus the island’s well-known ponies.
A striped lighthouse in the Virginia refuge. Check opening times and climbing rules before you go.
Ocean City has the boardwalk and amusements. Berlin is a small-town stop with shops and cafés.
Plan the drive between sides. The Maryland and Virginia districts are separate roads. Drive around the mainland and allow about an hour each way.
Mind the horses. They graze beside roads and campsites. Slow down and don’t block them.
Parking is limited. Beach lots fill on summer weekends. Arrive early and leave the RV at camp when you can.
Fill up, shop and dump on the mainland before you reach the island. The seashore campgrounds are remote. The NPS lists drinking water, chemical toilets and seasonal showers only.
Bring enough water and groceries for your stay, plus screens, bug repellent and a way to anchor awnings in the wind.
Fees from the National Park Service and RV park listings. Confirm current amounts before booking.
| Item | What we found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Seashore campsite | $40 per night | 50% off with senior or access pass. |
| Entrance (Maryland) | $25 per vehicle for 7 days | Annual pass $45 covers Maryland and Virginia. |
| Virginia 1-day pass | $10 per vehicle | Sold at the Virginia entrance station. |
| Group site | $80 per night | Tent-only, 7–25 campers. |
| Private RV park | Varies by season | Check each park’s rates. |
Fees are the amounts listed by the managing agency when this guide was checked. Use the budget worksheet to add fuel, groceries and contingency.
NPS says pets are not allowed in the Virginia district, even inside a vehicle. A pet-friendly Chincoteague campground does not change that rule.
Not at the national seashore. Assateague State Park has electric in some loops, and private parks in Chincoteague have full hookups.
Reservations are required from March 15 to November 15 and open six months ahead through Recreation.gov. Winter camping at Oceanside Loop 2 is first come, first served.
$40 per night at the national seashore, with 50% off for senior and access passholders.
No. Camping on the island is only in Maryland. Virginia has private RV parks on Chincoteague Island.
They are wild animals and can kick or bite. Keep your distance, don’t feed them and lock up food.
April–May and September–October are comfortable with fewer insects. Summer is the busiest and buggiest.
Rules were checked October 21, 2026. Maximum RV lengths and dump station details were not on the pages we read, so confirm them with the park.