Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Assateague Island National Seashore, MD is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Assateague Island National Seashore. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Assateague Island National Seashore, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$40 - $80 / night
"We enjoyed bike riding around the island, catching glimpses of the wild ponies and running around on the beach."
"If you don’t mind wild horses joining you for dinner and trekking around your campsite at night, then this is your place!! The beach is absolutely gorgeous and so is the scenery."
$28 - $39 / night
", and was well situated, with a nice open space between the edge of the site and the dunes."
"There is an outdoor shower and sink as well as several paths to the beach. The beach is beautiful and clean."
$40 / night
"Whether you love camping in your RV or a tent, Assateague Island National Seashore is an incredible place to visit."
"Wild horses, wide, clean stretches of beach, safe surroundings, close to town. This is the best beach camping in all of Maryland."
"Due to the location near Ocean City, this campground is primarily a resort for people staying 1 or more weeks."
"Shuttle to Ocean City, MD was convenient and general store was close by and stocked well!"
$23 - $29 / night
"The best campground I've ever found in Maryland. Close proximity to both Ocean City and Assateague Island."
"It’s just 45 minutes away from the beach at Assateague Island and an hour or so to Ocean City or Chincoteague."
$65 - $350 / night
"The location is amazing. You are a stones throw away from the boardwalk at Ocean City Maryland.
The resort is very nice."
"An awesome campground located on the east coast near Ocean City, MD and the Atlantic Ocean. This was our first visit to Castaways. Lots to do and loads of fun. We love it!"
$19 - $71 / night
"I thought our site was tucked more in the forest based on the maps, but it was pretty close to the other sites. Good birdwatching from the site!
Definitely some insect pressure at the site."
"Caddy corner from the bath house, but not so close to be disturbing, & it was very clean w/ nice hot water showers & spacious adjacent changing area with bench & lots of hooks to hang towel"
"BUT we do pick them based on the outdoor activities we can do from the campground itself via bike riding or walking. Since we don’t bring a car location is very important to us."
"Campground has easy walking access to the National Park, shops, restaurants, and mini golf. Just outside the gate is the water park and food truck court."
$50 - $80 / night
"Very close to Ocean City beaches. Lots of restaurants and supermarkets near by. Had an excellent stay."
"Close to Ocean City if that is your thing. Great kayaking trail,deep freshwater lake. Great fishing. Nice pool and pavilion areas. Nice camp store. Miss Judy is the best. Perfect to relax"
$4200 / night
"People driving around in golf carts cheering, people playing board games at the campsite next door...sleep was difficult."
"Close to the Marina, Downtown, The Blvd and the Beach. Staff are helpful but also gives you space to live."
Guide8/15/2025
Arrived after dark to find that I had the campground to myself. As noted in other reviews, turn right as you drive past the office/house and let yourself in through the closed (but unlocked) gate. Since the last review, it appears they've added 11 sites on a branch if you bear left after the gate. These sites (8-18) are level, packed gravel pads with benches, fire pit, grill, and picnic table. The restroom featured on the map is just a portalet, but there is plenty of overflow parking in that branch. Apparently you're not supposed to pull onto the gravel with your vehicle, just park parallel to the road alongside it.
Another note about the gravel - can't get stakes in. Plus, it's a pine forest and I didn't want to get sap on my tent so I didn't tent adjacent to the pad amidst the pine needles. I did drive around the right branch (sites 1-7) in the morning to find that they are dirt/grass sites and probably would be ideal for tenting/staking (and in case you haven't guessed, I don't have a freestanding tent). The area is densely forested with pines and is quite pleasant in that regard.
TravelerWe loved it. Great for a long getaway or a quick one like ours. Loved our stay. It was clean and full of fun.
ScoutWe had a nice time & plan on returning.
ScoutPrivate.startup on a nice piece of land very close to Assateague. A little Rustic with some small cabins. RV sites are very large and located along a treeline. 30 amp power works fine but odd numbered sites have the outlet on the wrong side of the trailer. Power is for two sites. Economical but limits how you can park to how long your cord is. Very clean facilities. I think it’ll keep getting better every year.
TravelerWe stayed at site 411 for five nights. We'd reserved 406, but Sun Outdoors turned into KOA, so we got a different site lucky us, 'cause the middle ones were swampy with almost no space outside with sitting water on sites. The water at 411 drained after three days. The pull-through sites are long and nicely spaced. It's unnecessary, but rent a golf cart to get around the huge campground; it's great for going from your site to the pool, arcade, beach, or fishing pier. We tried crabbing with no luck and only caught one catfish. The staff was super helpful and friendly during all of our interactions.
Bring bug spray, tiki torches, and mosquito fog spray with all the sitting water around the campground.
TravelerWe’ve camped here twice and have had great experiences!
The sites are spacious, the bathhouses are clean, and we really enjoy the river view.
T-Mobile service is good here.
GuideThis is a VERY busy campground. Rigs in and out daily and nearly always full. None of the sites are level. Sites are mostly small and close together. The closer you are to the camp store, the louder and busier it is. Lots of kids. If you want quiet stay to the ends of the rows. E and F are quieter too. Park has a nature center, beaches, bike trails, history if you are interested. Bath houses were fine. Near lots of shopping and restaurants.
TravelerWe've stayed here on multiple occasions. The trailers are great and equipped with everything you need. Ours had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. Another time, we brought our own RV. Great water pressure and electric hookup. They have additional showers available in a separate building. Very clean with hot water. There's a small playground and a walking/running track. There's a pond you can use a canoe. They rent them in the office. The laundry facilities are amazing! I love to go here and return home without tons of stuff to wash (and it's free!). The facilities are very safe. The gate is operated 24/7 by a security guard. I feel very safe here with my kids even when they're playing on the road since the speed limit is 15 mph (I think). The staff here is always very friendly and helpful. There is nothing to buy once you're here and if you have something delivered they will have to meet you at the gate.
The beach and the shops are about 2-5 minute drive max. Beware, finding a parking spot at the beach is tough and not the cheapest.
It is a great town and we love it. I am grateful we have this available to us since we don't have many weekends together!
LegendWe got a site to stay on our way through to OBX. We booked and arrived after hours, which wasn’t an issue as they were like 3% occupied. Sites were pretty level (within 2 inches) and had centrally located bathhouse. We were at the north campground. The winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going. The views of the bridge were amazing. The noise of the coast guard waking up is alarming, but neat. It was trumpets and sounded like a horse race at 7am!
Camping near Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland, offers a unique experience filled with beautiful landscapes and the chance to see wild horses roaming freely. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping near Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland, is a fantastic way to enjoy nature, see wildlife, and create lasting memories with family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp in an RV at Assateague Island National Seashore?
Yes, RV camping is permitted at Assateague Island National Seashore, though with some limitations. While the National Seashore accommodates RVs, there are no hookups available. For those wanting full hookups near Assateague, Sun Outdoors Ocean City is just a short drive away with excellent amenities including a dog beach. Another nearby option is Jellystone Park™ Chincoteague Island, which offers a fantastic location for exploring the area by bike or on foot. Be aware that sites at Assateague itself can have soft sand and exposure to wind and salt spray, which some RVers find challenging.
What's the difference between Assateague State Park and Assateague National Seashore camping?
Assateague State Park Campground offers more amenities than the National Seashore, including electrical hookups in some loops (particularly valuable in this area) and more developed facilities. The State Park is also typically more accessible for reservations during peak season. In contrast, the National Seashore provides a more rustic experience with fewer amenities but often more spacious sites and a wilder feel. For those wanting to avoid the crowds at either location, Pocomoke River State Park Campground offers a forested alternative just 40 minutes away, providing shaded sites and a quieter atmosphere while still allowing easy day trips to Assateague.
Where are the best camping sites at Assateague Island National Seashore?
The best camping sites at Assateague Island National Seashore are found in the Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground, which offers incredible beach access with wild ponies often wandering through the campground. The oceanside sites provide gorgeous sunrise views over the Atlantic and dark night skies where you can see the Milky Way. For a different experience, the Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore offers more sheltered sites with beautiful sunset views over Sinepuxent Bay. Both locations allow you to fully experience the island's natural beauty, though oceanside sites tend to be more popular for their direct beach access.
What amenities are available when camping at Assateague Island?
Amenities at Assateague Island camping areas are intentionally basic to preserve the natural environment. Delaware Seashore State Park Campground, while not on Assateague itself but nearby, offers more extensive facilities for those wanting additional comforts. At Assateague proper, you'll find cold showers, chemical toilets, drinking water spigots, and picnic tables. There are no electrical hookups in the National Seashore sections, though some sites in the State Park area do offer electricity. Shad Landing Campground nearby offers a full-amenity alternative with electric hookups, shower facilities, and more developed camping infrastructure for those who want to visit Assateague during the day but prefer more comforts at night.
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