3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Horse camping near Assateague Island National Seashore offers dedicated equestrian campsites with direct access to beach and marsh riding trails along the Maryland coast. The horseback riding area includes toilets, drinking water, and trash disposal, though no electric hookups or showers are available. Horses and riders can access beach areas within designated zones, with wild horses frequently seen running through campsites and along shorelines. Secure food storage is essential as the island's wild horses actively investigate camping areas and can damage tents when searching for food.
The Maryland District of Assateague offers multiple access points to riding trails through both marsh and beach environments. Horse trailer parking is provided near the campground office on Bayberry Drive, allowing easy access to riding areas. Most riders arrive prepared with their own feed and equipment, as nearby services are limited. The camping area experiences significant seasonal variations, with warmer months bringing intense mosquito and biting fly activity that affects both humans and horses. Many campers report encountering the island's wild horses during early morning hours when the animals are most active around the campsites.
"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."
"Sites were not too close to one another. We had site 13 on ocean loop 1. Just a few steps, and you’re on the beach. Nice picnic table and fire pit."
Available this weekend
from $40 - $80 / night
"Whether you love camping in your RV or a tent, Assateague Island National Seashore is an incredible place to visit."
"As an equestrian this was a once in a lifetime adventure. Feral chincoteague ponies everywhere you look!"
from $40 / night
"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!"
"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."
from $4200 / night
"The distance between sites across the loop isn’t huge or blocked by any foliage but didn’t seem to be an issue for our friends who stayed in D24."
"It was also right near the showers, which were clean & warm, just what was needed. Tent sites are more secluded and are walk-in; our buddies tent camped the same weekend."
Available this weekend
from $17 - $53 / night
"The location (in between Dewey/Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach/Ocean City, Maryland) is PERFECT. You have close access to miles and miles of touristy beaches and uninhabited beaches."
"We stayed in a full hook up site, and we found the campground to be clean, well maintained and so close to the beach."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $132 / night
"Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season. Roosters here"
"Trails end has gate with campground I.d. or sticker access."
"The seasonal weekenders had gone home, and we preferred the larger, more private area behind the site to walk our dogs."
"We stopped for one night in order to see some friends and wished we would have had more time because the surrounding area looks like there is lots to do and see."
from $35 - $159 / night
GuidePretty easy camping trip, plenty of room to set up camp. Level spots. We stayed on south inlet campground. They have small camp store multiple laundry and bath houses. Great stay if you enjoy fishing, as. You can fish the inlet at the campground. They have a very nice playground for kids as well! Only negative is no camp fires allowed, they do have a community area you can have a camp fires allowed. Also no wifi
GuideEnjoyed the stay here June 19-21, 2026, in the tents-only section at a campground just 10 minutes from home. I've lived near this campground for 45 of my 66 years but never camped there.
The cramped campsites always turned me off but my wife and I decided to try it as a test run when we bought all new camping gear after not camping for 15 years(well, except for the 40-year-old Coleman stove that still works).
The campsites are tight and strictly BYOS(Bring Your Own Shade). The weather cooperated with temps in the low 80s and cool westerly winds. Because this campground sits adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Inlet and Indian River Bay, it fills up on weekends for camping, beach-going, fishing, kayaking and other water activities. I'd suggest going weekdays if you can.
Even with all the people, though, it was mostly quiet. The traffic from the Indian River Inlet bridge didn't bother me much but it did keep my wife up the first night. The bridge lights up at night and looks most spectacular at sunrise.
We ate dinner at camp the first night and then went to the inlet walkway to watch the sun set. The sunsets over the Indian River Bay, serenaded by the U.S. Coast Guard station's bugle calls with the lowering of the colors at its station at the north side campground, are a must. We also got to see a green heron foraging on the rockpiles and a dolphin swimming through the inlet. Fishermen lined the walkway to add to the atmosphere.
The next morning we drove over to the north side of the inlet to the Burton's Island trail-- another first for me. The trail was probably a mile or so and took about an hour, though it looked like we could have gone further into the brush had we not been wearing shorts and t-shirts. We came across a horseshoe crab traveling along a dirt path and a turtle trying to hide itself under downed tree branches. Blue water surrounded us in the marshes.
An excellent dinner at Matt's Fish House capped off our anniversary and we returned to the campground to watch the sunset again.
The bathrooms were well-placed. They were mostly clean but the five-second" Navy shower" intervals in the showers were annoying. There's no water or electric at the tent sites but a high-powered community water tap works for cleaning dishes.
The ban on open fires at the campground did disappoint. There is a community fire pit but no one used it our two nights there.
Oh, I can't forget the Diamondback turtles. Be careful driving so you don't hit them as they wander through the campground. We saw several lay eggs on the sand volleyball court and one scurried through our campsite and under our picnic table on its way to points unknown. The picnic table at each site is heavy but movable.
The people were friendly even in such crowded conditions. Lots of kids on bikes, skateboards and scooters and at the playground. Basically, you don't come here as much for the camping as you do for the water sports and activities.
As a tent camper, I'd opt for the tent-only loops versus the Standard sites that accommodate tents and small RVs and popups. Our tent-only loops looked less congested than the Standard sites.
I'd give this campground 4.5 stars. It would be an easy 5 if not for the crowded conditions.
ScoutWe have stayed here twice and have our 3rd trip booked and we absolutely love it! The lazy river and kiddy water slide park is amazing and our kids love it!
LegendWe stopped for one night in order to see some friends and wished we would have had more time because the surrounding area looks like there is lots to do and see. This is a really beautiful area of the Delmarva Peninsula and just minutes away from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuges and Assateague Island NS.
This campground is huge with a great selection of standard and premium RV sites that provide full hookups and spacious gravel or paved pads. Some have water views and some are back-in sites with the water directly behind them. Our site was a buddy site which worked great for our stay with our friends. It was long enough so we didn’t have to unhitch our tow car but still had enough room to maneuver into and out of the site and could reach our hook-ups. The site was perfectly level (in fact, all sites in the park are level as this is a very flat area) and the area where we parked the RV was paved and the rest of the driveway was gravel. The patio had pavers and our fire pit was raised with bricks around it. The utilities were well-placed and the 50-amp was strong and the water pressure good. Our site was in the open which we loved because it was cool when we visited so we relished the sunshine. There are plenty of other sites located under tall pines (which we really don’t like because of all the sap that gets on our coach and car). Many of the sites are rented as seasonal sites but there are plenty left for transient campers. The list of amenities is a mile long and covers the typical ones you would find at a “resort.” Some of the best ones are the zero-entry pool (which was closed while we were there) and splash park and the private beach. The sandy beach would be a nice place to bring a chair and hang out admiring the view of the bay. Most of the amenities (like the pool, recreation hall, café, and bounce pillow) are centrally located so keep that in mind when you are booking your campsite as you may, or may not, want to be in that area. The restrooms were clean and newer (keep in mind we were there very early in the season when the campground was practically empty). The laundry facilities were clean and there were plenty of machines (all but one didn’t work) and were reasonably priced. We really liked the access to water that this park provides Pocomoke Sound and the tidal pond. It’s a great place to relax in a chair, swim, or put in a kayak.
GuideParked with my class B van! Amazing you can hear the ocean at night. No electricity so be prepared. Horses will walk through your campsite. Clean and quiet. No cell service. Lots to do with hiking and beaching! Be prepared for cold outdoor showers!
GuideWasn’t sure at first… kind of a lot of money for one night with no sewer hook up, but the amenities make up for the price! The western show was so fun! Frontier town was cute and not too cheesy! Loved walking all the way around the park! Dog friendly!
GuideRight off the beach wild horses, deer, turkeys, and birds. Woke up and walked right out on the beach for some early morning beach combing, was a bit windy
ScoutWe allways have a blast everybody is so nice and lots to do
GuideFrom well spaced sites to helpful staff, Trap Pond is Delaware state parks crown jewel. The pond itself is beautiful, camp sites are well maintained and spaced apart nicely.
Equestrian camping near Assateague Island National Seashore provides access to over 37 miles of coastal terrain at elevations near sea level. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with summer highs reaching into the 90s and winter lows dropping below freezing. Coastal winds often exceed 15 mph, creating challenging conditions for setting up camp, particularly for those with larger tents or awnings.
Kayaking to sandbars: Launch directly from Tom's Cove Park to reach secluded areas unreachable by car. "My husband and son kayaked from the campground over to a lovely sand bar off of Assateague Island. They got within very close range of a herd of ponies grazing at low tide, hung out, and enjoyed their private slice of nature."
Mountain biking trails: Explore the network of gravel and dirt paths at Trap Pond State Park just over an hour from Assateague. "Good site space... Great biking (mountain and gravel). All in...would stay again," notes Gary D. The park offers both easy and moderate difficulty trails through pine forests.
Winter beach camping: Experience the shoreline during the quieter season at Oceanside Assateague Campground when crowds thin out. "We always go during the winter or early spring months to avoid the bugs as they are awful during the spring and summer," recommends Torie M. The cooler months also reduce biting fly activity that affects horses.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area offers primitive camping with excellent wildlife observation. "Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season. Roosters here," reports Wayne L. The area provides good terrain for equestrians seeking less crowded alternatives.
Sunrise coastal views: Waterfront sites at Delaware Seashore State Park offer direct access to early morning ocean vistas. "Our site was almost directly under the bridge (and also a power pole!) but this was cool, especially at night when the bridge was lit up," shares Lee D. The proximity to water allows campers to wake up to ocean sounds.
Evening campfires on the beach: After dusk, Bayside Assateague Campground permits campfires below the high tide line. "After dusk you can do beach fires as long as they're below the high tide line so they wash out," explains Tony P. This creates unique sunset viewing opportunities while enjoying the warmth of a fire.
Bug preparation essentials: Mosquitoes and biting flies are severe, especially in warmer months. "Love this place but be prepared for the bugs. Even enjoyed this in the winter," advises Michael W. from Bayside Assateague Campground. Standard repellent often proves ineffective against the persistent insects.
Horse interaction caution: Wild horses actively investigate campsites seeking food. "As soon as any food would come into 'nose-shot,' they would start advancing on us. We waited over an hour for them to lose interest and move on to the next site," describes Wendy W. Horses can become aggressive when they detect food.
Storm readiness requirement: Weather conditions change rapidly along the coast. "Well, we did get woken up by terrible thunderstorms, but that is not the campground's fault," notes Rita M. Sites typically drain well during storms, but high winds can damage unsecured equipment.
Free bike program: Look for campgrounds offering complimentary bicycle rentals. "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals," shares Lee D. about Trap Pond State Park. This saves packing space and equipment costs.
Theme weekends: Plan your equestrian camping trip around special events at family-oriented campgrounds. "This vacation beach RV park is super fun for the kids. They have old time plays, skits, and activities," explains Maya S. at Frontier Town, which also offers western-themed entertainment.
Consider shoulder seasons: Visit during May or September for moderate temperatures and reduced insect activity. "Tent sites, snack bar, warm showers and the ocean....what more could a camper want?" shares Lois at Bayside Assateague. The educational programs at visitor centers are less crowded during these periods.
Utility planning: Many campgrounds near Assateague have limited hookups. "No electric hookups or water which is expected for winter camping, we managed without for the night," notes Deanna G. who stayed at Bayside Assateague. RVs should arrive with full water tanks and charged batteries.
Sand management strategies: Beach campgrounds require special preparation for RV stabilizing. "Sites were level and paved along with some sand and grass. Also a picnic table—no fire rings at the sites, but there were a couple campfire areas scattered around the park," reports Gayle B. who stayed at Delaware Seashore State Park. Bring boards or specialized leveling blocks for sandy terrain.
Generator regulations: Rules vary significantly between campgrounds regarding generator use. "The campsites themselves were grassy, and mostly level. We were able to set up both of our tents, including the 17 foot long one. Each site has its own picnic table, but they do not have fire pits, although you are allowed to dig/build your own," explains Rita M. Always verify generator hours before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Assateague Island National Seashore?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Assateague Island National Seashore is Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore with a 4.5-star rating from 55 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Assateague Island National Seashore?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Assateague Island National Seashore, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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