Horse camping near Ocean Pines, Maryland gives visitors direct access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Chincoteague Bay. Located on a barrier island 11 miles from Ocean Pines, equestrian campers often face wind conditions of 10-20 mph due to the exposed coastal position. The Maryland district's equestrian facilities connect to miles of mixed terrain trails that range from sandy beaches to maritime pine forests.
What to do
Kayaking at Assateague Island National Seashore: Both bayside and oceanside sections offer different water experiences within the same park. "We enjoyed the very clean facilities that the park offered. During our time we were able to do some hiking along the 37 mile long park, kayak on the ocean, and Bay, see some wild ponys that rove the park" notes a visitor at Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground.
Beach fires after sunset: Many equestrian campers appreciate the option for evening fires. "After dusk you can do beach fires as long as they're below the high tide line so they wash out," explains a camper at Assateague.
Stargazing on clear nights: The barrier island location provides minimal light pollution for astronomy. A camper at Bayside Assateague Campground calls it a "Magical" experience and notes "Hiking and boys nearby to kayak or canoe at. Beautiful place to stay."
What campers like
Free bicycle access: Several state parks in the region offer complimentary bikes. At Trap Pond State Park Campground, "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals (in season)."
Multiple beach options: The region offers varying levels of beach access. "Assateague Island also has TWO bike/hike access beaches, and those are our favorite. You can drive to Assateague from Chincoteague with your bikes, and then park. One bike beach is off of the Wildlife Loop, and is on pavement the whole way," shares a visitor to Tom's Cove Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Horse campers appreciate the wildlife interactions. One camper at Bayside Assateague notes, "A deer hung out by the campfire at night, and in the morning there were horse tracks all over the sight. We chose to stay in October with less people and less bugs."
What you should know
Seasonal bug conditions: Mosquitoes and flies are consistently mentioned in reviews. "Love this place but be prepared for the bugs. Even enjoyed this in the winter," warns a camper at Bayside Assateague, while another says, "It's beautiful here, horses are cool, beach is great, but the bugs stink! Bring some deet it's the only thing that works!"
Wind exposure: Horse camping areas have minimal wind protection. "Prepare for wind," advises a visitor to Oceanside Assateague, noting "It is really neat to be able to camp right on the sand dunes and by the beach but prepare for lots of wind. Check the weather a lot because the storms roll in quickly."
Wildlife management: Horses at equestrian campgrounds require special precautions. A visitor to Horse Camping — Assateague Island National Seashore noted their experience: "The Ponies are giant trash pandas. They're smart and can open latches so do bring bungee cords, kayak straps, or ratchet straps to lock all of your food in cases or coolers."
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak scheduling: For quieter horse camping experiences, timing matters. "The tent camping area is nearly always quiet during the week. The campground is filled to max capacity on only the holiday weekends and Pony Penning," explains a visitor to Tom's Cove Park.
Beach selection strategy: Different beaches offer varying experiences. "The beach on the other side had no lifeguard, but dogs were allowed on that beach and the water seemed a bit calmer and clearer over there," notes a camper at Delaware Seashore State Park Campground.
Communication tools: The large size of local campgrounds makes walkie-talkies helpful. One family found "having a decent radio for my husband and I helps with family management when out in the wild."
Tips from RVers
Parking logistics: RVers at horse campgrounds should arrive early. "Sites were very well marked. Friendly staff. Beautiful views. Ocean was a short 5 minute walk from our campsite- along with a playground and delicious restaurant (that even served vegan food!)!" reports an RV camper at Delaware Seashore State Park.
Site selection criteria: When choosing sites near equestrian areas, consider proximity to facilities. "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," advises an RV camper.
Weather preparation: RVers camping with horses need extra weather planning. "Weather conditions can change rapidly on the barrier island, so riders should prepare for wind and potential salt spray during beach rides."
