Searching for a place to camp with your dog near Chincoteague Island? Find the best sites near Chincoteague Island where you bring your dog and enjoy a scenic view. These scenic and easy-to-reach Chincoteague Island campsites are perfect for camping with dogs.
Assateague Island National Seashore is a 37-mile long barrier island on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia. Famed for its wild horses, this barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves. Assateague Island, dedicated as a National Seashore on September 1, 1965, lays claim to a long and rich history. Today's visitors can explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays. Only a couple of miles wide at its broadest point, the island's terrain offers shelter to the famed wild horses as well as sika deer, ghost crabs, and migrating birds such as the great blue heron and snowy egret. Favorite recreational activites include fishing, surfing, beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing. The Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) Zone at Assateague Island contains miles of unspoiled beaches managed by the National Park Service to accommodate OSV enthusiasts and other beach goers. The Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park, and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge work together to manage and protect this unique, diverse strip of land. For more information visit the Assateague Island National Seashore website .
Activities are abundant on the island, with both crabbing and clamming as well as a long stretch of beach for swimming, kayaking and fishing.
Assateague Island, famed for its wild horses, lies off the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Coast. This barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves. The Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park, and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge each manage and protect this unique, diverse strip of land. For more information visit the Assateague Island National Seashore website .
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers a 14,000-acre wildlife preserve located at the southern end of Assateague Island. To the north, Assateague State Park features two miles of pristine ocean beaches. Ocean City, Maryland is only about 10 miles away with a 2.5 mile long boardwalk filled with shops, restaurants, and a wide variety of entertainment options. The historic town of Berlin is about 10 miles west of Assateague, offering many shops and restaurants.
Cancellations/Modifications: Customers can modify/cancel reservations starting 18 days after the reservation was made. Customers cancelling a reservation will be charged a $10.00 service fee. Customers wishing to modify a reservation can do so online or over the phone with Recreation.gov and may be subject to a $10.00 service fee. Late Cancellations: Customers who cancel a reservation the day before or the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first nights use fee. Cancellations for a 1-night stay will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to the additional service fee. Early Departures: Customers wishing to early depart before 11am can receive a refund for that night and subsequent nights provided they are off the campsite completely by 11am. Customers wishing to early depart after 11am can receive a refund for subsequent days, but will not get a refund for the current night. ANY early departure requires that you stop at the Ranger Station to check out with the rangers or no refunds will be given. (See Need to Know)
$50 - $80 / night
Assateague State Park camping is Maryland's only oceanfront park. It is located on Assateague Island, a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Sinepuxent Bay on the west. Its two miles of ocean beaches offer swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing and fishing. The bayside offers visitors the chance to explore secluded coves by canoe or kayak. The marsh areas have a variety of wildlife, including deer, waterfowl and feral horses. -342 sites are available, each with a fire ring and picnic table. -Electric hook-ups are available in the G-Loop and a limited number of sites in I-Loop only. -Most campsites can be reserved from the last week of April through the last weekend of October.
$28 - $39 / night
Enjoy the natural beauty of Virginia's Eastern Shore and the family-friendly fun of Chincoteague Island camping at our waterfront campground. We have a place for every type of camper to call home. You can get back to basics on a primitive tent site, sleep above the ground in a tree tent, try it before you buy it in an RV Rental, add a little luxury to your RVing with a deluxe patio site, sleep like an adventurer in a safari tent or get the ultimate glamping experience in one of our deluxe cabins or Island Bungalows. There are tons of amenities to keep you busy during your stay on Chincoteague Island. Take a dip in our pool, let the kids burn off some energy on our jump pillow or at our playground, take your pup to the dog park, or get in on the fun at the activities center. We also have a full slate of events and themed weekends, so there's never a dull moment. We're located in the heart of Chincoteague, so everything is at your fingertips. We're just one mile from the sandy beaches and wild ponies of Assateague Island National Seashore and great restaurants and shopping are just a short drive away. One of the island's premier attractions is just steps from the campground. At Maui Jack's Waterpark, you can cool off and relax in the lazy river or get your adrenaline pumping on twisting water slides. There's an area just for kids with fountains, tipping buckets and waterfalls and adults can lounge in a cabana or grab a cocktail and a snack from Keko's Bar and Grill.
Oceanside Drive-in: Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $30 per night. Oceanside Walk-in: Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking areas. Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites are $30 per night. Walk-in sites are closed from November 16 through March 14.
$30 / night
$23 - $29 / night
$4200 / night
$19 - $71 / night
The mainland portion of the park offers over 100 campsites, 49 of which are equipped with electrical hook-ups to accommodate tent or vehicle campers.
Each site is equipped with a camping pad, picnic table, fire ring and lantern post.
Three centrally located bath houses have hot water showers and flush toilets.
Campers must arrive and check-in before quiet hours start at 10:00 PM. Campers who arrive after 10:00 PM will not be allowed into the park and will have to find other accommodations for the night.
Backcountry Campsites and Permits The primitive backcountry campsites are equipped with tent platforms and boat landings. Campers at these environmentally sensitive sites must obtain a permit from the park and strictly follow Leave No Trace principles. Call the park at 410-968-1565 for more information about backcountry permits.
Youth Group Camping The park offers a 30 person youth group site, featuring a shaded but open area with a stone fire pit, group grill and picnic tables.
Full Service Cabins Four rustic waterfront cabins are available for rent year round. Each sleeps six persons and is equipped with three bedrooms, a common area, kitchen, bathroom, a screened porch with picnic table, air conditioning, heat, gas log fireplaces (available seasonally), an outdoor fire ring with a grill, a picnic table and ample parking. Cabin kitchens are equipped with an oven, stove, refrigerator, coffee pot, microwave, basic cooking utensils and service for six. Renters must provide their own towels and bedding (linens, pillows and blankets).
Camper Cabins Four waterfront camper cabins that sleep four are available during the camping season. Each has a capacity of four persons and is equipped with air conditioning and heat, electric, a table and chairs, either two sets of bunk beds or a double bed and a set of bunk beds, ceiling fan, a picnic table and fire ring. Occupants must use the campground bathhouses.
Located just outside of Crisfield on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Janes Island State Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty and bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. Within the mainland portion of the park are the campground, with 103 campsites, rental cabins, a lodge, picnic areas, pavilions, and the boat ramp and marina.
The island portion of the park – Janes Island – includes over 2,900 acres of saltmarsh, over 30 miles of water trails and miles of isolated pristine beaches. Although people have harvested the resources of the island for thousands of years, today the island is wild and seemingly untouched. A haven for birds, fish, crabs and other saltmarsh dwellers, Janes Island provides visitors a tranquil setting to explore the wildlife of the bay while enjoying the expansive vistas and stunningly beautiful sunsets. Whether fishing or crabbing, motor boating, paddling or simply relaxing, visitors to Janes Island will experience a world still ruled by the weather, the tides and the wildlife that first drew people to this very special place.
The park offers ADA accessible restrooms and four accessible campsites. The park store, nature center, picnic pavilions, recreation area, fish cleaning station and dock area are also ADA accessible.
There is no fee to enter the park for day-use, but there is a fee to use the park's boat ramp. ($7.00 for Maryland residents. $9.00 for out of state residents.)
$21 - $87 / night
Located along the beautiful Sinepuxent Bay just five miles from Ocean City, Sun Outdoors Frontier Town (formerly Frontier Town Campround) offers an award-winning camping experience that the whole family will love! Choose from nearly 600 campsites and enjoy all the amenities we have right on site!
Relax on the Lazy River winding through the Water Park while the kids race down the waterslides. Play 18 holes of Miniature Golf amongst a peaceful setting of waterfalls and shade trees. Take a step back in time at the Western Experience, featuring our classic Wild West Shows and Native American Village. And keep in mind, we have plenty of camper-only deals! If you stay with us during peak season, you’ll receive FREE access to the Water Park and Western Theme Park.
Prefer things a bit more leisurely? Head bayside to the 200-foot-long fishing pier. Go for a kayak tour or fishing charter. Take part in our planned activities. Visit the arcade and gift shop. Stroll along the nature trails. We even havetwo dog parks for your furry family members to enjoy! And if you forget something or need a meal away from the campfire, our fully-stocked camp store, full-service restaurant and bar, and ice cream parlor are sure to fix you right up.
Just an hour’s drive south of Dover, Trap Pond State Park is a 3600-acre recreation area that features a freshwater wetland that supports one of the last natural stands of baldcypress trees. The pond was created in the 1700s when it was dammed to provide power for the local sawmills that were harvesting the area’s old-growth timber. Once the trees were gone, the area was used as a drainage for the surrounding farmlands. Finally, in the 1930s, the state acquired the land and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) rehabilitated Trap Pond and surrounding woodland as a nature preserve and recreation space. This created Delaware’s first state park. It has since become a haven for herons, owls, woodpeckers and eagles, and a place where campers and recreationists can enjoy some outdoor time.
The campground at Trap Pond features 142 sites for tent and RV campers. Sites are set in five wooded loops: A, B, and C Loops have back-in sites with full hookups; D Loop has pull-through sites with full hookups; E Loop has primitive, walk-in tent sites. Each site is equipped with picnic tables and fire rings with grills. All camp loops have access to bathhouses with showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, and trash and recycling receptacles; a dump station is available near the campground entrance. The campground also has a picnic pavilion and kids’ playground between A and B Loops. The park also offers several rustic cabins and a couple yurts. Dogs are permitted, but must remain leashed. Campsite rates are $15–$25; cabin and yurt rates are $40–$52; reservations accepted.
The nature center at Trap Pond is a good place to start a visit to the park. Interpretive exhibits and nature programs provide information about the history of the wetlands, as well as its flora and fauna. Once acquainted with the park, it’s time to hit the trails and water to discover more and enjoy the natural setting. More than 10 miles of multi-use trails invite hikers, bikers and horseback riders to explore the woods and wetlands. Paddlers can take to the ponds and explore 2.5 miles of water trails. Boat rentals are available in the park, as well as launches and docks for small watercraft. For anglers, common catches in the ponds include pickerel, crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Visitors can also play at the sports courts or disc golf course, or take in bird-watching for waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors.
$21 - $150 / night
Guide
Unfortunately, there was a fire ban and extremely windy conditions, which is out of the parks control so I didn't get to enjoy it as much. From what I have experienced, it was amazing! The hike trails are so beautiful and being by the water was a complete experience! I got to see the sunset for the first time in a long time. Park was clean and well maintained. Bathroom was clean and WARM! they also have showers. They sale firewood at the cabin store but the store is only opened Thursday- Sunday
Legend
General: There are two units to this state park campground - one north of the Charles W. Cullen Memorial Bridge and one on the south side. We stayed on the south side, so this review focuses on this part of the park. The south side has over 300 campsites, some with hookups and some without. I don’t know what the difference is between the designated tent sites and the sites with no hookups. Regardless of which type of site you choose, there is NO privacy/separation between sites, however, we were there on a Monday the week after Memorial Day and while the sites with the hookups were completely full, there were plenty of empty non-hookup sites.
Site Quality: All of the non-hookup sites are sand/grass/gravel and completely level; the hookup sites have paved camper pads (and are also level). As mentioned above, there is zero privacy/separation between sites, but this is the price you pay for easy and close beach access!
Bath/Shower house: Reasonably clean, especially being so close to the ocean. No garbage receptacle which was slightly annoying. The utility hooks are outside of the showers compromising some privacy. I didn’t use the shower so I cannot comment further.
Activities/Amenities: This is a popular fishing spot on the inlet. There is direct access to the beach under the bridge where there are restaurants, concessions, and other activities at the Big Chill Beach Club. There is also a pedestrian walkway on the bridge which was kind of cool. The playground is large and modern. There is a camper store, but it was not open when we were there. The dumpsters are a bit of a walk depending on where your site is located. 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.
I’m glad we were not there on a weekend OR in the hookup sites; we had no neighbors directly on either side of us so it felt more private, but I would imagine that on weekends when all sites are completely full, it would be a different story!
Traveler
Good site space.. no check in before time. We were there Halloween so all sites full. Great biking(mountain and gravel). All in..would stay again
Scout
Used to be a great campground, than Sun Outdoors bought it out increased rates. Now it is grossly overpriced.
Scout
Me and a friend came in on motorcycles and stayed in the primitive tent sites and had a great time. Stayed a few weeks before Halloween and there were plenty of festive activities going on.
Legend
General: Large campground in 10 units (A-J). J is a walk-in tent site only; the others all have paved camper pads. The layout is horizontal so that all units are close to the ocean. Some back right up to the dunes while the ones on the other side of the loops have a tree barrier separating the sites from the ocean. 80-100 wild horses roam free on the beach and throughout the campground. You are instructed to give them a 40-foot berth. Generators need to be “whisper quiet” and the hours are strictly enforced (although the camper in the site next to us did not understand the definition of whisper quiet; when we asked the camp host, we were told it was up to the ranger to police this).
Site Quality: Sites are level and paved. Each comes with a picnic table and a fire ring. Although there is nothing to physically separate the sites, they are located a modest distance apart from each other. I don't believe there are hookups in any of the sites.
Bath/Shower House: Modern and very clean. Hot water from the taps was appreciated. The showers looked nice, but we did not use them.
Activities/Amenities: There is beach access from each loop in the campground and miles of beach await you. There is a beach toy lending station, and it was filled with toys. A little free library, recycling, and dishwashing sinks. The visitor center sells ice and other basic sundries. Only saw a couple of horses as we arrived but a site across and down from us had four horses wander into their site when they were making hot chocolate, and they wouldn’t leave! As we were leaving the next morning, we saw many horses. They tended to congregate in the sites closer to the entrance.
We were only able to spend one night here. The check-in time of 2 pm is strict as is the check-out time of 11 am, which was a bit of a bummer. Wish we could have spent more time here and would definitely return.
Guide
We stayed at this campground to be close to Ocean City for Ocean Calling music festival in September 2024...It is a great family rv Park...Lots of amenities...clean...close to OC or Historic Berlin...After the in-season fee and lock site fee...our nightly overall cost was $145...I will stay again next year if we attend the music festival. Only 4 stars b/c the showers need upgrading.
Scout
Doesnt allow tent camping
Traveler
Amazing state park in the woods. Lots to do for the kids.
GuideHad a great time. Came with an outdoorsy circle of friends and we all had a awesome time at Assateague. The Atlantic was pretty rough but we still had a lot of fun at the beach. Our site was perfect too. We were very close to the bathrooms, showers, and the beach. The sound of the beach at night makes for great natural white noise. Chickens and horses might wake you up at a reasonable early hour, which isn’t a problem for me since I’d probably oversleep myself
ScoutWe have been here many times before and it continues to be our favorite. Every weekend there’s a band or Dj at the beach at night and every visit we have made friends. There are usually food trucks and things for the kiddos like bounce houses during the day but just check the website for events (always subject to change so don’t hold that against them) People are always super friendly, kind and welcoming. The rules are what the standard should be for all campgrounds and even if you bend them a bit they aren’t jerks about it if you aren’t. We LOVE it and always hate to leave even though we pay the $25 to stay to 8pm on departure day, it’s never long enough. It truly is our happy place.
GuideWe had a wonderful time camping at Assateague State Park. We have camped here 5 times now.
The bath houses are always clean and well stocked and the showers are warm. The park rangers make their appearance known throughout the park and always available to help. The park is beautiful with paved bike/walking trail. You will definitely see horses throughout your stay. This is one of our favorite campgrounds.
ScoutAssateague Gone is the Assateague Island RV campground that we grew up with all our lives! Not only has some genius made the executive decision[in recent years] to REPLACE all the park's glorious sandy campsites with knee high pricker-grass...(which has NOTHING to do with preserving the dunes)...but now, they ONLY MOW their weed-filled sites once in a blue moon...and they REFUSE to mow it upon request(when you arrive at your personal, bug-infested jungle, for your 14-day vacation)...so, you can't even sit around your campfire ring or play a game of cornhole. I guess they'have us', since they're the only oceanside State Park RV campground, around. And for what? It's not as if they can't afford to mow it. It's not as if camping/campers have declined. Now there's nowhere to camp anymore where you can gather around the campfire with your toes in the sand. Heartbreaking!
Traveler
We absolutley loved this campground. It had some of the cleanest bathrooms for a State Park. The sites were spaced out. Close to the ocean.
TravelerThe camp hosts are so nice, helpful,caring and friendly. Bathroom very clean. Sites not very private but nice and the wild ponies!!! Amazing
I had a non electric site The electric sites r very hard to book and need to be booked a year in advance.
GuideWe parked the trailer in the pouring rain. Now I own rain gear... Go figure. :-)
We spent 4 nights there and it was amazing. There is so much to do in the area.
GuideWe took our travel trailer down for a long weekend at the end of the season. It was pretty full, but didn't feel crowded. There are a few (seasonal) restaurants with in a few minutes walk/drive.
There is an unmarked speed bump on the way in, so go SLOOW.
GuideOur second time staying here. Spacious campsites in the D loop with half-circle drive in. Clean bath houses and facilities.
Decent walking trails around the lake. Lots of water activities in you're into that.
Camp store has the basics plus a few extras. Firewood for sale at reasonable price.
Scout
Wonderful campground with tons of amenities, including a snack bar, private beach and tiki bar with live music! Also has cabins. Downside: Pricy$$$
RangerDid a fourth of July visit and it was such a blast! We stayed in camp loop C and we had plenty of space for our 10-person tent and we stayed up pretty late enjoying the weather, laughing, and eating lots of fun camp snacks. The Canoe trails are absolutely beautiful and the horizon seems to go on endlessly. When we were there the day's canoe outings were cancelled due to weather and storm forecasts. We were able to enjoy the state parks edu series on how to catch soft crabs and ofc went out and got soft crabs and ate them at a local restaurant before we left. There are also some modest walking trails - but the main attraction are the canoe trails of course that go all the way out to the ocean for those with that level of expertise.
GuideThis is a cool place to visit. They have a beach with a little tiki bar and a really nice pool.
Guide
If you can make it their Halloween season is awesome. It usually lasts every weekend through October. Lots of activities for the kids.
Guide
I grew up here and the beach camping is awesome if you have a self contained vehicle that is 4x4. A permit is required but it's for 12 months. Beware if the wind is out of the west the bugs are vicious.
Guide
I have been going to VA Lndg. for years. It is very isolated, make sure you have everything you need, it's a 30 minute drive to the Walmart. Great fishing, crabbing and just plain relaxation. The bugs can be friendly at times. Unfortunately the facilities are starting to get rundown, the owner's do not like to spend money on the amenities. The boating is great in the area but you will have to go back to Quinby to use the boat ramp.
GuideVery nice campground with a nice pool, ball field and pavilions, not to mention it's right on the Pocomoke River.
RangerThis campground has been Eagle's Nest, Castaways and now it's been taken over by Sun Resorts. Very nice, but you are paying for that as well. We stayed on an Island Oasis site. These sites are small and we paid $250 for a weekend. This was before the pools were even open yet. There are things on site to do....they have a Tiki Bar, nice restrooms, a lovely beach, but you would expect that from a campground like this. If you are looking for the kids to be busy and not around, this is your place....we went as part of a shakedown for our camper, just to make sure that all the systems were working. I thought about going again, but the prices are a little unreal for just camping.
There is a neat brewery close by.....we really enjoyed that!
RangerWhen we retire, we are going to take the camper and stay here for a week….better yet, might have to try the campground host thing……that's how much I love going here! I'm sure spring and fall are best because bugs in Assateague are notorious! It's also the reason that all of our trips have been in the fall! It's so beautiful. We have only had our battery power both times we have been there, but we've never been unhappy. There is so much to do….walks, bike riding, watching the horses….our big joke seems to be that the horses show up the same time everyday and I swear they have a button up at the ranger station that they use that's like *Cue the horses*! Seriously though, this is a GREAT PARK! Bathrooms are clean and tidy, you can hear the ocean on a nice day….it's just peaceful and relaxing! Never have too much of an issue getting the camper level and the sites are amazing in size compared to the commercial places close by. To make a reservation, you will need to start going in when they let sites loose. We'd love full hooks up here, but we will have solar soon. Just so much wu sah there!
I'm including two trips to include our pictures from when we owned our teardrop Minion. This is a fun way to get out of a tent and be comfy! Highly recommended!
Chincoteague Island, Virginia, offers a variety of pet-friendly camping options for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with their furry companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chincoteague Island, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chincoteague Island, VA is Bayside Assateague Campground — Assateague Island National Seashore with a 4.5-star rating from 55 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chincoteague Island, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 34 dog-friendly camping locations near Chincoteague Island, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
