If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Chincoteague Island, look no further. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Bay side back country campsite
Back Country Camping; ocean side
Bay side back country campsite
The campsite offers a quite, private, and secluded getaway from the business of life! Find serenity under the trees and stars!
$30 / 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.
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!
TravelerLots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season. Roosters here
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chincoteague Island, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chincoteague Island, VA is Pine Tree Backcountry Site — Assateague Island National Seashore with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Chincoteague Island, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Chincoteague Island, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
