Can You Rent Horses To Ride On Assateague Island?

You must bring your own horse. The national seashore does not offer horses for rent or horseback riding tours.

What is the best way to see the horses on Assateague Island?

The best option is to park at the State Park or National Park day-use area and enjoy a walk along the trails or beach in search of the horses in their natural habitat. There is no guarantee that by paying the service charge visitors will see horses.

What is the best time to see the horses on Assateague Island?

The best time to see the Assateague Island horses is from late April through mid-October. 300 ponies live on the island. Sometimes the ponies are far away out in the marsh, so it is a good idea to bring a good pair of binoculars with you.

How do you get around Assateague Island?

There Are Several Ways To Get Around Assateague Island
You can get around on foot or by kayak, Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV), and horseback (allowed on beaches). Kayak touring is a popular way to see the wildlife, especially on the bay side of the island. Hikers have three options, each less than a mile long.

Can you just drive through Assateague Island?

By Vehicle
There is no vehicle access between the two entrances on Assateague Island. Vehicles must return to the mainland to access either the north or south entrance.

How much does an Assateague pony cost?

2021— $416,950
Average cost $16,295 (buybacks). This year holds the record for the low bid: $2,400 (increase of $600 from 2020).

What time do the ponies swim back to Assateague?

Slack tide is a period of about 30 minutes between tides, when there is no current. This is the easiest time for the ponies to make the swim. The time of slack tide varies each year. However, the swim generally takes place some time between 7am and 1pm.

Can you drive to see the horses on Assateague Island?

Note: You cannot drive all the way through Assateague Island. You have to drive back to the mainland to go between Assateague National Seashore and Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge which is about 56 miles.

Is it better to go to Assateague or Chincoteague?

Go to the Beach
Assateague Island National Seashore is 37 miles long and renowned for its wild horses and sandy beaches while Chincoteague is only 7 miles long and better known for its marshes, dunes, forests, and more.

Do the horses on Assateague drink salt water?

“A common visitor misconception is that the Assateague horses have evolved to drink salt water. Fortunately for the horses and other wildlife there are many naturally occurring freshwater ponds like the one in front of you scattered throughout the island.

Can you swim in the ocean at Assateague?

Where can I swim at Assateague State Park? You can swim anywhere along the ocean, a designated swim sector is located at the Day Use beach and is signified by flags on the north and south boundary. No surfing, kayaking, or fishing is permitted in the swim sector. No lifeguards are on duty; swim at your own risk.

Do you have to pay to get into Assateague Island?

Individual: $15.00 – 7 Days (per person 16 years of age or older when entering by means other than a private, non-commercial vehicle, such as taxis and limousines providing transportation only; buses carrying passengers not on a pre-packaged tour such as school groups visiting for recreational purposes; and buses or

Can you sleep in your car at Assateague Island?

Call 757-336-6577 for information. Maryland — Assateague Island National Seashore does not close, but overnight parking in the MD OSV Zone is prohibited except for those who are awake and actively engaged in fishing or those with a Bullpen permit. Camping and/or sleeping on the beach is strictly prohibited.

Are there bathrooms on Assateague Island?

The best part of Assateague Island is the fact that it has both toilets AND SHOWERS. Normally beaches like Ocean City, Rehoboth, Dewey, etc, do not have showers or public restrooms. But because Assateague is a State and National Park with no restaurants or boardwalk, the park system provides bathrooms and showers.

Are there sharks in Assateague Island?

Sharks, and sandbar sharks in particular, which Moore says are the most common off Assateague, can be crushed by their own weight when out of the water.

How close can you get to the horses at Assateague Island?

40 feet
Assateague horses are WILD; they don’t behave like domestic horses. Stay at least 40 feet away from them.

Do they sell ponies from Assateague Island?

The Chincoteauge Wild Pony Auction is usually held on the last Thursday of July, the day after the pony swim. This is the day when some of Assateague’s wild ponies are auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Co. During the auction, yearlings and younger ponies will be sold.

How many ponies are on Assateague?

Assateague Island National Seashore has a combined total of over 300 wild ponies in Maryland and Virginia. Some people believe the horses arrived on Assateague’s shores when a Spanish galleon ship (with a cargo of horses) sank offshore.

Why are the horses made to swim from Assateague to Chincoteague?

Q: Why do the ponies swim? A: The purpose of the swim is to move the herd to Chincoteague Island so that the foals can be auctioned. The auction serves two purposes. First the auction helps to control the size of the herd.

How late can you stay on Assateague Island?

In Virgina, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is open November through March; 6 a.m. to 6 p.m, April and October; 6 a.m. to 8 p.m, and May until September; 5 a.m to 10 p.m. All visitors and cars must be off the refuge by closing, unless you have been issued an overnight fishing pass.

What do they do with the horses at Assateague Island?

” On the last Wednesday of July, the Virginia herd of horses is rounded up and swum from Assateague Island to nearby Chincoteague Island. On the following day most of the young foals are auctioned off. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.