Dog Friendly Vacations Maryland – Assateague Island is 37 miles of sand, coastal forests, and salt marshes that separate Maryland and Virginia. Most people are drawn to Osatigo by untamed horses. But if you’re looking for a dog-friendly nature beach vacation, Assateague Island is hard to beat!
Assateague Island is an excellent choice for a relaxing East Coast beach vacation with dogs. With miles and miles of beach, great hiking trails, paved bike paths, and areas for canoeing and kayaking, this is a place where you can really enjoy nature!
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Assateague Island is just 150 miles east of Washington, DC, and is divided by the Maryland-Virginia state line. The southern third of Virginia Island is home to Assateague Lighthouse and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. But pets are not allowed on any part of the island of Virginia – even if they stay in your vehicle.
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Luckily, you’ll find plenty of things to do on the island of Maryland! Much of Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park—Maryland’s only oceanfront park—are located there. And, in an interesting twist, the national seashore is actually more pet-friendly than the state park!
There is no road along the island. And traveling from the northern exit near Ocean City, Maryland, to the southern exit in Chincoteague, Virginia, is a 50-mile drive through the mainland countryside. So if you’re traveling with pets, it’s important to plan your stay accordingly.
As we mentioned, pets are not allowed on the entire Virginia side of Assateague Island, not even in your vehicle.
The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland and is divided between the National Seashore and Assateague State Park. Each of the parks sets its own pet policy.
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Pets are welcome year-round in most areas of the Maryland section of the Assateague Island National Seashore, as long as they are on a 6-foot leash at all times. This includes most beaches, in the water at the beaches, most campsites and at boat landings. Pets are not allowed in the following areas of the National Seashore:
Pets on a leash are allowed in the marina and on the mainland Rockcliffe trail all year round. During the camping season (last week of April – November 1), pets are welcome in Campground Loops G, H, and I and on the beaches (and water) along the loops and on the walking/biking trail on the west side of Campground Road.
When the campground is closed (November 1 – third week of April), leashed pets are allowed on all campground chains and adjacent beaches, including in the water.
Leashed pets can also join you in the state park’s day zones after Labor Day, even on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.
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Assateague Island’s North Entrance is accessible from Berlin or Ocean City, Maryland. The Verrazano Bridge crosses from the mainland to the island and takes you to Assateague State Park.
Please note that from the last week of April to November 1st, the state park only allows dogs on the beaches along Routes G, H and I. Allowed on the adjacent beaches from all campsites. You can pick up a map to find the campground loops at the visitor center.
Continuing south, the dog-friendly beach stretches for miles on Assateague Island National Seashore. Pets are welcome on a leash along the entire shoreline, except for the rescue beach directly across from the Bayside Drive-in Campground.
The beach is wide, deep and sparsely populated once you get away from the car park. We saw people fishing, sleeping, cooking and warming up by the campfire after surfing.
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For even more solitude, you can get your driver’s license right on the beach! Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) permits cost $110, are valid for one year, and can be purchased online at www.recreation.gov. You must collect your license within 10 days of purchase and it allows you to drive on the sand after the paved road ends in South Ocean Beach!
While the dog-friendly beach is exciting, Assateague Island is best known for its herd of wild horses. The herd, descended from domesticated horses introduced to the island in the late 17th century, is now wild.
It is absolutely essential that visitors do not feed the horses. This herd has evolved to survive on the common vegetation on the island. If the animals are fed during the tourist season, it is difficult for them to get used to their regular diet once the crowds are gone. And in severe winter it can lead to disaster.
The horses are smaller than I expected, in fact many people call them “ponies”. But they are wild animals and can bite or kick if approached, so don’t underestimate them. It’s best to see them from a distance – especially if you have a dog with you.
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Finding wild ponies is usually pretty easy. There are approximately 150 horses in each of the Maryland and Virginia herds. And they like to hang out in small groups around parking lots and roam the paths and roads. They also enjoy long walks on the beach and check out the picnic baskets along the way. So watch your lunch!
Still worried you might miss them? Stop at the Assateague Island Visitor Center for a “horse report” just before crossing the Verrazano Bridge into the park.
Another fun way to see Assateague and Chincoteague Island is by boat! Choose from dog-guided cruises or kayak tours and experience wild ponies, dolphins, birds and scenery that can only be appreciated from the water.
Dog-friendly tours are available from Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Or rent a pontoon boat for a ride in Ocean City, Maryland.
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Outdoor recreation is one of the most popular ways to stay in Assateague, and both Assateague State Park and Assateague Island National Seashore have riverside campgrounds that allow pets. Reservations are required from March 15 to November 15 and can be made up to six months in advance. But they fill up fast! So if you want to stay within walking distance of the beach, plan ahead.
Also keep in mind that you won’t find restaurants, grocery stores, hotels or shopping on the island. If these amenities appeal to you, there are great pet-friendly options in nearby Berlin and Ocean City, Maryland.
Voted America’s Coolest Small Town in 2014, Berlin Village has a long and interesting history. The present main street of the city was originally a route followed by the Assateague and Pocomoke Indians. It then became the Philadelphia Mail Road, connecting trading centers in the north and west during colonial times.
Today, the city is an architectural showcase, with many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The old commercial buildings on Main Street are now home to art galleries, antique shops, boutiques and some fantastic eateries. We chose a cozy backyard in Blackmaid. The staff couldn’t have been nicer when the boys joined us and the food was delicious!
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We hope our Assateague Island beach visit inspires you! If you’ve been there, tell us about your favorite things to do in the comments below.
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Sorry, we cannot find any pet friendly properties in our database. Please make sure the search is spelled correctly or try entering fewer characters. Ocean City, Maryland is a popular vacation destination for families and couples. Many people don’t know that Ocean City is also a pet-friendly place! There are many activities that you and your four-legged friend can enjoy together.
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From dog beaches and parks to restaurants with outdoor seating, Ocean City has something for everyone. And there are many popular pet-friendly hotels. So if you’re looking for a family vacation spot, check out Ocean City, Maryland. You and your pet will be delighted!
Ocean City, Maryland is a pet-friendly city with many places that welcome four-legged guests. From oceanfront hotels to cozy beach cottages, there is something for every traveler. Many of the best pet-friendly hotels offer special amenities for pets, such as dog parks or walking trails. There are also many restaurants and shops that cater to pet owners, making it easy to find everything you need for a fun and relaxing vacation.
Ocean City, Maryland is a great place to stay with your pets. There are several pet-friendly hotels in Ocean City, including Howard Johnson by Wyndham Ocean City Oceanfront, Comfort Suites Ocean City West Ocean City, La Quinta Inn & Suites Wyndham Ocean City and Ocean City Fontainebleau Resort. These pet-friendly hotels offer all the amenities for both pets
