The southern part of the island is right beside Chincoteague Island which has many more amenities, restaurants, and lodging options. Since they are fenced in, it is harder to see the ponies on the southern part of the island. They are managed by a local group and some are auctioned off every year. The horses on the southern part of the island are actually called “ponies” and are fenced in (in a very large fence). It is managed partially by the National Park Service and also by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The southern part of Assateague Island is part of Virginia and has some major differences from the northern part of the island. I recommend visiting or staying on the northern part of the island if you are look for a more nature-oriented experience. The northern part of the island is much quieter and less touristy in comparison to the southern part of the island. The horses on the northern part of the island are managed by the National Park Service and are completely wild. It is managed by the National Park Service and the Maryland State Park Service. It consists of the Assateague Island National Seashore and the Assateague State Park. The northern part of Assateague Island is part of Maryland. There are several differences between the north and the south of the island. Some people visit just one part of the island or the other. While Assateague Island is one island, it is part of two different states, Maryland and Virginia, and you have to drive on the mainland to cross from the north to the south or vice versa. Be sure to plan your trip itinerary accordingly. I talk about both parts of the island in this post, but some people only visit the north or the south. To access both parts of the island, you will have to drive back to the mainland, drive on the mainland, and take another bridge back onto the island on the other side. Note: there is a northern part of the island and a southern part of the island that are not connected via roads on the island. Also, to get around the island, you will need to have some form of transportation during your visit since things are spread out in the island. There is not a lot of super reliable public transportation that reaches the island. The best way to get to Assateague Island is by driving. You can access the island from both the northern side from Maryland and from the southern side from Virginia. Where is Assateague Island?Īssateague Island is a barrier island located along the coast of Maryland and Virginia in the Atlantic Ocean. There are multiple signs around the park telling visitors to stay “one school bus away” from the horses. The National Park Service recommends staying at least 40 feet away from the horses, which is the length of a typical school bus. Since they are feral, they also can be aggressive and violent. Since they live in a different environment than domesticated horses typically do, the Assateague Island horses are bloated and stocky from living in the marshes and eating salty foods. Regardless of how the horses arrived on the island, the horses on the island today are feral and thriving. The other legend or thought is that the horses were brought to the island by people living on the mainland to try and avoid paying taxes. One legend says that the horses came to the island after a Spanish ship wrecked close to the island. There are two legends as to reasons why horses are on Assateague Island today. The History of Assateague Island (aka why are there wild horses on this random island?) Read further to see how you can visit the island and experience the wild horses of Assateague Island. We were so surprised by all that the island had to offer and treasure the time we spent there. We visited Assateague Island and camped among the wild horses in late May. Assateague Island is an incredible destination along the east coast that has wild horses roaming the island. Have you ever wanted to see wild horses running on a wide sandy beach? If your answer is yes, then this blog post is for you.
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