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Ask my family to name one of our favorite camping spots, and we would have to
include Chincoteague, Virginia. Granted, Chincoteague is not a well known
major tourist draw like Williamsburg or Roanoke. But this outwardly appearing
sleepy, backwater town is steeped in history and legend, and has enough
activities to keep any family busy for a full week-long vacation.
The name “Chincoteague” is popularly accepted to be an Indian name meaning
“beautiful land across the water”. Chincoteague is 37 square mile island about
one mile from the mainland of Virginia. The island is connected to the mainland
by a causeway slightly elevated above a tidal marsh, replete with swooping gulls,
oyster beds, and rocking fishing boats.
Chincoteague boasts the entrance to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on
Assateague Island. The refuge is one of the Nations most visited, receiving over
one million visitors per year. Like most refuges, the wildlife is abundant. The
denizens include Osprey, Bald Eagles, the Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel,
ducks, geese, and more. Nature programs are free at the brand new Visitor's
Center, and Interpretive Rangers lead bird and nature walks.
Across from the visitors center is a small parking area with a trail leading to the
Chincoteague Lighthouse. Built in the 1800's, the lighthouse is located at what
was once the Southernmost tip of Assateague Island. Now one of the few
lighthouses still working in the United States, the lighthouse is about 6 miles from
the southern edge of the island due to the erosion of the beaches to the north.
The Coast Guard opens the lighthouse to the public on most days for a small fee.
You can climb the steps to the top for a gorgeous view of Chincoteague and
Assateague Islands.
The refuge is also home to a herd of wild ponies, rumored to be descendants of
survivors of a 17th Century Spanish shipwreck. Like the Assateague Park herds,
the ponies are supposed to be contained in an area of salt marsh dotted with Lob
Lolly pines, but they frequently escape and can be seen roaming parking lots,
searching for the remnants of picnics. The ponies were the subject of the famous
children's book, Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague.
You can see the ponies and two types of deer (Whitetail and Sika) on your way to
the family beach on the Eastern edge of the island. Get there early during busy
summer days, as parking is limited and fills up quickly.
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of crowded beaches? Carry a pack (with
lots of water and sunscreen) up the relatively deserted beach north of the parking
area. Although the fresh salt air and sandy stretch of beach may give you the
urge to get back to nature and shuck your swimsuit, beware that rangers
frequently patrol the out-of-way areas and nudity is strictly prohibited.
Don't feel like walking to a less crowded beach spot? Then visit the off-road
vehicle area on the southern part of the island. There is a fee for the ORV area,
and be sure to visit the Park Service website for a list of required items you must
have in your vehicle to gain beach access (a ranger will check).
Perhaps one of the best ways to see the refuge is to pedal your way around the
trails by bicycle. Do not worry if you forget to bring your bike; rentals are available
on the main road into the Refuge.
After a day of roaming the beach collecting shells, you can retire at your
waterfront campsite at one of the islands two campgrounds: Maddox Family
Campground and Tom's Cove Campground.
Fishing fanatics will be able to take advantage of boat rentals or fishing trips in
the channel or Atlantic Ocean. Flounder, Rockfish, and offshore Tuna fishing are
abundant. You can also try your hand at clamming by treading or tonging for the
elusive mollusks. The one bill of fare that Chincoteague is famous for is the
oyster. Chincoteague oysters are supposed to be some of the sweetest, perfectly
flavored of all oysters, and are available in most restaurants and many roadside
stands.
From your campsite, you can watch the flash-flash-pause signal of the lighthouse
Before leaving for home, when back on the mainland, take a few minutes to stop
at the NASA visitor’s center, right across from a huge NOAA facility sporting
several large satellites. Local gossip is that there may eventually be a space
shuttle lift-off from the nearby NASA Wallops Island facility.
include Chincoteague, Virginia. Granted, Chincoteague is not a well known
major tourist draw like Williamsburg or Roanoke. But this outwardly appearing
sleepy, backwater town is steeped in history and legend, and has enough
activities to keep any family busy for a full week-long vacation.
The name “Chincoteague” is popularly accepted to be an Indian name meaning
“beautiful land across the water”. Chincoteague is 37 square mile island about
one mile from the mainland of Virginia. The island is connected to the mainland
by a causeway slightly elevated above a tidal marsh, replete with swooping gulls,
oyster beds, and rocking fishing boats.
Chincoteague boasts the entrance to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on
Assateague Island. The refuge is one of the Nations most visited, receiving over
one million visitors per year. Like most refuges, the wildlife is abundant. The
denizens include Osprey, Bald Eagles, the Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel,
ducks, geese, and more. Nature programs are free at the brand new Visitor's
Center, and Interpretive Rangers lead bird and nature walks.
Across from the visitors center is a small parking area with a trail leading to the
Chincoteague Lighthouse. Built in the 1800's, the lighthouse is located at what
was once the Southernmost tip of Assateague Island. Now one of the few
lighthouses still working in the United States, the lighthouse is about 6 miles from
the southern edge of the island due to the erosion of the beaches to the north.
The Coast Guard opens the lighthouse to the public on most days for a small fee.
You can climb the steps to the top for a gorgeous view of Chincoteague and
Assateague Islands.
The refuge is also home to a herd of wild ponies, rumored to be descendants of
survivors of a 17th Century Spanish shipwreck. Like the Assateague Park herds,
the ponies are supposed to be contained in an area of salt marsh dotted with Lob
Lolly pines, but they frequently escape and can be seen roaming parking lots,
searching for the remnants of picnics. The ponies were the subject of the famous
children's book, Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague.
You can see the ponies and two types of deer (Whitetail and Sika) on your way to
the family beach on the Eastern edge of the island. Get there early during busy
summer days, as parking is limited and fills up quickly.
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of crowded beaches? Carry a pack (with
lots of water and sunscreen) up the relatively deserted beach north of the parking
area. Although the fresh salt air and sandy stretch of beach may give you the
urge to get back to nature and shuck your swimsuit, beware that rangers
frequently patrol the out-of-way areas and nudity is strictly prohibited.
Don't feel like walking to a less crowded beach spot? Then visit the off-road
vehicle area on the southern part of the island. There is a fee for the ORV area,
and be sure to visit the Park Service website for a list of required items you must
have in your vehicle to gain beach access (a ranger will check).
Perhaps one of the best ways to see the refuge is to pedal your way around the
trails by bicycle. Do not worry if you forget to bring your bike; rentals are available
on the main road into the Refuge.
After a day of roaming the beach collecting shells, you can retire at your
waterfront campsite at one of the islands two campgrounds: Maddox Family
Campground and Tom's Cove Campground.
Fishing fanatics will be able to take advantage of boat rentals or fishing trips in
the channel or Atlantic Ocean. Flounder, Rockfish, and offshore Tuna fishing are
abundant. You can also try your hand at clamming by treading or tonging for the
elusive mollusks. The one bill of fare that Chincoteague is famous for is the
oyster. Chincoteague oysters are supposed to be some of the sweetest, perfectly
flavored of all oysters, and are available in most restaurants and many roadside
stands.
From your campsite, you can watch the flash-flash-pause signal of the lighthouse
Before leaving for home, when back on the mainland, take a few minutes to stop
at the NASA visitor’s center, right across from a huge NOAA facility sporting
several large satellites. Local gossip is that there may eventually be a space
shuttle lift-off from the nearby NASA Wallops Island facility.
| Virginia RV Campgrounds and Travel Information |
