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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague, VA

Photo: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

8231 Beach Rd · Chincoteague, VA

Why you should go…

This 14,000-acre refuge, established in 1943 to protect migratory birds, covers most of the Virginia end of Assateague Island with beach, dunes, salt marsh and maritime forest. You can hike or bike a 15-mile trail network, watch the Chincoteague ponies graze in the marsh, and visit the red-and-white Assateague Lighthouse. More than 275 bird species use the refuge through the year, and the Wildlife Loop is open to cars as an auto tour.

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  • #wild ponies
  • #beach
  • #birding
  • #lighthouse

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Worcester County

    Free

    Maryland's only oceanfront county, home to Ocean City's boardwalk and Assateague Island.

    16 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Assateague Island National Seashore

    $25–$50

    Watch wild horses graze the marshes and beach on a 37-mile barrier island with camping, beach walks and nature trails.

    22 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Miss Ocean City

    Under $25

    Family owned bay fishing boat offering half day trips and charters out of West Ocean City.

    28 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Family Favorite

    Ocean City Boardwalk

    Free

    Walk the oceanfront boards from the inlet to 27th Street past amusement rides, arcades, fry stands and shops beside the beach.

    29 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Bike World

    Under $25

    Ocean City's boardwalk bike rental shop, renting cycles by the hour, day, or week since 1978.

    29 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Bayside Boat Rentals

    $50+

    Family-run pontoon boat and jet ski rentals on the bay side of Ocean City since 1999.

    32 mi awayMore like this