Assateague's Day-Use and Beach Areas
What’s in the day-use area?
The day-use area provides access to the beach along a boardwalk from the parking lot to the base of the dune. The area is open from 7am- sunset. A bathhouse is available with toilets, sinks, showers with warm water, and baby changing stations. Swimming is permitted at your own risk. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 10am - 5pm. Look for the section marked by flags to locate the lifeguarded beach area. Always use caution when in or around the ocean and be aware of hazards and dangerous conditions including rip currents. Always watch children closely. Surfing, boogie boards, SUP's, and surf fishing are permitted outside of the lifeguarded beach.
NEW for 2023 Season!
“5 Tides” Restaurant and Retail Shop
- Join us in welcoming Assateague State Park’s new concessionaire, Assateague Outfitters, featuring an all new restaurant and retail shop “5 Tides”
- Hours of operation: Open daily Memorial Day to Labor Day Restaurant: 7am- 3pm Retail Shop & Grab-n-Go Food: 9am- 5pm Limited Offseason Hours
- Check out the delicious
new menu offering cooked to order breakfast and lunch, premium coffee, hand dipped ice cream, smoothies, snacks and more!
- Committed to a more sustainable environment we use compostable materials and limit food and product waste and packaging.
Viewing the Assateague Horses Safely
During your visit to Assateague, you will most likely encounter at least a few of the island's most popular residents. Petting or feeding the wild horses may seem like a harmless and fun thing to do, but the consequences can be terrible. For your safety and the safety of the horses, please obey park regulations and do not approach, touch, or feed the Assateague horses.
Stay at least a "bus length" or 40 feet away, but remember that may still be too close depending on the circumstances. If horses approach you, back off and retreat to a safe distance. Do not take food to the beach unless in a cooler that is zippered or secured with a nylon strap. Even then, if horses approach your food, you must move away.
Assateague horses do bite, kick and can carry rabies. These horses are WILD, and they don't behave like domestic horses. Treat the horses with respect - move back and stay safe.
