Maryland’s Assateague Island is just 2 hours and 50 minutes from Washington D.C. and only a 6-minute drive from Ocean City, Maryland-a popular summertime destination for many of us Washingtonians and DMV folk. The unmatched beauty and awe on this island are well worth a trip, especially if you’re craving a break from city life.
Instead of Washingtonians running to and from meetings in suits, you’ll see wild horses of all different breeds sleeping on the sand, escaping pesky mosquitoes, and maybe even going for a quick dip at the beach. The wild horses are descendants of domestic animals, so they are slightly tamer, but at the end of the day, it is best to ensure a safe distance. Definitely don’t try to ride one of the horses!
The horse population on Assateague Island is about 100. Some folklore tales claim the horses survived a shipwreck off the Virginia coats and continued to thrive and reproduce. There is no evidence of whether or not this story is true.
Other activities on Assateague Island
The horses are the hero of a trip to Assateague Island, but it also offers so much more than wildlife watching in Maryland. You can go camping on Barrier Island and swim at the seashore’s beach! Over Sand Vehicles are allowed with a permit, so you can also relax on the beach and enjoy a nice tailgate as the weather cools.
Kayaking and other boating activities are another fun way to explore the island. For food, there are a few local shops to explore like the Assateague Market which sells fresh juices and deli options and head to Assateague Crab House for seafood!
Find the Assateague Island National Seashore
at 7206 National Seashore Ln, Berlin, MD 21811