Finding Wild Horses in Maryland & Virginia
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The Assateague wild horses and Chincoteague wild ponies can be found at the Assateague Island National Seashore. The island is divided by the state line and a fence with the Assateague on the north end and the Chincoteague on the south end.
The Assateague wild horses are managed by the National Park Service and the Chincoteague wild ponies are managed by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company who purchase a grazing permit each year that allows the ponies to graze in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
The Assateague wild horses are managed by the National Park Service and the Chincoteague wild ponies are managed by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company who purchase a grazing permit each year that allows the ponies to graze in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
Assateague Island National Seashore Wild Horses and Ponies
Size: 48,000 acres
Number of wild horses and ponies in the area is approximately 300
Size: 48,000 acres
Number of wild horses and ponies in the area is approximately 300
Assateague Wild Horses
The Assateague National Seashore area is mostly paved and suitable for all vehicles. There is an off-road sand area in the southern end; if you have have experience driving on sand and letting the air out of your tires, you can get a Over Sand Vehicle Permit and tour this area to see additional wild horses. To visit the National Seashore you will also need a National Park Pass or to purchase a day pass. Park passes can be purchased at the Visitor Center which is on the right just before the Verrazano Bridge.
There is also camping available in the area either in tents or your RV/camper. The closest town to stay in is Ocean City, about 10 miles from the entrance to the Seashore. There are plenty of hotels and condos available for overnight stays.
As soon as you cross over the Verrazano Bridge to enter the National Seashore you may begin to see wild horses along the road or out in the marshes. I suggest taking every small available public road and driving through every parking lot to look for horses. At the parking lots, park and look for horses over the dunes near the water. If you see wild horses along the road ways, go slow and give them space. Do not block the road, pull over safely off the road away from the horses if you want to photograph them. Remember to keep your distance and give the wild horses the space they need.
If you get the Over Sand Vehicle Permit to drive the southern beach area, go slow and keep your eyes peeled to your right looking for horses around the dunes. If you plan to do any hiking on the trails in the marshes, I highly suggest high rain boots as the area can be muddy and there are ticks in the grasses.
There are picnic tables available so take a lunch with you to enjoy the day.
There is also camping available in the area either in tents or your RV/camper. The closest town to stay in is Ocean City, about 10 miles from the entrance to the Seashore. There are plenty of hotels and condos available for overnight stays.
As soon as you cross over the Verrazano Bridge to enter the National Seashore you may begin to see wild horses along the road or out in the marshes. I suggest taking every small available public road and driving through every parking lot to look for horses. At the parking lots, park and look for horses over the dunes near the water. If you see wild horses along the road ways, go slow and give them space. Do not block the road, pull over safely off the road away from the horses if you want to photograph them. Remember to keep your distance and give the wild horses the space they need.
If you get the Over Sand Vehicle Permit to drive the southern beach area, go slow and keep your eyes peeled to your right looking for horses around the dunes. If you plan to do any hiking on the trails in the marshes, I highly suggest high rain boots as the area can be muddy and there are ticks in the grasses.
There are picnic tables available so take a lunch with you to enjoy the day.
Chincoteague Wild Ponies
The Chincoteague wild ponies are found on the southern end of the Assateague Island National Seashore within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The nearest town is Chincoteague and there are small hotels and rental houses to stay in for overnight trips. This portion of the Seashore is also paved in most areas and suitable for all vehicles, and you will need a park pass or day pass to enter the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which can be purchased at the gate. In addition to the wild ponies, there is other wildlife to view including many varieties of birds, deer, and other small mammals.
In my opinion it is not as easy to see wild horses here as it is in the northern section but it is a nice area with plenty to see during your visit including the Assateague Lighthouse. Just after you pass the entrance station there is a wildlife loop you can drive but it is only open certain hours and I'm not sure the ponies have access to the area.
About .9 miles in from the entrance station the views from the road open up and you can start looking for ponies to the right on the other side of the fence. There are some hikes and bike trails in the area to help you get around too. This is a small area and the road quickly ends at Assateague Beach. If you are staying overnight in town or camping on the island I suggest driving around at different times of the day to find the ponies.
In my opinion it is not as easy to see wild horses here as it is in the northern section but it is a nice area with plenty to see during your visit including the Assateague Lighthouse. Just after you pass the entrance station there is a wildlife loop you can drive but it is only open certain hours and I'm not sure the ponies have access to the area.
About .9 miles in from the entrance station the views from the road open up and you can start looking for ponies to the right on the other side of the fence. There are some hikes and bike trails in the area to help you get around too. This is a small area and the road quickly ends at Assateague Beach. If you are staying overnight in town or camping on the island I suggest driving around at different times of the day to find the ponies.