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fisherman in surf at sunset
Assateague State Park
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 Area map/camp loop map
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Assateague State Park is Maryland's only ocean park. It is located on Assateague Island, a barrier island bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by Sinepuxent Bay. Two miles of ocean beaches offer swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing and fishing. The island's bayside offers visitors the chance to explore secluded coves by canoe or kayak. The marsh areas have a variety of wildlife, including deer, waterfowl and feral horses.

Assateague was selected by National Geographic Travel magazine in 1994 as one of the 10 best state parks in the United States.

Features
 Assateage ponies grazing along side of road

Regional Information

Special Events, Youth Programs and More!

Environmental Education Programs

Maryland Park Service and Maryland Conservation Corps are offering field trip opportunities at Assateague State Park beginning spring 2009. We welcome you and your students to discover the unique ecology of a salt marsh and barrier island and the abundance of creatures that inhabit them. Through a series of rotating stations, lasting approximately 30-45 minutes and selected by you in advance from the descriptions, we can set up a program schedule to meet your needs. We can generally accommodate student groups up to 100 and scheduling dates and times are flexible, but are reserved on a first-come first-serve basis. A picnic area is available for bag lunches and accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request.

A service charge for Assateague State Park field trips of $2.00 per student covers costs of materials and supplies and supports Assateague Interpretive Programs. Please call or email for more information or to schedule a field trip program for your school group. (Email is suggested for fastest reservation confirmation.) Contact Angela Baldwin at 410-641-2120 x20 or email at abaldwin@dnr.state.md.us or Sarah Knipe Rodriguez at 410-641-2120 x13 or by email at sknipe@dnr.state.md.us. If you reach voice mail, please leave a message including your name, school name, phone number or email, grade, number of students, program/s requested and potential dates.

Click here for a listing of our 2009 Environmental Education Programs.

Youth Group Camping


The state park has two areas set aside for youth group camping. These areas are open April 24th to October 25th.

group of Sika deer near campgroundReservations are required. You may now make a reservation for a site by calling 1-888-432-CAMP (2267), Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. A $15.00 reservation charge must be paid when the reservation is made. The youth group camping service charge is $2.00 per person per night, unless you possess a valid Maryland Youth Group Pass. This charge is paid upon registration at the Campground Office. There is no additional charge if you have a valid Maryland Youth Group Pass. For more information regarding a Youth Group Pass, call 1-410-260-8186 or you can download an application on-line at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/youthgroup.html.

Each area will accommodate a maximum of 75 persons and the number of adults may not exceed one adult per five youth. Open fires are not permitted. Please keep all persons and tents off the dunes. There is an outside rinse platform located adjacent to the camping area. Restrooms and showers are available in the day-use bathhouse. Wheeled units/vehicles are not permitted on the site or in the sand. Wheeled units are required to obtain their own site.

The youth area beach is not guarded. You may, however, walk about 100 yards south to the public swimming area which is guarded Memorial to Labor Day, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Check-in must be during office hours, since quiet hours begin at 11:00 p.m. Checkout is by 11:00 a.m. on your day of departure.

Should you require any additional information prior to your arrival, please contact the park headquarters office at 410-641-2120. The number for the campground office is 410-641-2918. The latter number is only available from April 27th to October 28th.

Rackliffe Plantation

The Rackliffe Plantation House was constructed in 1752 and is one of the few remaining examples of the early plantation photo of Rackliff Plantation Househouses built by the English merchant planters.

Rackliffe House, once restored, will be a public museum and heritage discovery center to be used exclusively for educational purposes. Under a historic long-term lease negotiated with the Rackliffe House Trust, Inc., the non-profit organization will restore the house to its original 1752 appearance and interpret its history and that of the surrounding coastal bays. A nature trail is proposed over a recently established berm once renovations are complete. For more detailed information, you can visit www.rackliffehouse.com


Maryland Conservation Corps

Assateague State Park is supported by a Maryland Conservation Corps Program. The Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) is an AmeriCorps program that engages young adults, ages 17-25, who want to dedicate a year of service to natural resource conservation. Over a 10 to 11-month period, MCC members work as crews to complete 1,700 hours of service. Conservation service activities include: trail maintenance, environmental education, stream and wetland restoration, park facility improvements, invasive species removal and Bay grass planting. Extensive member training is provided, including: First Responder certification, Wildland Fire Fighting certification, Search and Rescue certification, Park Operations, Environmental Education and Interpretation, Chainsaw Safety, Leave No Trace and Canoe Trip Leading.

No minimum qualifications are required other than transportation to the designated job site and a desire to serve. Low-cost State Housing is available at certain crew sites. Benefits include a living allowance of $7.00/hour, health care benefits, child care assistance (if eligible) and a $4,725 education scholarship award for those members that complete 1,700 hours of service. MCC employs a Zero Tolerance Policy for any member who uses alcohol or illegal drugs while attending an MCC project, training or event.

For more information or to apply, contact the park manager or download an application from the Maryland Department of Natural Resource’s Maryland Conservation Corps website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/mcc/yearround.htm

[Disabled accessible]Assateague State Park is fully accessible to the disabled. Special campsites, beach wheelchair, fishing pier, and food concessions are all designed for easy access.

For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.

Join the Friends of Assateague State Park and support your park.

Assateague State Park is located in Worcester County

Location
The park is in the eastern portion of the state in Worcester County, 8 miles south of Ocean City, and may be reached via MD RT 50 to MD RT 611.

Assateague State Park
7307 Stephen Decatur Highway
Berlin, MD 21811
(410)641-2120
Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations

Click here to make reservations on-line for Assateague State Park.

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Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.

October 27, 2009

Photographs by Roger, Jackie Rippel and Gary Jackson