RV rental Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, MD: Motorhome rentals, camper van rentals and more

The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is found on the southern end of Assateague Island; it covers around 14,000 acres of marshes, maritime forests, dunes, and shoreline. The northern half of the island is committed to Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park, which encompasses nearly 10,000 acres combined. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge maintains several miles of paved paths that are open to pedestrians and bikers and trails for hiking. Naturally, the island beaches are a popular draw for many visitors. Visitors can go crabbing, clamming, or fishing provided that they obtain the appropriate licenses. There are several miles of beaches for beachcombing, shell-hunting, and horseback riding (visitors must bring their own horses). The southern portion of the island is open to vehicles, too. The beaches are wide, flat, and usually hard-packed. Call ahead and check on the conditions though, sometimes after storms with strong winds, the sand turns into what’s called “sugar sand” conditions, and many vehicles struggle to get traction. Vehicle access to the beach is often restricted on those days. Opportunities for wildlife observation and photography are endless. Dolphins frequently frolic in the waves just offshore. The marshes are known habitats of several animals, including a few endangered ones like peregrines, falcons, and snowy owls. Horseshoe crabs, which are endangered, occasionally crawl ashore. Swan Cove is populated by long-legged, spindly herons and egrets. Wild ponies have free roam of the island, and their grazing habits are not predictable. They can usually be found in the marshes but will occasionally venture onto the dunes or beach. Visitors can borrow binoculars from the visitor’s center.