Exploring Chincoteague Island Virginia – Perfect For Horse Lovers

If you are looking for a perfect weekend getaway, consider Chincoteague Island. A small southern town located on the East Coast peninsula of the US. Relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape and wildlife all around you! Eat the most delicious seafood and shop in the local boutique shops. Learn about the unique history of how the wild ponies first came to the Island and how Missy of Chincoteague changed the island forever.

How to Get There

Chincoteague Island is located in Virginia’s Eastern Shore region. It connects to Assateague Island – a 37-mile-long island facing the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches from Virginia all the way to Ocean City, Maryland.

To get to Chincoteague Island: If you are coming from the north, make your way south on US 13. Turn left on Route 175 to Chincoteague Island. If you are coming from the south, make your way north on US 13, and you will cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Turn right on Route 175 to Chincoteague Island.

To get to Assateague Island National Seashore you simply follow Beach Access Road to the entrance. (Entrance fee for a vehicle is $20 and is good for 7 days. If you are on foot or bike rental it is free entry).

Best Time To Go

Chincoteague is beautiful all year long, there is never a bad time to go. Here are a few tips on visiting to help you plan when to go!

Spring: Spring can be a great time to visit the island, however, it can be quite rainy.  The weather is just starting to warm up and the mosquitoes have not yet made their appearance. This is a great time to explore the island, without the crowds, and perfect for wildlife viewing!

Summer: The busiest time of year (especially in July). July is when Pony Penning Day is celebrated. This is where the wild ponies on Assateague Island are rounded up, swim to Chincoteague Island, and get their yearly checkup. We were told during this week there are thousands of visitors that flock here to experience the magic of Chincoteague Island.

Fall: We visited in early October and basically had the island to ourselves. Most tourists have gone home, and the island is closing for the winter months. The weather is gorgeous, although I recommend a sweater for the windy beaches. But don’t let the cooler weather fool you, be sure to apply some sunscreen for those sunny days!

Winter: Exploring Chincoteague in the winter would be perfect for avoiding tourists. The weather does get chilly (between 30-40 F). But don’t worry there are still plenty of opportunities to see the wild ponies!

Exploring Chincoteague Island

Chincoteague is filled with many antique shops, ice cream parlors, bookshops, and so much more. Here are a few top things to do on Chincoteague Island (plus, where we stayed and the best restaurant to try):

Marina Bay Hotel – Brand new, with perfect waterfront views, spacious rooms, and a fantastic breakfast!

Ropewalk Restaurant – Request to eat outside and you will be transported to an island paradise. Excellent seafood, including crab legs, shrimp, and crab soup!

Waterfront Park – Stop by to climb the massive LOVE chairs and enjoy the stunning views of the bay.

Sandy Pony Donuts – Perfect option for breakfast, take your time deciding which unique flavor to try

Miss Molly’s Inn – A wonderful Victorian-style Bed and Breakfast. It was also a source of inspiration for Marguerite Henry’s famous book Misty of Chincoteague.

Island Theater – Stop by the classic theater to see Misty’s hoof prints, imprinted on the premier night!

Assateague Explorer – Take a sunset cruise and see the island from another point of view. Look out for the wild ponies, eagles, and dolphins!

Exploring Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

A nature lover’s paradise, Assateague Island is one of the most beautiful destinations to explore! Catch sight of many seabirds, eagles, and of course the wild ponies!

Assateague Lighthouse – Climb the lighthouse to get those stunning aerial views of the island!

Assateague Beach – This stunning beach is a perfect spot to spend the morning, Bring a towel or a chair and pass the time watching the waves roll in.

Woodland Trail – Enjoy a walk through the forest of Assateague Island, soak in the beauty of nature, and even spot wild ponies on Pony Overlook.

Wildlife Loop – If you enjoy long walks this trail is for you! Or rent a bike and roam the island freely!

Where to Find the Wild Ponies

We were not lucky enough to see any up close, but on both days we were on Assateague Island, we found them grazing in the distance between the FWS Visitor Center and the Woodland Trail Parking lot.

We had the most wonderful time exploring Chincoteague Island and Assateague Island. It was exciting to see the variety of wildlife throughout the islands. If you are looking for the perfect romantic could getaway Chincoteague must be added to your list!

Camping on Assateague Island National Seashore

If you are looking to stay a few days on the Island; try camping! Beach camping is a unique experience and one that is vastly different than camping in the mountains.

A few things to remember: it can get windy, so be prepared. It can also get sandy. I am still dumping sand out of my shoes. Also, the wild horses are more likely to come to your site if food is around. Keep it out of their reach, as Touching, feeding, or enticing Assateague horses is ILLEGAL.

There are a few options for camping on Assateague Island. The first is the Bayside drive-in, and the second is the Ocean drive-in and walk-in. And lastly, the Group camp and Horse camp. I highly recommend the Ocean drive-in campsites. You will have a fantastic view of the water, right from your tent! And you will not have to drag your equipment to a site. (RV sites are also available).

The campground facilities include toilets, cold water showers, and drinking water. November 16 through March 14, campsites are first-come-first-served and sites are $30 per night. Walk-in sites are closed. To reserve your site, visit this website. I recommend sites 002 through 018; 013, and 015 are my favorites!

Thank you for reading! Until the next destination!

If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!