For beaches near Ocean City, you can choose between Ocean City’s free public beach and Assateague Island National Seashore, eight miles south of Ocean City at its Maryland entrance. Assateague is a separate national seashore with its own access and fees, while Ocean City’s beach has town rules and seasonal lifeguard coverage.
- Ocean City Beach: Free access; beach and ocean hours are 5 a.m. to midnight.
- Assateague: The Maryland district is open year-round, 24 hours a day.
- Assateague vehicle fees: A 7-day private-vehicle pass costs $25; other pass options are available.
- Busy periods: Assateague parking can fill quickly on summer weekends.
Ocean City and Assateague beaches compared
Ocean City Beach is a free public beach with town rules, while Assateague Island National Seashore is a separate park reached through its Maryland district entrance.
At Ocean City, beach and ocean access runs from 5 a.m. to midnight. Ocean City Beach Patrol guards the beaches daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the third Sunday after Labor Day. For access details and local rules, see this Ocean City Beach guide.
Assateague’s Maryland district is open around the clock throughout the year, but entry passes apply to most visitors. The island has separate Maryland and Virginia districts, and there is no vehicle access between their entrances on the island. To drive from one district entrance to the other, you must return to the mainland.
What to expect at Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island National Seashore spans Maryland and Virginia, with separate entrances for its two districts.
The Maryland district’s north entrance sits at the end of Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City, Maryland. The Virginia district’s south entrance is at the end of Route 175, two miles east of Chincoteague, Virginia. These are different access points, so choose the district you intend to visit before setting out.
The Assateague Island Visitor Center is in the Maryland district before the Verrazzano Bridge entrance. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Getting to the beach and park facilities
To reach the Maryland district, follow Route 611 to its end at the north entrance.
Assateague is not a continuation of Ocean City’s public beach access: you enter the national seashore through its district entrance, and a pass may be required. If your plans include the Virginia district, account for the drive back to the mainland between entrances; there is no vehicle route across the island connecting them.
Parking can affect your arrival plan. The National Park Service says lots in both districts fill quickly on summer weekends and advises people arriving between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to expect a wait. For getting around Ocean City before or after the drive, the Ocean City transportation guide covers local options.
Fees, permits and seasonal access
Assateague’s Maryland district has different entrance fees for vehicles, motorcycles and people entering by other means.
- Private vehicle: A 7-day entrance pass costs $25.
- Motorcycle: A 7-day entrance pass costs $20.
- Annual pass: The $45 pass is valid for one year from purchase and accepted in both Assateague districts, including Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
- On foot or by bicycle: No entrance fee applies.
- Other entry methods: Visitors aged 16 or older pay $15 for 7 days. A family traveling together pays no more than the vehicle fee.
Assateague entrance passes can also be used at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, but Assateague State Park passes are not valid at either place. If you use a Federal Migratory Waterfowl Duck Stamp as your Maryland district entrance pass, a $20 beach-parking fee upgrade also applies; that upgrade is valid from July 1 through June 30 annually.
Ocean City beach access is free. Its canopy rules are specific: tents with sides are prohibited, and open-sided canopies must be no larger than 15 feet by 15 feet, stay at least 3 feet from a neighboring canopy and sit behind the lifeguard stand.
Private vehicles are not permitted on the beach, and sleeping there is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Planning the day from Ocean City
For an Assateague day trip, decide which district you plan to visit, then allow for possible parking waits on summer weekends.
If you want the Maryland district, Route 611 leads to its north entrance. The visitor center is before the Verrazzano Bridge entrance, so it can be part of your arrival sequence. Check the official site before you go for current fees, access details and operating information.
If you’d rather stay in Ocean City, its public beach has seasonal lifeguard coverage and town rules on canopies, vehicles and overnight use. You can use the town’s beach and ocean hours to plan your visit, then check the local beach guide for access and rules.
FAQs
Is Assateague Island National Seashore open year-round?
The Maryland district is open year-round, 24 hours a day. The visitor center has separate daily hours and holiday closures.
How much does it cost to enter Assateague?
A 7-day private-vehicle pass costs $25, and a 7-day motorcycle pass costs $20. Entry on foot or by bicycle is free; other entry methods have a separate fee for visitors aged 16 or older.
Are Ocean City beaches free?
Yes. Ocean City’s public beach is free, with beach and ocean hours from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Can you drive between the Maryland and Virginia entrances on Assateague?
No. There is no vehicle access between the two entrances on the island, so drivers must return to the mainland to reach the other district.