Assateague National Seashore: Park Loop
Watch wild ponies trot by the seashore on this 11.1-mile loop along a unique barrier island. Bring a bucket and hunt for clams on the isle's massive, undeveloped beaches.
Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Sign up for Outside+ today.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 18.0
Waypoints
AST002
Location: 38.2388305664062, -75.1394729614258
Continue straight; pass entrance booth
AST003
Location: 38.2378997802734, -75.1380233764648
Follow paved road to wooden footpath and cross small sand hills
AST004
Location: 38.2374114990234, -75.1359634399414
Turn R to follow Atlantic shoreline; smell the sea breeze, take an icy ocean dip
AST005
Location: 38.2034683227539, -75.1513366699219
Turn R to cross wooden path over sandy hills; see wild ponies grazing or galloping along shore
AST006
Location: 38.1976509094238, -75.1560592651367
Pass roadside freshwater spigot, only spot to refill
AST008
Location: 38.1917114257812, -75.1590194702148
Turn W onto Life of the Dunes Trail, rugged loop through spiky shrubs
AST009
Location: 38.1974601745606, -75.1572799682617
Go L to wooden Life of the Forest Path, passing tranquil ponds
AST010
Location: 38.1985282897949, -75.1606903076172
Observation deck: views of Chincoteague Bay; see egrets, dunlins, American wigeons, or black-crowned night herons
AST011
Location: 38.1986885070801, -75.1573104858398
Follow trail E; turn L on road
AST012
Location: 38.2003784179688, -75.1627578735352
Pass western point of North Beach, a large, grassy marsh great for clamming
AST013
Location: 38.2055397033691, -75.1538314819336
Turn L on Life of the Marsh Loop; return and go L to head NE on beach; retrace steps to parking lot
AST001
Location: 38.2476196289062, -75.1524276733398
From parking lot, turn R and head E on bridge over Sinepuxent Bay
AST007
Location: 38.1918830871582, -75.15771484375
Turn R onto unmarked trail
