If you like to camp and like the seashore, Assateague Island State Park in Maryland is the place to go. Do not confuse Assateague Island State Park with the NATIONAL park, the difference is important. The State park has bath houses, with toilets and hot showers, outlets in the bath house for the women with hair dryers, as well as hot water to wash your dishes. The National park has porta johns, and running cold water, that's it. Neither park has electricity to the camp sites. Although last year I noticed they were working on some sites for self contained campers- water, waste hook-ups and electric in between G and I loop. (see the H on map below). The State park sprays for mosquitoes (very important if you like to venture out after sunset). The National park has lots of mosquitoes, but it is environmentally correct. The toll-free number for the State Park reservation office is 1-888-432-2267. You will need to know what loop you want, and what number on that loop you want (see primitive map below). Regular rate is $20/day, max of one week -Sat. to Sat., and an $8 reservation fee. Visa/MC accepted over the phone.

We tented at Assateague for many years, but now have a pop-up camper. Each site has a black top parking area where you can park your trailer and car(s), as well as a sandy area to pitch your tent. Our tent is piched to provide a changing room, and also serves as a "garage" so to speak. Each site is just a short walk to the beach or the bath house.

There are many things to do at the State park. The water is sort of warm when we go. The kids love the water, and have fun in the sand and surf. They are getting better with their boogie boards, and when the surf is right they will stay in for hours (bring waterproof sun block). We camp on the "I" loop where there are tons of kids to meet. We bring bicycles so the kids can travel in "bike packs" with other kids. State law requires kids to wear bike helmets, so bring them with you. A change from the past is that there are no Life Guards on the campsite beaches. If this is a concern, you will have to hop in the car and drive (or walk) down to the State Park day beach- No charge for campers. There they have Life Guards, and a snack/ gift shop. The night ends with all of us on the beach using flashlights to chase ghost crabs around.

There are several ways to go about clamming: From the campsite walk or bike to the bridge, walk out and clam. Very few good spots. Or put a canoe on top of your vehicle to use to go clamming in the sound. Buy a week pass at the National Park $6 and launch from several areas and paddle to the good spots. Or, the State park had a nice boat launch on the mainland side of the bridge (free to campers) so it is quite easy to get to some good clamming spots. I bought two clam rakes that I bring every year, (you can rent them at several places off the Island) so a two hour trip with the family gets me about thirty nice sized clams. There are many places to go crabbing with the kids, and a half day of fun usually gets enough crabs to wet your taste buds (don't forget the old bay seasoning). If you are unsure of where to clam, I suggest taking one of the free canoe trips offered by the State Park staff. They are fun, educational, and the guides will give you some clamming tips.

There are plenty of restaurants that offer all you can eat crabs, and after you get the hang of opening them, you can really get a meal.

Ocean City, Maryland is only 20 minutes away, so if you want to spend some money, see the
boardwalk, buy some trinkets and birthday presents for the parties that your kids get invited to back home, this is the place. We usually go there one evening.

Here are some tips we have learned:

closer is not better when the bath house screen door slams all night.
lots of rain does collect on sand, put your tent on the high ground.
the wild horses will eat anything left in sight, whether you are there or not.
bring plenty of rope, and some 1 foot 2X4's to bury as anchors, it will get windy.
bring something for a makeshift clothesline, do not attach it to your car.
get reservations for a campsite, the first come first served list gets long.
travel during the night (the kids sleep), stay just outside of Dover, but get hotel reservations or
pay $100.

This map is not to scale, I know the numbers are hard to read, but next year, you will keep your map in a safe place (not in the glove compartment, like I did). All the loops are the same size (except for I), I just had a hard time scanning and sizing the picture. The entrance is next to the A loop on the left. There is more space than is shown for the "H" loop which is RV only, I think.

got more tips? My E-Mail is paynene@oneonta.edu

happy camping