Assateague Island contains a State Park, it is Maryland's only Ocean Park. Assateague is a barrier island and is bordered on the east side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west side by the Sinepuxent Bay.

There is swimming, surfing, fishing, clamming, hiking, there are bike trails, and camping areas, feral horses roam the island as do deer, and can be seen by driving through or hiking in the marsh areas, also on the beach.

There are bike trails, hiking trails, campsites on the beach, off road beach recreation which is 12 miles long. The off road beach has a limit of 145 vehicles, in the summer months when this limit is met, the procedure becomes 1 off, 1 on so you must sit in line and wait, my longest waiting time was about an hour, well worth it to enjoy the beauty that awaits you. The beaches are clean and if you want to venture up and down and you arrive early enough, treasures of the sea can be found. Usually after a storm the beach is loaded with shells, horseshoe crabs, and sea grasses.

The ORV area is open all year. The Piping Plover is a resident bird of the island and tends to nest at times on portions of the off road beach, at these times traffic is directed around those nesting areas.

Wild ponies on the island make themselves at home on the beach and can be seen often in small herds. The ponies will sometimes approach you but, beware as friendly as they may seem, kicking and biting can occur, the park warns you not to get close.

The famous pony swim starts in Assateague, and ends in Chincoteague, Virginia. This is always held on the last Wednesday of July.

Assateague became a National Park in 1965, there are over 48,000 acres in Maryland, and Virginia. Ocean City, Maryland is 1/4 mile from Assateague that would be by boat and has lodging, restaurants, activities, shopping, and amusement parks. Berlin and other small quaint towns surround the area, they too have hotels, restaurants, serving the local seafood cooked to perfection, not to mention the Antique shops with their wonderful finds.

To obtain an OR permit you must have a 4 wheel drive vehicle equipped with a low pressure tire gauge, a shovel, jack, a board strong enough to support the jack in the sand, and a tow rope or chain, at least 10 feet in length, also your registration and the fee which can range from $70.00 to $150.00. Air hoses are on site for existing the beach after your adventure, to refill you tires. Campfires are permitted on the beach, as is surf-fishing. The night can be spent on the beach as long as someone is actively fishing all night. The beach is patrolled by the State Park Rangers throughout the day and night.