Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Wild ponies, migratory birds, some of the best crab and clam hunting around—all of this can be found at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. This 14,000-acre coastal refuge was originally established in 1943 to protect lands for migrating snow geese. These earlier conservation efforts have allowed the area to thrive, attracting dozens of new bird species as well as larger mammals such as sika and whitetail deer.
Today, the refuge is an excellent place to visit in your rental RV to take in plentiful coastal beauty and abundant wildlife sightings. Visitors also have unique opportunities to engage with the diverse wildlife including clamming and crabbing, fishing, and hunting. If you enjoy nature, you’re sure to find something to love about the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
For avian enthusiasts, Chincoteague is a perfect fit. With its location along the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds, visitors can get great views of varying species throughout the year. Snow geese are a favorite during the fall and winter as the population swells to the thousands. The refuge has even created a checklist of 277 bird species for you to keep an eye out for during your visit. You can also rent binoculars for free from the visitor center to make your bird-watching experience even better.
Beyond birds, you should also look for the once-endangered Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel. The creation of the refuge has helped its numbers rise significantly and these squirrels have since been delisted. Another unique resident is the Chincoteague Ponies. Thought to have been initially established due to a Spanish shipwreck in the 1700s, the colony of wild ponies enjoy galloping freely around Assateague Island and are quite a sight to see.
No visit to the coast is complete without a beach visit, right? As you stroll along the Atlantic, or if you are out swimming, keep an eye out for unique seashells. Shell collecting for souvenirs is a favorite activity among park visitors and each person is allowed to collect up to a gallon of shells. Make sure to look inside, though, because you may be surprised to see a crab or snail hiding in its home.
There are a couple of good routes to look for seashells at Chincoteague. Wild Beach will cover the most ground as it stretches over 11 miles of the coast. Tom’s Cove Hook is another good option near the dunes. Access to the dunes, themselves, however, is not allowed to protect the ecosystem.
The historic Assateague Lighthouse was originally completed in 1833 and has faithfully served seafarers for nearly 200 years, warning them of hazardous waters. The U.S. Coast Guard currently operates and maintains the renovated lighthouse for navigational purposes. Today, visitors enjoy the onsite art gallery in the summer, and they enjoy scaling the lighthouse for unbeatable coastal views.
You’ll only be allowed to access the lighthouse from spring-fall and the hours and days of operation vary based on the season, so it’s a good idea to call ahead and determine whether you’ll be able to enjoy the lighthouse during your visit. The climb to the top is more than worth the view; you’ll also be pleased to know that your visit to the lighthouse is free!
If you really want to see all of the wildlife in the Chincoteague Refuge, it’s best to keep moving. There are seven different trails throughout the refuge that can get you up close views of many of the area's wild residents. Perhaps the most all-inclusive is the three-mile Wildlife Loop, where wading birds are plentiful in the summer, and deer, sika, and waterfowl are plentiful in the fall and winter.
If you like to travel on two wheels instead, your options are solid, but a little more limited. Bikes are only permitted on the Wildlife Loop, Swan Cove, Black Duck, and Woodland Trails as well as the service road. The service road, although it sounds boring, is actually the longest path in the park at seven and a half miles and offers the potential to see some of the famous Chincoteague Ponies.
Looking for an engaging activity with tasty results? If so, you have to give clamming a shot at Chincoteague. If you’ve never tried it, clamming is quite easy and only requires your hands (or a small shovel if you prefer) and a bucket. It’s also a great activity to enjoy with the kids.
As you walk along the beach, particularly at low tide, look for the little “keyholes” in the sand that signal a clam below the surface and get to digging. You may find one of three different clam species observed at the refuge: quahog, soft-shell, or razor. Visitors are encouraged to do all of their clamming in Tom’s Cove and are permitted to take up to 250 clams a day, which is more than enough to prepare a unique meal back at your RV campsite.
At just a mile outside of the refuge’s border, the Chincoteague Island KOA is an extraordinarily close place to set up your RV camp. As is the case with most KOA campgrounds, this one is loaded with great amenities including a waterpark, activity center, outdoor pool, kayak rentals, and more. Your campsite is also good to go with full hookup access and 50-amp electrical.
The Pine Grove Campground and Waterfowl Park is also located on Chincoteague Island and is only a five-minute drive from the refuge. The 37-acre campground is family-owned and has a ‘mom-and-pop’ feel to it. You’ll have access to full hookups for your RV as well as bathhouses, a fire ring, and a picnic table on site. Other than the swimming pool, children will also enjoy the campground owners’ friendly animals that wander the park.
Tom’s Cove Park is massive with hundreds of sites available for RV campers. Just 12 minutes from the refuge, the campground is geared toward those with an interest in fishing and has three of its own piers on the water. You can find bait and tackle in the camp’s well-stocked store, along with a modest grocery selection. In addition, the pool, clubhouse, and playground are great for the kids. Full hookup sites are available with up to 50-amp electrical service.
Across the border in Maryland, about 30 miles from the refuge, the Lake Somerset Family Campground is a nice option that appeals to any group. You’ll be able to find roomy full hookup pull-through sites with a fire ring at each site. Campers will enjoy access to a pool table, golf cart rentals, a paddle boat ride on the pond, a petting zoo, a swimming pool, mini golf, and great fishing for largemouth bass and catfish.
If you want to keep your camping on the rustic side, you can head up to Janes Island State Park in Maryland. The campground offers 49 RV-friendly sites with access to electricity. There are also bathhouses with hot showers and flushing toilets for your convenience. Camping in a state park also provides you with access to new hiking trails, historical sites, etc.
Unfortunately, there are no dining facilities at the refuge, itself. There are, however, many places with benches to enjoy a little picnic as you watch the birds, or take your lunch to the beach and listen to the surf. Remember, you can also catch your dinner at the beach!
On Chincoteague Island, you’ll find tons of seafood. Crab, shrimp, clams, oysters, flounder, cod, and grouper are the stars on many menus. If you’re particularly hungry, there are even a few all-you-can-eat spots. If seafood isn’t your thing, you’ll still be able to find American diners (which also offer breakfast), Mexican, steakhouses, BBQ, and pizza. There’s even a craft brewery to enjoy a nightcap for those 21 and over.
No matter where you stay, the coastal beauty of Chincoteague will be a lasting memory for your group. If you’re lucky, maybe even a reminder of your own Chincoteague Refuge-sourced clam dinner.