Assateague Island National Seashore · Worcester County, MD

Life of the Dunes

Interpretive dune loop at Assateague — wild horses, shrub thicket, and cross-island breeze. Short and accessible. No pets allowed (NPS rule on all three Assateague nature trails).

Live · updated Apr 27, 1:32 AM ET

Today

Skip the hiking plan today.

Scored for hiking

33 /100

Skip

Trail: prime

Minor Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued April 27 at 12:30AM EDT until April 29 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

Conditions

Air temp

46°F

Clear

Wind

16 mph

Rain

Last 48h: 0.00″

Trail

prime

mixed surface

Sunset

7:47 PM

1095 min daylight left

Moon

Waxing Gibbous

77% illuminated

Score by activity

Hiking

Ideal 48–75°F

33/100

Skip the hiking plan today.

Score breakdown

· 46°F air — Within comfort range, outside ideal
− 16 mph wind — Gusty — bring a windbreaker
✓ Trail: prime — No meaningful rain in the last 48 hours. Trail surface is dry and tacky — prime traction.
− NWS alert active — Check the alert before heading out

Trail facts

Distance: 0.8 mi round-trip
Elevation gain: 40 ft
Surface: mixed
Difficulty: easy
Typical crowds: moderate
Dogs: No dogs

Trailhead

Parking

Trailhead lot · day-use fee.

Facilities

Bathrooms , drinking water. $25/vehicle 7-day pass; ATB pass accepted. NO DOGS on this trail.

Coordinates

38.2350, -75.1550 — Worcester County, MD.

Park

Part of Assateague Island National Seashore (official site →).

Notes

Do not approach the wild horses. NO DOGS — pets are prohibited on all three Assateague nature trails (NPS rule). Leashed dogs are allowed only on the beach, paved roads, and in the campground.

Park advisories

OSV Status

4/26/26 MD CLOSED due to overwash conditions, VA South OSV partially open. Closure begins at the old Coast Guard Station and extends to the hook. North OSV closed.

Administrative Closure of Areas due to Nesting Shorebird Season

Effective 4/2/26: The closure includes the following areas within the boundary of the National Seashore : * North End * All island interior beach habitat along the northern section of Assateague Island National Seashore (north of Assateague State Park) is closed to all entry between KM 0.5 - KM 9.5. * The island interior beach habitats between KM 21.8 - 22.8 and 23.5 - 24.5 of the MD OSV Zone are closed to all entry. This includes habitat from the existing OSV boundary west to the vegetated shrub line.