Camping Advice for beach camping on Assateague Island Beach

[PSUJIM85]

I am looking for advice from anyone who camped on the beach at Assateague Island. Do you need a permit? Is the sand hard pan or do you need special wheels? I have a Lance 855S on a 2015 Duramax Diesel pushing 12,000 pounds GVWR. I have stock tires load range E on the truck. I am also hauling a front mounted generator. Can anyone give me some insight as to best beaches best routes to get there, and any advice for a great three day weekend? Thanks.

[mellow]

Anyone else heading down to the beach this weekend?

[mellow]

I saw 2 or 3 duallys down there this weekend. The OSV was full by 10 am this weekend so if you go arrive at night or early in the morning to get on without having a long wait, or go during the week.

We need a good storm to come up the coast, the tire ruts are getting wicked deep, think I busted up something in my front end going across ruts to get into the bullpen. Be safe!

[skipbee]

Assateague is not to be missed as a TC destination. The NPS has recently approved dually use. The $150 annual fee for overnighting on the beach seems a bit high but if you consider the price of an ocean front hotel room, it ain't to bad.

Check on www.truckcampermagazine.comput Skip Bosley in the search window hit enter to see an article on Assateague that might be helpful. I wrote it before they changed the dually rule.

[Slick_Rick]

mellow wrote:
Anyone heading down to the teague this weekend? OSV has been opened up to VA line!

Glad to hear the birds are outta there! No beach for us til later in August:(
Catch em up!
Rick

[mellow]

Yes, dually's are allowed, I would recommend getting spacers for your tires so they do not rub when you air down.

[towpro]

can I take my 4wd Dually out there with camper loaded? I think I am pushing 12K lbs the way it sits.

[jefe_4x4]

Assateague is on our agenda for our 16-week, Clockwise Around the Lower 48 Boundary State TC Tour. Yes, there is a steep entry fee for a pair of westerners to savor the AIB flavor, but it's worth it if you only have one shot at this. We have camped ON the beach at many venues in the U.S. and Mexico, because we can, and understand the value of deflation: plus a way to get those lo press tires back up without external help.
I was just dreaming of a secret beach on the east side of Baja (south of Bahia Gonzaga) that we visited many moons ago that had access only at low tide and had a primordial feel: a place that was not Baja but another long forgotten mystical realm. We had an inflatable boat and were skin diving around some rocks in the clearest, 88 degree water and whitest sand to get dinner with our little spear guns. After a few days there we waited for low tide to 'escape' the beach and return into what was then the 20th century.
regards, as always, jefe

[mellow]

Anyone heading down to the teague this weekend? OSV has been opened up to VA line!

[mellow]

Yes, green head horseflies are still doing their thing during the day and then the mosquitoes move in at night, just make sure you plan your trip on a day with no West wind since that blows them in from the swamps.

[NCWriter]

Sure sounds lie fun! We used to take our little boat there, anchor in the bay and carry a cooler over to the ocean. Are there still biting horseflies there? Those suckers drew blood.

[mellow]

Can't really add much that hasn't already been said other than:

FYI, Fee's are going up on the 15th. http://www.nps.gov/asis/learn/news/2015-fee-increases.htm

Good site to get some ideas of what it is like: http://www.keepersofthebeach.com/

Have fun! Only one way in and one way out once you get on 611. Guessing you will come RT 13 to RT 50 then through Berlin to 611.

This is me and my buddies rigs down there say Hi if you see us:

[Slick_Rick]

We camp there all the time, we live only about an hour away. It's why we bought the TC! Love AI! On the Maryland side.
OSV pass costs $150/year plus the national park pass to get in the park. This allows you to park and setup camp in the "Bullpen".
It's not hard pack sand, very soft and the tracks are deep. Air down to 25 psi and you'll be fine. When you come off the beach, air is available to get em back to 80. Our rig weighs about 11k and we have no problems. No hookups obviously but there are 2 dump stations to get rid of stuff. We fish and when we get tired of not catching anything we head to the bullpen and fire up the grill, eat dinner, start a fire, drink a couple of adult beverages, visit with our friends, walk the beach, etc. Lots of stuff going on but a very family friendly environment. We bring our lab too but she has to be on a leash, can't run loose. There's usually 12 miles of beach to drive but now there's only 1.5 miles due to the piping plover (endangered bird). The whole beach should be opened up by the end of the month, check the NPS website. And check the website for required equipment; shovel, tow strap, plywood for your jack, air gauge and other stuff.
And bring the fishing rods!
Have fun, it's my favorite place to spend weekends.
Rick

[dahkota]

If you are going to Assateague, you have three choices for camping.
1 - State Park - need reservations and usually full on weekends during the summer
2- National Park - mostly reservations and usually full on weekends during the summer.
3 - Get a seasonal off road permit for a 4X4 and drive out onto the dunes in the allowable area. Technically, you cannot camp but you can overnight fish. May be full on weekends and during fishing season. (permit info here)