MD, Assateague State Park

Poppy & Nana · 06-15-2010, 11:57 AM

I made reservations last fall for our trip this August....lo and behold I now see that alcohol is NOT allowed at the Park or any MD state park for that matter.....how strict are those rules? Does anyone know??? We are not "drunks" but do like to sit around a campfire with a beer at night.....

MACK C-85 · 06-15-2010, 12:10 PM

MD Park Rangers can be total )@$)$)$ at times, but usually they've had a bad day with those who abuse. Will they say something if you're obvious about it, definitely! Are they going to search you out probably not. Bring some good can/bottle snuggies, keep 'em covered, and at your site (i.e. don't walk around with them) and you'll probably be OK.

They do have a lot of issues with the younger set at Assateague (you're only 10 miles from Ocean City, MD which is currently inundated with 'June Bugs' i.e. High School Grads) so they may be a little stricter there.

Also, Our heavy snows this winter have exploded our tick population, bring plenty of bug spray. We were at a local county park for two hours on Saturday and I found four deer ticks and two dog ticks on me that evening, even after I had checked myself right after leaving the park.

Mack

P.S. Those FD/EMS tees don't hurt, either!!!

Makers Mark · 06-15-2010, 02:49 PM

Kathy,
JL and I were at Assateague a year ago April. Not many campers and had no issues at all. I agree with Mack, they need the rule to control the few that abuse. Now you know I do not touch the stuff

, but a tall coffee mug filled with an adult beverage and proper behavior should not draw any attention. We have discussed going back, but will return next time with a small (cheap) portable screen enclosure to make sitting outside enjoyable without giving blood without volunteering to give it!
Enjoy the ponies!
Jay

MACK C-85 · 06-15-2010, 03:14 PM

Ah, yes....the Green Headed Red Cross!!

Those horse flies get down right mean if the wind is right!

One thing to remember about your screen enclosure....the wind can get brisk quick on a barrier island and sand does not offer much in the way of anchoring!!

Even though I was an early teen at the time, I can still remember my father commenting about "somebody's" poor screen room blowing by as we sat in our pop up during an afternoon thunderstorm (quite common in July and August), and the mad scramble that ensued when my mom commented that the table cloth inside it was "just like ours"

Mack

Honda03842 · 06-15-2010, 03:46 PM

Assateague is one of our favorites, though we stay at the National Park and not the saate park next door. First of all camping's $6 for seniors, second, it's bigger and less crowded.

We've never experienced bugs because we camp there in April or early May and October. We recommended it to a friend and they went during the summer and the bugs were horrid.

awellis3 · 06-16-2010, 06:05 AM

Beaches in the summer are for day tripping.
Beaches in the early spring and late autumn are for camping.
Beaches in the lower South are for winter camping.

IMHO,
AW

Poppy & Nana · 06-17-2010, 12:46 PM

Well we cancelled our reservation for Assateague State Park.....made reservations at Fort Whaley Campground....we'll day trip over to Assateague to see the ponies and go to Ocean City so the grandson can play in the ocean waves....., there is a shuttle bus going to Fort Wilderness so oldest grandson can take off to the water park....hope we did the right thing!

Diane · 06-17-2010, 01:05 PM

We've stayed at Fort Whaley and it is very nice. It's about 15 minutes east of Salisbury just off Route 50. The restrooms were very clean and the grounds were well maintained.

MACK C-85 · 06-17-2010, 01:18 PM

Personally, I think you made a good move. Everything in sand gets old quick. Anyhow....

We have never stayed at Fort Whaley mainly because we've always been fortunate enough to get into thier sister park, Frontiertown (Fort Wilderness?). We have checked it out and it is a nice park. It's easy enough to get to Ocean City and Assateague from there usually in less than 15 mins. The water park at Frontiertown is nice, as are the western shows and rodeos they have there.

You won't have the ponies crawling into your rig to escape the heat (another memory of our one experience camping at Assateague), and you shouldn't have as bad of bug issue. Although, it is the Eastern Shore and we do claim the mosquito as our state bird!!

You might want to check out the Station 7 Restaraunt in Pittsville, MD (aprox. 7 miles west of Fort Whaley). It's the old Pittsville Fire Hall.

www.station7restaurant.com

Diane's mention of Salisbury reminded me that the Delmarva Shorebirds (Class A Affiliate of the Balt. Orioles) play there, don't know if they will be home when your here, but here's the info:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t548

Enjoy your trip!!

Mack

Poppy & Nana · 06-17-2010, 02:03 PM

Diane, Mack....THANK YOU I was so afraid that I made a mistake with switching campground but it sounds like I did the right thing!

We'll let you know how everything turns out come August.....now for another question - can you go crabbing from Ocean City anywhere???? Is there a pier or some boat rental company?

MACK C-85 · 06-17-2010, 02:48 PM

Read this article, it's pretty thorough on methods, locations, etc. It's a little dated, so make sure you check the current regs at one of the many local tackle shops:

Crabbing 101....How to, where to...

Mack

P.S. If you decide you're going to come to the area next year, try to book the Frontiertown Campground, it's right on the Bay and has piers and bulkheads to fish and crab from right in the campground. The down side is it's extemely popular booking up to 18 months out for July-Aug.

Diane · 06-17-2010, 03:13 PM

Take a look at this one also www.islandresort.org We stayed there last October and it's also very pretty and not far from Ocean City. Again very well maintained grounds. The owner is very nice and the lake is beautiful. There are back in sites around the lake. I think most have full hook ups but don't remember.

luvrque · 06-18-2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppy & Nana

Diane, Mack....THANK YOU I was so afraid that I made a mistake with switching campground but it sounds like I did the right thing!

We'll let you know how everything turns out come August.....now for another question - can you go crabbing from Ocean City anywhere???? Is there a pier or some boat rental company?

Kathy & Leo,

If you like crabcakes & cream of crab soup try :

Crab Alley Restaurant
Ocean City, MD 9703 Golf Course Rd.

This is the best Restaurant for Lump meat Blue Crab Crabcakes that I ever found, and I have tried many. (App. 99% Crab meat).
They also have by far the Best Cream of Crab soup I have ever tasted !
We were just there in April and again in May.

Poppy & Nana · 06-19-2010, 06:46 AM

Thanks everyone for all the info.....I called Fort Wilderness first and they only had one spot left...so my next step was Fort Whaley..HOWEVER..it was suggested that I keep trying back at Wilderness....he said you have 30 days to cancel reservations and that is when most cancellation occur.....so I'll be checking back with them on occassion.......

RGar · 01-30-2011, 10:24 AM

Another thing about screen rooms is I have seen a horse walk right thru one.It probaby had food in it.The horses will do anyhting to get food including flip over coolers and open bags of chips by stepping on them.We prefer the NP Bayside campground,loop C.No hookups but most sites have grass and some have shade.Dump station and water filler close by.Plus you can wade in the bay.

Mrsrogers · 02-23-2011, 03:16 PM

How did this vacation go? We've been looking at going to Ocean City Area for a quick April Getaway. We usually go to the Carolina's but gas is going to be too many $$ this year for that trip.

I am curious as to what you discovered!

MACK C-85 · 02-23-2011, 03:44 PM

The DELMARVA coast, (starting in the north, going south) Lewes, Rehobeth Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, in DE; Ocean City, Assateague Island, in MD; and Chincoteague Island, in VA is a great place to visit, especially in April before the bugs come out!! I would be tempted to try the Assateague Island state park or the National Seashore (In April OK, definitely not June- Aug) campgrounds. Also, Fort Whaley or Frontiertown for private campgrounds. Lots to do and see, and no big crowds (Memorial Day to Labor Day is the traditional busy time).

We live about two hours away, and go several times a year. Also, for about twenty years had a seasonal in Fenwick Island, DE. Treasure Beach Campground: mostly seasonals, but I think they still have daily rentals, however they don't open until May 1st.

Mack

Poppy & Nana · 02-23-2011, 07:43 PM

Our vacation last summer was wonderful.....we stayed at Fort Whaley and drove down to OC when we wanted to go to the beach. One thing we did find out was the National Park allows alcohol (not that we are big drinker, just social drinkers).

I would go back and stay at the National Park.....however as a side note they do not have full hookups....not that that would bother us...we doe mainly dry camping.

We went fishing, crabbing, clamming and many other side trips.....loved that Fort Whaley had so many things going on for the little (7 y/o) grandson!