Boat or Camper to Assateague National Park?

[rauch0812]

We've reserved a bayfront campsite at Assateague National Park for Memorial Day weekend... can't decide if we should take the boat or the camper (unfortunately we can only tow one). We've never been boating on the bay down there but I've heard it can be shallow.... and we'll be there 3 nights so the bed would be nice... hmmm, what to do what to do? Anybody have boating in Assateague?

Thanks for your thoughts!
Desera

(new-to-us) '98 Larson 206 Lxi BR

 

[Billdc]

Re: Boat or Camper to Assateague National Park?

I have only been there once so hopefully somebody with more experience will help you out. I usually boat around HDG/Northeast MD (one year boating). But last Labor day we were in Chincoteaque VA and decided to ru up to OC for lunch one day. It was crowded and very nerve racking due to all the shallows. I have heard that north of the inlet it gets very shallow, but I have also seen quite a few boats running around the bay everytime I cross the 90 bridge. I guess it depends on what you want to do, it looked like alot of fishing, too crowded by the inlet for tubing/sking. Hopefully a local will have better info. Please report back after your trip because I love OC and try to get down there a couple of times a year and after one trip there I don't feel comfortable going back with the boat.

 

[rauch0812]

Re: Boat or Camper to Assateague National Park?

We're even newer boaters - boat our first boat in April and we've taken it out twice. We already ran into trouble with shallow water on the Sassafrass so it sounds like Assateague isn't the place for us to be boating (at least not yet). We love assateague also, we go every year atleast twice. As you stated, we see other boats as we cross over the bridge and thought maybe we should try taking the boat this year - but you said the key words - nerve racking. I already find the upper chesapeake nerve racking just because we're new at this, sounds like the camper will win out.

I appreciate you response!
Desera

 

[jp10]

Re: Boat or Camper to Assateague National Park?

Take the camper if you want the family to ever camp again. Mosquitoes in that area are vicious. Also the bay is very shallow. You could always a rent pontoon for the day and they will give you local knowledge of where to go and not go.

 

[Edko]

Re: Boat or Camper to Assateague National Park?

Take the camper if you want the family to ever camp again. Mosquitoes in that area are vicious. Also the bay is very shallow. You could always a rent pontoon for the day and they will give you local knowledge of where to go and not go.

Those skeeters are no joke. Also the flies bite hard. This is usually only a problem at night, but take whatever repellent you favor. Use it!

As to boating, yes it is quite shallow in alot of the bays. Add to that a ton of jet skis. If you boat in those bays, please make sure you have and have studied the charts in detail. Not that I assume otherwise, of course, but it bears stating. I would personally look at a rental over your personal boat and take the camper.

Assateague is beautiful, enjoy yourself!

Oh and PS. Don't feed or touch the ponies. They are used to people for sure, but will bite/kick, especially the mothers.