Berlin, Md. -Starting on July 15, 2015, Assateague Island National Seashore will increase entrance and camping fees for visitors in order to fund important maintenance and improvement projects within the park. In response to public comments, the increase of the Assateague Island National Seashore Annual Entrance Pass will be not implemented until Jan. 1, 2016.
This chart shows the entrance and camping fees that will be increased on July 15, 2015:
Fee Current New
Per Vehicle $15 $20
Pedestrian or Bicycle free free
Per Person $3 $5
Motorcycle $10 $15
NPS Ranger-Led Kayak Programs $10/person $20/person
Front-country Camping (April 15-Oct 15, reservation period) $25/night $30/night
Front-country Camping (Off Season; first-come, first-served) $20/night $30/night
Back-country Camping $6/person $10/person
Horse Camping $30/night $50/night
Group Camping $40/night $50/night
On Jan. 1, 2016, the Assateague Island National Seashore Annual Entrance pass will increase to $40. The current cost of the Annual pass is $30. This pass allows the holder and all those in the same vehicle unlimited entrance to the park and to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. "This modest increase in fees will allow us to continue to protect, preserve and share the special places here at Assateague Island National Seashore with current visitors and future generations," said Assateague Island National Seashore Superintendent Debbie Darden. "After carefully considering the impact of a fee increase on visitors and community members, we came to the conclusion that this is the right course of action to improve facilities and services important to visitors."
Entrance fees have supported a wide range of projects that improve the park and visitor experiences, including providing lifeguard services in MD and VA, campground improvements, providing shade and weather structures near public beaches, improving ADA access, building a new visitor contact station on the island, and removing invasive plants. Additional revenue from this fee increase will help Assateague Island National Seashore complete projects such as improving and upgrading water lines, improving ADA access to the ocean and bay shorelines and facilities, and constructing more resilient visitor facilities.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
