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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Reported: May 2017
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore cover 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest - a wonderful, unspoiled area. A major storm in 1962 wiped out all development on Assateague Island, and it was set aside as a national seashore. The island is also home to the Chincoteague Ponies, descendants of horses brought to the island in the 17th century and later made famous by Marguerite Henry's book, Misty of Chincoteague. (Detailed map and photos below.)
Location: Assateague Island, Accomack County (See map)
Distance: 6.3 miles of paved trails, more on park roads
Surface: Paved
Support and Advocacy:
Chincoteague
Natural History Association
Bike Shops/Rentals:
Bike Depot
(rentals)
Jus' Bikes
(rentals)
The refuge reminds us of Florida's
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge ,
with one difference - the wonderful paved trails! We biked on the
Wildlife Loop, Woodlands Trail, and others.
Hiking-only trails are generally unpaved. Biking is not restricted to the
refuge, Chincoteague Island is adding bike trails as well
but we focused on the refuge in Virginia (the northern portion of Assateague
Island is in Maryland). Due to mosquitoes, not recommended in the summer.
Open for biking and walking all day; cars allowed 3 p.m. to dusk
From Wildlife Loop to the beach
Connects Wildlife Loop to Woodland Trail
Through pine forest, to pony overlook
Walking only, to the lighthouse
Access trail over Assateague Bridge,
Chincoteague Island to Wildlife Dr. parking area
There were about 30 ponies milling
around at the pony viewing platform, but accidentally deleted the
photos and can't retrieve! Corral is for a roundup held each year,
horses are auctioned to thin the herd.
More about the
Chincoteague Ponies .
More Biking:
Bike-Virginia - More
bike trails and information about biking in Virginia
Related Resources:
US
Fish and Wildlife Service - Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
US
Fish and Wildlife Service - Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge-Trails
National
Park Service - Assateague National Seashore
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