Assateague State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Assateague State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Feral horses in Assateague State Park
Assateague State Park Location in Maryland
Location	Worcester County, Maryland, United States
Nearest city	Ocean City, Maryland
Area	855 acres (346 ha)
Elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Designation	Maryland state park
Established	1956
Administrator	Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Website	Assateague State Park

Assateague State Park is a super fun place for outdoor activities in Worcester County, Maryland, USA. It's located on the northern part of Assateague Island. This island is a long, narrow strip of land, like a natural wall, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a calm bay called Sinepuxent Bay on the other. The park is surrounded by the Assateague Island National Seashore. You can get there by crossing the Verrazano Bridge. At the park, you can watch amazing wildlife, enjoy the beach, and even go camping! The park is looked after by the Maryland Park Service and helpful volunteers.

History of Assateague State Park

People started talking about making a state park on Assateague Island way back in 1940. They talked about it again in 1952. Finally, the park was officially created in 1956. This happened when the state accepted a gift of 540 acres of land. More land was bought for the park in 1959 and 1962. Money to build things like campgrounds and visitor centers was set aside in 1965.

New Year's Day Beach Walk Tradition

A special tradition started at the park on January 1, 1980. This was a "New Year's Day" walk on the beach. Two women, Ilea Fehrer and Judy Johnson, started it. They wanted to celebrate the island's beauty. They also wanted to show they were against plans to build too much around the island.

This walk became a yearly event. By 2020, it was the 40th walk! It became very popular over time. People would drive from all over Maryland to join in. Sometimes, as many as 300 people would participate. This special walk is now called the "Ilia Fehrer / Judy Johnson Memorial Beach Walk." It's part of a bigger program called "First Day Hikes." These hikes happen in state parks all across the country on New Year's Day.

Wildlife at Assateague

You can see lots of cool animals in the marsh areas of the park. These include deer and many different kinds of waterfowl (birds that live near water). You might also spot the famous wild Assateague horses! These horses roam freely on the island.

Fun Activities and Amenities

There are many things to do and see at Assateague State Park.

Rackliffe House: A Historic Spot

You can visit Rackliffe House. This is a very old building from the 1700s. It used to be part of a coastal farm. It has been fixed up and now it's a museum. It's called the Coastal Maryland Heritage Center. From the house, you can look out over the beautiful Sinepuxent Bay.

Camping at the Park

If you love camping, Assateague State Park is a great place! The park has a large campground. There are 350 different spots where you can set up your tent or park your RV. It's a perfect way to stay close to nature and enjoy the park for a few days.