Assateague Island National Seashore

m_innerst · **Posted:** Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:45 pm

I was at Ocean City, md this past weekend and visited Assateague Island. They have an Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) zone and they require a $70 permit for a year to drive on the sand. i was wondering if this is worth it and if anybody has done it

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:47 am

I think that is mainly for the people that go surf fishing. If you want to get out on the sand and ride along the beach than you may want to join in on an OBX trip.

sstenner · **Posted:** Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:18 pm

Chris is right, it is mainly for surf fishing... and for the past two summers, the OSV areas have been closed almost the whole time because of the @#$% piping plover nests. You also can't drive from the Maryland to Virginia parts of the island. We had a blast on the outer banks this past fall.

Sharon

05kjrenny · **Posted:** Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:49 pm

I have a offroad permit for beach use, we have been there many times fishing last year, the permit run for a full year from date of purchuse. It is fun to drive down the beach all the way to virgina but you will burn alot of gas going 13 miles and back. To us its worth every penny to have your own little beach getaway and private fishinf spot that only a select few with permits can get to. maryland side hardly ever closes, va is always closing section for those stupid birds, you can get into the va side with a md permit also.

ShoreRenegade · **Posted:** Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:56 am

I seem to remember when I looked into getting a permit that they had a lengthy list of stuff you had to have in your vehicle to get in. Like a huge jack, tow rope, etc. Does anyone know what's required and if they actually check for that stuff?

I can't imagine there's much risk of getting stuck just riding down the beach and back.

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:27 pm

ShoreRenegade wrote:

I seem to remember when I looked into getting a permit that they had a lengthy list of stuff you had to have in your vehicle to get in. Like a huge jack, tow rope, etc. Does anyone know what's required and if they actually check for that stuff?

I can't imagine there's much risk of getting stuck just riding down the beach and back.

It may not be the offical list but here is mine:
Bottle Jack/Hi-Lift
2x4's or 2x6's
shovel
4hi
AIR DOWN YOUR TIRES!

I love driving on the beach just because ANY Jeep can do it stock (well except for the Compass!). Make sure you clean out your skids and really wash her off with all the salt that its exposed to.

05kjrenny · **Posted:** Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:10 pm

They require a small shovel, tow rope, 12"x12" board 3/4 thick,tire pressure gauge, and the stock jack will do. they only check if the ranger stops you , if your caught they fine you for each item missing.

m_innerst · **Posted:** Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:06 pm

can you transfer it to another vehicle or is it strictly for 1 vehicle

05kjrenny · **Posted:** Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:56 pm

as long as you have the original sticker they will transfer. if you trade it in or sell it with out getting the sticker off, your doo doo out of luck

but to use it for another vehicle other than the one on file, no because they have all the jeeps info on file, plus your tag number is written on the permit with a sharpie.

ShoreRenegade · **Posted:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:08 pm

05kjrenny wrote:

They require a small shovel, tow rope, 12"x12" board 3/4 thick,tire pressure gauge, and the stock jack will do. they only check if the ranger stops you , if your caught they fine you for each item missing.

Thanks. I may look into getting a permit this year. I guess now I'll just have to learn how to surf fish :lol:

05kjrenny · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:20 am

surf fishing is not that hard, just a matter of rigging everything so it dont get pulled off, you can get a report ot learn alot from http://www.oysterbaytackle.com/
they have some very helpfull people in there store also, we always stop there before we hit the beach, they also sell tire deflators that will make you the envy of the beach when the others are pushing that valve with there keys :wink:

05kjrenny · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:22 am

i forgot to mention that, i think that walmart and homedepot bothh sell everything that is needed for the beach, thats where we bought everything when we got our permit 2 years ago, they have package deals on everything needed

ShoreRenegade · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:19 pm

05kjrenny wrote:

i forgot to mention that, i think that walmart and homedepot bothh sell everything that is needed for the beach, thats where we bought everything when we got our permit 2 years ago, they have package deals on everything needed

I'll have to look for that over at wal-mart. that would be a big help.

Couple questions:
It say's you can stay through the night but you have to be "actively fishing". How serious are they about this? I would think this turns into a big drunkfest around 2am or so. Looks like you can have a fire too.

Speaking of drunkfest, are you allowed to drink beer there or do the Ranger-nazis come around and check?

Are you allowed to swim where you park, or can you ONLY surf fish? Just wondering if I could bring my kids and let them swim after they inevitably get bored with the fishing.

05kjrenny · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:57 pm

im not sure your allowed to drink, it is a national seashore, and you can swim there if you wanted, we have been out there very late into the night and never seen anybody. we have also been fishing at 2am and the ranger stoped to see how we were, its hit or miss with the rangers, if you dont draw attebtion to yourself they will not notice you there.

m_innerst · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:16 pm

are there any other areas to drive on the beach or dunes around that area?

Assateague Island National Seashore

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