Wild Ponies, Beaches and Lighthouse - Chinoteague & Assateague Islands

Chincoteague Island is quaint seaside village. It is a short drive to Virginia’s Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, on Assateague Island, where you can see the world-famous Chincoteague Ponies. One legend says that the ponies swam ashore from a Spanish shipwreck that ran aground back in the 1700’s. Others say that farmers used the island as a natural corral for their animals. The herds here are owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and are free to graze as part of a special permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services. For almost a century, at the end of every July, the Fire Company conducts the “Pony Swim”. “Saltwater Cowboys” round up a herd of about 200 ponies and swim the channel. After the swim the ponies are rested and then paraded through town to the parade ground to be auctioned off. The money from the auction is to raise money for fire equipment. This money raising world-renowned event was started back in the 1920’s when two fires burned out of control on opposites sides of the Island due to the lack of fire fighting equipment. Aside from the ponies, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge also contains diverse wildlife and waterfowl, Assateague Lighthouse and beautiful beaches. There are miles of nature trails to explore on foot or bike and waterways to explore by kayak. Virginia shares north portion of Assateague Island with Maryland.

This is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy

The Assateague Lighthouse is located within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The lighthouse was first lit in 1867.

Walking a trail in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge was established in 1943 and includes more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh and maritime forest.

A small dock house off of Chincoteague

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The Wild Ponies of Chincoteague

Starring Sabrina Dobbins

Chincoteague and Assateague Islands (Images of America)

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The Traveler's Guide to Chincoteague and Assateague: A Shortcut to the Magic

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Looking up at the Assateague Lighthouse

A nice dedication stone to those lost at sea, near the lighthouse

Roadside color

Looking out onto Chincoteague Channel

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Pristine beaches

Giant Adirondack LOVE in a park off of Main Street

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The statue of the famous Misty of Chincoteague

A few of the Chincoteage ponies I spotted. I visited in February and not many of the ponies were spotted during my visit.

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This is the Captain Timothy Hill House, built in 1800, and moved to its present location when it was faced with demolition. It is the oldest house on Chincoteague Island and is a rare example of early plank construction. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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What you should know:

• There are walking trails in the National Wildlife Refuge and on the beach.

• There are public restrooms located in the Refuge.

• Daily and weekly car passes to the Refuge can be purchased, pedestrians and bicyclists are free.

• There are Pony Tours, Historic Walking tours and Nature Cruises.

• There is a Pony Express trolly service which operates seasonally and follows a fixed route stops covering most of the Island.

• There a few restaurant options.

• On the street parking and parking lot options are available.

• Parking in-season may be difficult.

• You could spend a couple of hours to an entire day exploring depending on your level of interest.

• Don’t be disappointed if you do not have a pony sighting, some people have reported not seeing one during their visit to the area.

For more information: Chincoteague