Assateague Island National Seashore Osv Permits
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island National Seashore is a 37-mile (60 km) long barrier island on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia. Famed for its wild horses, this barrier island is a constantly shifting ribbon of sand, altered daily by powerful wind and waves. Assateague Island, dedicated as a National Seashore on September 1, 1965, lays claim to a long and rich history. Today's visitors can explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays. Only a couple of miles wide at its broadest point, the island's terrain offers shelter to the famed wild horses as well as sika deer, ghost crabs, and migrating birds such as the great blue heron and snowy egret. Favorite recreational activities include fishing, surfing, beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing.
The Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) zone at Assateague Island contains miles of unspoiled beaches managed by the National Park Service to accommodate OSV enthusiasts and other beach goers.
Vehicles using the OSV zone must display a permanently affixed OSV permit sticker valid for the area and time of use. The OSV permit document must be in the vehicle.
Notifications and Alerts
Toms Cove Visitor Center in Virginia is now on winter hours. OSV permit pick-up will be limited to Friday - Monday during the hours of 9-4 only. Permits can also be picked up from the Assateague Island Ranger Station in Maryland, which is open daily, 9-5. OSV permits must be picked up within 10 days of purchase.
Permit & Season Information
Permit is valid as of the date of purchase and pickup must be made within 10 days of purchase.
An OSV Permit allows 24-hr access to the Maryland OSV zone. Permittee must be actively fishing from midnight to 5 am. Allows access during Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge hours to the Virginia OSV zone
A Bullpen Permit allows overnight camping (Maryland only) for self-contained/hard-sided vehicles with approved toilet and permanently installed waste-water storage tanks capable of holding two (2) days' volume of waste
Both types of permits are good for a full year from the month of purchase
The OSV zone remains open year-round, although sections may close due to weather, over-wash, or resource management
By completing the permit application, the permittee accepts the responsibility to know and follow all OSV regulations. Safety equipment is required (see Need to Know). Failure to comply with the terms of the permit may result in revocation of a valid OSV permit and/or federal prosecution
Need to Know
- The permit is valid from the date of purchase and pickup must be made within 10 days of purchase.
- The registered vehicle owner must pick up the permit from either the Ranger Station in Maryland, or Toms Cove Visitor's Center in Virginia by presenting the confirmation email, the vehicle registration, and the owner's valid driver's license. If the vehicle is in a company name, permittee must be able to prove ownership of company.
- Vehicles must display a valid, permanently affixed OSV permit sticker. Affix the sticker on the inside of the windshield in either lower corner. The OSV permit document must be in the vehicle.
- An Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) is a motor vehicle used off park roads to drive over sand (on the beach). OSV's are typically high clearance, 4-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles. OSV's do not include All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) or Multipurpose Off-highway Utility Vehicles (MOHUVs).
- Rental cars are not permitted in the OSV zone.
- An entrance pass is required in addition to the OSV permit. Entrance passes are available at the entrance gate.
- Each vehicle must have its own permit.
- OSV's must comply with the vehicle and equipment requirements stated below. The OSV must:
- Be registered, licensed, and insured for highway use.
- Have no more than 2 axles and a minimum tire tread width of 8 inches in contact with the ground for two-wheel drive vehicles
- Have a minimum ground clearance of 7 inches
- Gross vehicle weight rating may not exceed 10,000 pounds/maximum length - 26 ft/ maximum width - 8 ft
- ATVs, UTVs, ROVs and MOHUVs are prohibited
- OSV routes are closed to the use of tow-behind travel trailer campers
- Permittee must possess a valid state driver's license and be 18 years or older.
- The following safety equipment is required and must be available for display upon request. Failure to have the required equipment can result in a fine:
- Shovel (non-plastic) with minimum 6" square blade and 18" handle
- Jack - sufficient to lift one wheel clear of the sand
- Jack Support - minimum of 12” x 12” non-bending steel, 5/8” plywood, or 1.5” thick board
- Tire Gauge - must record pressure of 15 lbs. or less
- Tow Rope, Strap, Chain or Cable - minimum 6000 lb. pulling strength, 10 ft. length
- Air stations are located at the entrance to the OSV Zone. The park recommends lowering tire pressure to 15 - 20 psi. The softer the sand, the lower the pressure needed. Reinflate tires as you exit the OSV zone.
- If a vehicle becomes stuck, you must contact a commercial towing company. NPS personnel are not allowed to pull or tow stuck vehicles.
- OSV permits and stickers ARE NOT transferable from one person to another or one vehicle to another.
- Access to the OSV zone in Maryland is limited to 145 vehicles. In Virginia it is limited to 48 vehicles (18 when Toms Cove hook area is closed). An automated gate manages access limits in Maryland, with a one-off/one-on restriction once an area reaches density limits.
- The park may reduce or curtail the OSV zone due to vehicle density limits, over-wash, emergency conditions or other constraints.
- Vehicles must have a current, valid OSV permit sticker to access the OSV zone. Remove the sticker before you sell a vehicle. You may obtain a replacement sticker of the same type and expiration by presenting the original permit sticker or enough to read the complete permit number and expiration date. If the sticker is destroyed in an accident, the Permittee must provide a copy of the official police accident report to obtain a replacement sticker at no cost. The replacement sticker will expire on the same date as the original.
Park personnel may inspect vehicles to ensure compliance with the OSV permit.
For more information visit the park's website or Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) Use page or call the Assateague Island Ranger Station in MD - (410) 641-3030 OR Toms Cove Visitor Center at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in VA - (757) -336-6577.
Fee Policy
Permit Fee
OSV Annual Permit : $110.00
Bullpen Annual Permit: $200.00
Pemits are valid as of the date of purchase and must be picked up within 10 days.
Recreation Fee
An entrance pass is required to enter Assateague Island National Seashore (MD) and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (VA). Entrance passes are available at the entrance gate.
Cancellation Policy
No modifications to permit details are allowed after online purchase. Cancellation may be made prior to pick-up by contacting the Ranger Station at (410) 641-3030. There will be a $6 processing fee - no exceptions.
