U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Review

This place is gorgeous and the trails are very well maintained. Make sure you wear good walking shoes there are several beautiful trails. We were able to see several of the ponies.

Gorgeous island, so well preserved. Tons of birds, especially, great white heron, cranes and sandpipers. Of course, you can see the wild ponies. There are nature trail, as well as the beach, and places you can crab and clam. Truly a special place!

Great family vacation spot, lots of things to do and I've been going since I was a baby

I really enjoyed it there. I hope to go back some day for the swim.

If the current gov t shutdown ever let's up.. Go inside here and look for the Wild Ponies up close and personal on THE LOOP

Lots of informational displays and informative staff but horrible hours. Only open til 4pm in prime summer.

Lovely Bird and Horse viewing on island and Museum has lots to check out including activities for children.

Like most US National Parks, this place is great. We were here in the 1990s, and remember the wild ponies having free range of the entire island. You could find them anywhere. Sometimes they would be so close, you could touch them. That has changed. Today, they are kept well away from visitors. You can see them in the distance, but if you want to take a photo, you need a good zoom lens, or take a commercial boat trip. Better for the ponies, I'm sure.

There are several trails to hike. We did the Lighthouse Trail. That was the only one we did. We had insect repellant on, and the mosquitos almost carried us away. If you decide to hike any trails there, wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and consider getting a face net. It's that bad.

They have a beach area. We drove to it, but did not go on it.

All in all, this is a gem, even with the mosquitos. Highly recommended.

Absolutely beautiful. Great Visitors Center to explore too.

A beautiful place to walk trails, climb to the top of a lighthouse, and maybe see wild ponies.

Really beautiful National Park. It's hard to describe it, really.
It's sprawling, for sure. If you're lucky you'll spot the wild ponies. There's an abundance of walking and biking trails, and even a wildlife loop you can drive on.
The beach is at the very end of the park, where you can't drive any further.
Definitely worth a visit. I can't wait to come back.

Need to updated in reasonable accommodation for Deaf and hard of hearing..on the movies in closed room ( auditorium)..and viewing room where you clicked buttons in display areas

Great natural wonders await you here. Experience the salt of the Atlantic in your nostrils as you set your eyes upon the blissful array of wild ponies. Pure joy is awaiting here in Delmarva.

Beautiful oceanside setting, visitor center has many nice displays, wildlife loop that is only open to bikes and foot traffic until 3:00 p.m.

Try the wildlife loop. The slower you drive, the more birds and animals you will see.

My first view of the wild ponies as they grazed in a salt marsh brought tears to my eyes. There is much to do on Chincoteague. Drive over to Assateague see the ponies. Go on a pony search excursion boat tour. Walk with Cindy Faith on a "step through time" tour and hear the history of the island. Walk the trails, watch the sun rise and set over the Atlantic Ocean. Embrace the magic of the lighthouse golden beam. Take in a Three Sheets Concert at the Island Theatre. Find Misty's hoofprints in front of the theatre. and admire Misty's statue nearby. Wander through town, there are many interesting shops and friendly shop keepers. Check out the museum. Dine at some great restaurants. Be sure to get a Sandy Pony Donut! Take lots of mosquito repellant if you're there during summer months.

Lots to see here..birds and wild ponies. Very nice trails to walk, bike, or drive

I went there last weekend and it was peaceful and relaxing

What an incredible day. My wife and I hiked the Woodland Trail. On the trail we took a side trail to Tom's Cove. We encountered 3 ponies sprinting right towards us. My wife and I ducked behind a tree. Then in front of us the big stallion emerges and starts braying. The 3 ponies come sprinting back to the stallion. More ponies join the crowd and for about 5 minutes the ponies start grazing right in front of us, no more than 25 feet away. AWESOME.

I love everything about this place.
take your children there but during the summer time so they can go enjoy the beach after the visit all the famous sights... don't forget the lighthouse....

We stopped here on a recommendation. We were glad we did stop. Why not take your family on a nice nature walk. Who cares about the bugs that had our fresh city bodies for lunch. It was worth it to see the light house and worth the 175 steps to the top of said lighthouse. Once you reached the top and saw the breath taking view you forgot about the fact you cant feel your legs. This is a beautiful park full of wonderful sites and scenery.

Really improved in last few years. Nice visitors center. Great beach.

A fun place to visit, but bring your bug spray if you're visiting the lighthouse! The beaches are clean. The ponies don't have free run of the island, they are kept behind a fence. But there were two escapees the day we were there! Nice wildlife loop and lots of hiking and biking trails.

It was ok. Expected to see horses...beach looked nice. We just took a ride there

Just stunning! A real treasure! Saw dozens of ponies both days....even fairly close in. Saw lots of other wildlife, too. Recommend a boat tour.

$20 pass for a wek, but we'll worth it. Beautiful surroundings, awesome beach.

New experience. Didn't get to see the horses very well. Went to the lighthouse which was awesome

Just go. See the ponies, visit the visitor centers, take bikes for the trails, and bring all your bug spray and sunscreen. Plan some time at the beach as well.

So beautiful went there for almost my whole childhood, the pony's and all the wildlife are great. Clean beach, and lots to do

My favorite place to visit ! So much to see , everydays an adventure.

What happened to all the wildlife? There used to be deer, ponies, eagles and all kinds of wildlife roaming in the Refuge. Now the only thing we see is mosquitoes. You have to go to a different part of the island to see the ponies, and it's been years since we saw any deer.

This is the only place I've been where you can walk/bike trails, see wild ponies on the trails and the beach, walk along a nice beach, and do some great bird watching. Make sure you have some type of bug spray, because the mosquitoes can be a bit of a nuisance.

Well maintained trails & roads, ponies were out with lots of birds today. Amazing how every season has its perks, migratory birds everywhere

Easy biking, hiking trails! Make sure you carry bugs spray!

A really nice national park. Great trails. Very helpful rangers

One of my favorite places! We visit often. Saw the wild ponies and beautiful birds as well as nesting protected piping plovers. Most of all, enjoyed the Assateague beach!

This place is amazing! There is something for the whole family. Wildlife, plants, sealife, beaches, hiking trail, biking, hoarse and tours. If you cannot find something enjoyable to do here there is a problem. We sat in on a talk about the plant life found nati really in the area. Just fantastic.

No place more beautiful. Beach stretches for miles and miles. You can walk forever. Swimming and boogie boarding great. Kids have a blast every year when we stay on Chincoteague.

everyone should see this before it disappears beneath the waves. a great use of your tax dollars. nice beaches, protected wildlife with many sea birds, some rare, changing throughout the year, and the delmarva squirrel. good educational programs

Totally unique area with access to an unspoiled beachfront. Lots of local wildlife, biking/hiking paths, and several informative visitors centers near the refuge. Highly recommended.

A far better option than Ocean City, MD, unless you like crowds and drunk teenagers. If quiet beaches are your thing, go to Chincoteague. You might just see some wildlife, too! And if you want more privacy, just plan to walk North up the beach a ways. You'll barely see anyone.

Not easy to view wild ponies. A lot of people come because of the beach during summer.

Always beautiful, quiet, and perfect for just enjoying a walk on the beach looking for

One of my favorite places. Family friendly. Great beach. Lots of local things to do. A great visit.

Great place for birding, viewing wild ponies from afar, and visiting a beautiful beach.