Assateague State Park, Coastal state park in Berlin, Maryland, US
Assateague State Park occupies part of a barrier island off Maryland's coast, combining sandy shores, salt marshes, and pine forests along the Atlantic. The park borders the national protected zone and provides access to several miles of undeveloped beachfront.
Before its designation as a protected area in the mid-20th century, indigenous communities used the island as fishing grounds for centuries. The state of Maryland secured the land after plans for large-scale development met public resistance.
The island's free-roaming horses likely descend from animals left behind centuries ago. Visitors often see them grazing between dunes or wading through shallow water at the edge of the marshes.
Beach access follows marked paths, and campsites sit in pine groves near the shore. Permits for certain areas can be obtained at the entrance, and some facilities close outside the main season.
The island moves west each year, driven by waves and currents that shift sand along the coast. This movement reshapes bays and spits, continually altering the shoreline.
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