Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to Reopen
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge will be partially open to public access starting Tuesday, August 30th.
General public access will be permitted from 7am to 8pm on a temporary basis. Normal hours are expected to resume on Friday.
Entrance to the Refuge will be free for the next few days during the recovery process.
Visitors will have access to the Assateague Lighthouse, Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center, Wildlife Loop, Swans Cove Trail, and the Service Road.
The Herbert H. Bateman Educational Center (Visitor Center) will offer extended operating hours from 8am to 6pm.
The beach parking lots were overwashed during the storm and buried in upwards of 18 inches of sand. Therefore the Beach and beach parking lots are closed to public access for maintenance.
Due to the lack of available parking, visitors are encouraged to bike to Swans Cove Trail to enjoy the beach.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with National Park Service staff to clear as much of the parking area as possible before Friday, September 2nd.
When the Beach reopens, visitors should plan for limited beach facilities (i.e., toilets only).
The Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) access is closed at this time.
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service