Assateague Lighthouse: An RV Traveler's Guide
PickRV Editorial
The small team behind PickRV
Assateague Lighthouse stands among the pines on the Virginia end of Assateague Island, near Chincoteague, within a national wildlife refuge famous for its wild ponies. The current 142-foot tower has guided mariners since 1867, and in 1968 the Coast Guard gave it the bold red-and-white stripes it still wears. Ownership passed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, making it a memorable stop on a wild-coast RV trip.
Where is the Assateague Lighthouse and what makes it special?
It's on the Virginia end of Assateague Island near Chincoteague, inside a national wildlife refuge. The 142-foot tower has shown a light since 1867 and wears red-and-white stripes added in 1968; it's surrounded by wild ponies and birdlife.
- ·Current tower lit 1867, 142 ft tall
- ·Red-and-white stripes (added 1968)
- ·In a national wildlife refuge of wild ponies
State
Virginia (Assateague Island, near Chincoteague)
Current tower lit
1867
Height
142 ft
Manager
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The striped tower rises out of loblolly pines rather than open dunes, a wooded setting that fits its home inside a wildlife refuge where wild ponies, deer, and migratory birds share the island.
Assateague straddles two states, and the Virginia end near Chincoteague is the quieter, more nature-focused side — a fitting RV destination for travelers who want beaches, marshes, and wildlife over boardwalk crowds.
Because the lighthouse sits within a national wildlife refuge and remains an active navigation aid, access and any tower-opening hours follow refuge rules and seasons — confirm current details with the managing agency before you plan your visit.
Nearby & related
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