News Release

Assateague Island National Seashore, Virginia District Beach Parking Lots

NPS Photo

News Release Date: June 4, 2020

Contact: Liz Davis, 410-629-6087

(Berlin, MD) Repair work continues on beach parking lots in the Virginia District of Assateague Island National Seashore. Winter and spring storms, the COVID-19 global pandemic and hiring delays have impacted progress in completing the parking lot repairs. National Park Service (NPS) crews have been working 12 hour shifts to relocate and rebuild parking lot #2 and repair parking lots #3 and #4. 

Currently, less than 20% of the total parking spaces remain available near the Toms Cove Visitor Center and parking lot #1. Parking lot #2 has been relocated further west and completely rebuilt and repair work to parking lots #3 and #4 has been completed. NPS crews are working to establish a visitor driving lane through parking #2 to access approximately 45% more parking spaces in lots #3 and #4. Until this work is completed, visitors should expect limited parking capacity and limited access to restrooms and other beach support
facilities. 

The National Park Service asks the public to stay clear of the dunes, the construction site and all equipment in parking lots #2, #3 and #4 until work is 100% complete. Visitor entry into the work area is extremely dangerous and leads to unexpected and unnecessary delays. 

A rising sea level and frequent severe storms are becoming more commonplace and providing immediate visitor access is becoming more challenging after each storm. The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service both recognize how important parking and access to the beach are to the local community, surrounding counties and visitors from across the nation.