Day Trip Hike: Chincoteague NWR + Wild Ponies 🥾🐴🌾
Schedule
Sat, 02 May, 2026 at 09:00 am
UTC-04:00Location
8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336 | Chincoteague, VA
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Day Trip Hike: Chincoteague NWR + Wild Ponies (Relaxed Pace) 🐴🌾🥾Let’s take a fun day trip to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (VA side of Assateague Island) for an easy, flat walk with marsh views, coastal scenery, and a great chance to spot the famous wild ponies. This will be a relaxed/social pace with plenty of time for photos and quick breaks.
📅 Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
⏰ Meet Time: 9:00 AM (start walking ~9:10)
🚗 Suggested VB departure: 6:15–6:30 AM (traffic + quick stop buffer)
📍 Meet-up Spot:
✅ Herbert H. Bateman Educational & Administrative Center (inside Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge)
➡️ Address: 8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
🚻 Restrooms: Please use a bathroom before you get to the park — the Administrative Center opens at 10:00 AM.
🥾 Trails + Miles (easy/flat): 
• Wildlife Loop — 3.2 miles
• Black Duck Trail — 1.0 mile (connects Wildlife Loop ↔ Woodland Trail)
• Woodland Trail — 1.6 miles
• Lighthouse Trail — 0.25 miles (optional add-on)
🕒 Timing note: The Wildlife Loop opens to vehicles from 3:00 PM to dusk (still walkable, just shared with cars after 3). 
🏛️ Optional lighthouse add-on: If the Assateague Lighthouse is open for climbing that day, we’ll add a quick lighthouse stop after the hike. (Hours may vary — call 757-336-3696 for status.)
🍽️ Optional post-hike lunch: We’ll head to Ropewalk afterward for a casual waterfront lunch with great views (totally optional—join if you’d like!).
📍 6262 Marlin Street, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
📞 (757) 336-0512
🛶 Optional kayak add-on (after lunch): After lunch, anyone who wants can rent a single kayak at Chincoteague Island Outfitters starting at $20 for the first hour (+ $10 each additional hour). 
📍 7885 Eastside Road, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336 
📞 (757) 336-5129
🛶 Kayak add-on note: Kayak availability can be limited on weekends—reserve ahead if you want to guarantee a kayak.
🧴🦟 BUG SPRAY IS A MUST!
🚫 No dogs: Pets are not allowed on the refuge — even in your vehicle.
🐴 Pony safety: Please give the ponies plenty of space—do not feed or approach.
🚙💨💨 Comment if you’d like to carpool from Virginia Beach and we’ll coordinate! If you’re serious about carpooling, please join the group chat: https://m.me/j/AbbCK7_eyl2MEol2/
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Where is it happening?
8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336, 8193 Beach Rd, Chincoteague, VA 23336, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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