THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Assateague Island National Seashore today announced it will begin a $2.5 million water line replacement project in mid-October to upgrade essential water infrastructure in developed areas of the park’s Maryland Unit. The project will improve water pressure and reliability for visitors and park operations while supporting current needs and future facility improvements.
Official NPS sourceEffective Monday, October 6, 2025, Assateague Island National Seashore will launch a major paving project. The National Park Service will repave hard-surfaced parking lots in the Seashore’s Maryland District, Old Ferry Landing Road and all Bayside Camping Loops.
Official NPS sourceDue to extensive damage from Hurricane Erin storm and tidal surge all of the Chincoteague Beach and all Beach Parking is closed until further notice. The Tom’s Cove Visitor Center is also closed.
Official NPS sourceDue to the approach of Hurricane Erin, the following closures are in effect on Assateague Island-effective immediately. 1) The Oversand Vehicle Areas (both in Maryland and Virginia) are closed until further notice due to flooding and beach erosion. 2) All Oceanside Beaches (including the Assateague Island State Park Beach) are closed to all in water activities due to extreme Rip Current conditions and anticipated extremely high surf. 3) There is a partial closure of Parking Lots at the Chincoteague Beach location-it is anticipated that this will eventually become a complete closure.
Official NPS sourceUPDATE July 29, 2025: The individual who drowned at Assateague Island National Seashore on July 24, 2025, has been identified as 18-year-old Cresencio Lucas Chavez Velasquez of Parksley, Virginia.
Official NPS source
Assateague Island needs you! Saturday, September 28th is National Public Lands Day and to celebrate we are having an island cleanup.
Official NPS source
In consultation with the multiple state and federal agencies, we are pleased to report that swimming and ocean access can now be permitted on the lifeguarded beaches in both Maryland and Virginia! As we continue to cleanse and monitor beaches, we will open other areas incrementally. The Oceanside Campground Beach and South Beach will reopen for water activities at 10 AM Saturday 9/21.
Official NPS source
The Bayside Parking Area, Bayside Beach and Bayside Picnic Area will be closed for construction beginning 0700 Tuesday 03 September 2024. The area will reopen Friday/Saturday/Sunday Sept 6/7/8. Closures will continue every M/T/W/Th until work is completed. Assateague Island National Seashore staff will be finishing emergency shore stabilization work which was started in the spring.
Official NPS sourceThe Bayside Parking Area, Bayside Beach and Bayside Picnic Area will be closed for construction beginning Monday April 1st. Assateague Island National Seashore staff will be doing emergency shore stabilization work and changing the configuration of the parking area.
Official NPS source
Assateague Island National Seashore (ASIS) is one of several National Park Service sites on the Atlantic Coast that will benefit from two new coastal resource management projects recently funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Official NPS source
We are pleased to announce the winners of the annual Assateague Island Superintendent’s Award, and the Assateague Island Safety Award. The Superintendent’s Award is given to an employee or employees who have performed “above and beyond” during the previous year. The Safety Award is given to an employee who has made a major contribution to the safety program or the safety culture of the park and is chosen from peer nominations.
Official NPS sourceA new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 6,675,119 visitors to national parks in Maryland spent $246.6 million in the state in 2021. That spending resulted in 2,940 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $344.3 million.
Official NPS source