Entrance Fees
Your fee dollars help us provide a memorable visitor experience. They fund lifeguard and safety services, beach parking and trail maintenance. This money also goes towards interpretative programs and activities, as well as visitor facility improvements. We greatly appreciate your support.
You can also check our events page for a list of upcoming Fee Free days!
Notes about your pass
- You can use your entrance pass to visit our refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore.
- An entrance pass admits the passholder and fellow occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle (unfortunately pets are prohibited).
- An entrance pass is required all times of day throughout the year, except for posted free entrance days.
- If you aren't greeted at the entrance fee booth, please purchase your day pass at the self-serve fee station at the refuge visitor center (second left).
- Remember that passes are non-refundable and non-transferable. This means that the person who signed the pass must be in the vehicle.
- Passes marked with an asterisk (*) can be purchased online from the USGS Store and a physical pass will be mailed to you. Plan ahead, you must have the physical pass to enter the refuge.
Pass options
| Pedestrians and bicyclists | Free |
Daily Pass
Valid for full day of purchase
When no staff is present, purchase at self-serve fee station at refuge visitor center (second left). | $10.00 |
Weekly Pass
Valid for seven days | $25.00 |
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Annual Pass
Valid for one year | $45.00 |
Federal Duck Stamp
Valid for one year, July 1 to June 30, at all National Wildlife Refuges
An annual Beach Parking Permit is required to use a Federal Duck Stamp at Chincoteague refuge or Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland. |
$25.00 |
Annual Beach Parking Permit
This pass is required when using a Federal Duck Stamp at Chincoteague refuge or Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland. | $20.00 |
Interagency Annual Pass*
Valid at all federal recreation fee areas | $80.00 |
Lifetime Senior Pass*
U.S. citizens or residents 62 yrs. or older | $80.00 (lifetime) |
Annual Senior Pass*
U.S. citizens or residents 62 yrs. or older | $20.00 |
Annual Military Pass*
Active Duty U.S. Military and dependents | Free |
Veteran and Gold Star Family Member Access
Present documentation showing your eligibility at entrance station. | Free |
Access Pass*
Permanently disabled U.S. citizens or residents | Free (lifetime) |
Every Kid Outdoors Pass
U.S. 4th graders or 10 year old homeschool students, valid at all federal recreation fee areas for one year: September 1 to August 31 | Free - Voucher required |
| Taxi/Uber/Lyft Passengers | $5.00 per person |
Commercial Buses
Valid for one day |
| 20 passengers or less | $40.00 |
| 21 passengers or more | $100.00 |
