Town of ChincoteagueTide Gauge Information: Click here
Boat Ramps and Launching Facilities: Click here for map
Boat launching facilities are located within the Curtis Merritt Harbor of Refuge. The Harbor is located at the southern end of the Island off Main Street. The Town leases 25′, 30′, 40′, and 50′ slips. There is a waiting list for slips. However, when leaseholders are not using their slip, there may be opportunities for short-term sublease of slips through the Town. You may contact the Town and leave a message for the Harbormaster concerning subleasing. The Town Dock is located on Main Street across from the firehouse behind the American legion building. The Eastside Boat Ramp is located on Eastside Road, and Fir Landing is located on Fir Landing Road off of Deep Hole Road. A fee of $20.00 is charged for an annual boat launch permit which is valid from April 15 of each year to April 14 of the following year. A temporary pass valid for seven consecutive days from purchase is available for $5.00. The decal or pass may be purchased from the Town Office or the Curtis Merritt Harbor of Refuge. The Police Department also sells decals when the Town Office is closed; evenings, weekends and holidays.
Note: Boat ramp/launch permits are for any use of the boat launch such as; boats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, etc.
Robert N. Reed, Sr. Downtown Waterfront Park
The Town of Chincoteague, with the support of local businesses and a network of volunteers, has completed an ambitious revitalization project in the downtown area. The Town has accumulated nearly $1.7 million in various grants and local matches toward the project. One major phase of the revitalization involved the development of a new waterfront park. This park, located in the heart of downtown offers recreational opportunities, a site for festivals and events and a beautiful view of sunsets. There are currently 10 boat slips available for rent to transient boats from 26’to 50’ in length. The depth of slips is about 10′. The park is ADA accessible, inclusive of boat slips. For more information on events and accommodations at the Robert N. Reed, Sr. Downtown Waterfront Park call the Town Office at 757-336-6519 or contact us via e-mail at: april@chincoteague-va.gov or louise@chincoteague-va.gov.
Island Nature Trail
The Island Nature Trail is located along both sides of Hallie Whealton Smith Drive. The land where the trail is located represents some of last large tracts of undeveloped land on Chincoteague. The trail is a place where you can see wildlife in its natural habitat and it provides a safe haven for people to walk, run, ride their bike, bird-watch, or just enjoy the natural side of Chincoteague. The south side of Hallie Whealton Smith Drive has an accessible 0 .7 mile long paved loop path complete with benches and an interpretive sign display. Pets on leashes are allowed along this portion of the trail. The north side of Hallie Whealton Smith Drive is a natural surface trail that loops approximately 0.45 miles through pine forest and glade. No pets are allowed on this portion.
Donald J. Leonard Park
The Donald J. Leonard Park is located across from the Chincoteague Combined School on North Main Street and protects an open view of Chincoteague Bay with approximately 600 feet of water frontage. Over 2.7 acres of waterfront land has been left in its natural state for the enjoyment of the citizens and visitors alike. The Park facilities allow for off street parking up to 10 cars, picnic tables, and kayak access to the Virginia Seaside Water Trail.
Island Biking
The Chincoteague Recreation and Community Enhancement Committee is taking great strides towards enhancing the recreational experience of the bicycling public on Chincoteague Island. Detailed information on Island bicycling can be obtained by clicking here:
Chincoteague Veteran’s Memorial Park
The Town of Chincoteague has a lovely waterfront park, Chincoteague Veteran’s Memorial Park, for the recreation of residents and visitors. Memorial Park is located on Eastside Road. The Park has tennis courts, basketball courts, playground equipment, fishing/crabbing pier, ball field, boat ramp, pavilion and restrooms. The pavilion may be reserved for groups through a permit issued by the Town for approval. It is recommended that you contact the Town Office to check availability at (757)336-6519. There is no fee for reserving the pavilion. The Commonwealth of Virginia enforces a recreational fishing license for the water surrounding Chincoteague. The Town of Chincoteague purchases a fishing license for the Veteran’s Memorial Park fishing pier, so an individual license is not required. Please check with local bait and tackle shops for fishing license regulations regarding private piers, boats and the regulations for surf fishing on Assateague Island…etc.
Chincoteague Dog Park
The Town of Chincoteague has completed the Dog Park. It is located on Hallie Whealton Smith Drive adjacent to the Island Nature Trail. You must purchase a permit to utilize the Dog Park. Permits may be purchased at any time at the Town Office or Chincoteague Police Department at 6150 Community Drive. The Dog Park is open dawn to dusk. Anytime the Dog Park is locked it is considered closed. Anyone caught in the Dog Park while it is closed will be prosecuted for trespassing. Trespassing is a class one misdemeanor which is punishable by 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500.00 fine.
The Dog Park will be open Friday, May 24th, 2019. Permits are on sale now.
The Dog Park is located on Hallie Whealton Smith Drive adjacent to the Island Nature Trail. You must purchase a permit to utilize the Dog Park. Permits may be purchased at any time at the Town Office or Chincoteague Police Department at 6150 Community Drive. The Dog Park is open from dawn to dusk. Anytime the Dog Park is locked it is considered closed. Anyone caught in the Dog Park while it is closed will be prosecuted for trespassing. Trespassing is a class one misdemeanor which is punishable by 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500.00 fine.
The annual permit is $35 for your 1st dog and $5 for each of your other dogs.
The annual permits run from April 15th, 2020 to April 15th, 2021.
Weekly Permits (7 days): $15 for your 1st dog and $5 for each of your other dogs.
Dog Park Rules and Etiquette:
• Dog park will be open from Dawn to Dusk.
• All dogs using the dog park must display a current dog license and proof of vaccination.
• All dogs using the dog park must be at least 4 months old.
• All dogs over 30 pounds must use the large dog area and are NOT permitted in the small dog area.
• Dogs 30 pounds or less must use the small dog area.
• Dog handlers must remain inside the dog park with their dog at all times.
• Dog handlers must be 16 years old or older.
• Dog handlers must be in control and in visual contact with their dog at all times.
• Handlers must follow the double gate protocol when entering and leaving the dog park.
• Dog park gates must be securely closed at all times.
• Children 7 years old and younger are not allowed in the dog park.
• Children older than 7 and less than 16 must be accompanied by a responsible parent or adult.
• Dogs in heat are not allowed in the dog park.
• Dog handlers must clean up after their dog and dispose of dog waste in the designated receptacles.
• Dogs must be on a leash when entering and leaving the dog park.
• Handlers must always carry a leash inside the dog park to impose immediate control over their dog when required.
• Dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior must leave the dog park at the first sign of aggression; a dog consistently exhibiting aggressive behavior on multiple visits is permanently banned from the dog park.
• Dogs that bark continuously must be removed from the dog park.
• Handlers must replace divots and fill any holes caused by their dog.
• A handler is limited to 2 dogs, both of which must remain in the same area of the dog park.
• No animals other than dogs are permitted in the dog park.
• The dog park is a smoke free zone.
• Professional dog trainers may not conduct business in the dog park.
• Glass containers are not permitted in the dog park.
• Dog grooming is not permitted in the dog park.
• No food is permitted in the dog park with the exception of small dog training treats.
• Any dog bite to a human or to another dog must be reported immediately to the Chincoteague Police Department and to 911 should a person require immediate medical attention, and parties involved may not leave the area until the police and EMS (if summoned) arrive.
• Violations of dog park rules may incur fines, revocation of dog park access or other punitive measures.
• Incident reports will be available at the entrance and dog park users are encouraged to report any infraction of the rules or any questionable behavior to the Chincoteague Police Department.
• Handlers bring their dogs to the unleashed area understanding that they are doing so at their own risk.
• Dog handlers and the dog owners, and not the Town of Chincoteague, are fully responsible for any damage or injury caused by their dogs while using the dog park.
