Assateague Lighthouse

A red-and-white banded brick tower of 1867, 43 m tall, standing in pine woods well back from the shore — the island has grown seaward around it since it was built.

A short sandy trail leads from the parking area to the base. Climbing the 175 steps is the reason to come: the top opens onto the whole island at once, the Assateague Channel and Chincoteague on one side, an unbroken line of dune and Atlantic on the other, with marsh and pine stretching north. Landings with windows break the ascent for anyone who needs them. The light is still active.

Practical: the climb is open only on certain days and seasonally, usually Friday to Sunday in the warmer months, with a small fee on top of the refuge entrance pass. Grounds and trail are accessible whenever the refuge is open, so you can see the tower even when it is closed to climbing.