Camping at Assateague with baby

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, how does Cape Henlopen compare re sun and bugs? Might this be a better alternative? Also, those who encountered many bugs, what time of year was it? We were planning for Labor Day, if that's relevant.

It is better for a few reasons. It cuts 1 hour off of your trip. You are not camping in the sun, but you are close to the beach. I admit I have not been there in a while so if the kids were older I would do Assateague because there is so much more to do. But Henlopen is more "authentic" camping, without the restaurants and waterpark options.

[Anonymous]

The amount of flies/mosquitoes is unbearable. I would probably have a root canal without pain meds than return to that hell hole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The amount of flies/mosquitoes is unbearable. I would probably have a root canal without pain meds than return to that hell hole.

Henlopen or Assateague?

[Anonymous]

My friend got a serious corneal abrasion from all the blowing sand at Assateague! Sounds awful with an infant (or anyone).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, how does Cape Henlopen compare re sun and bugs? Might this be a better alternative? Also, those who encountered many bugs, what time of year was it? We were planning for Labor Day, if that's relevant.

We went late August and had tons of flies. (In Assateague, not Cape Henlopen.)

[Anonymous]

Went to Assateague and walked around the bay side shore when I was younger...can't remember what year it was, or who I went with, but I remember those flies. Dear god...the flies.

[Anonymous]

We did the state park at Assateague for a few years, then Cape Henlopen. We used to go over Memorial Day because usually it is too early for flies and many mosquitos, until one year when it was unusually warm and we were eaten alive by both. After that, we started doing day trips. Assateague was nice, but the sun is unrelenting, even with a shade house, sunscreen, etc. At Henlopen, there is more shade in the campground, but it is further to the beach. If you do go to Assateague, heed the PP advice about sand stakes. We didn't know what we were doing the first year, and came back to our campsite after getting firewood to find our tent blowing down the road. I recall being able to use regular stakes at Henlopen. We did have issues with ticks and snakes at Henlopen, too. I went to change my DD diaper and she had ticks under it. We camp a lot, usually in western Maryland or Shenandoah, and have never had issues with ticks there.

[Anonymous]

Biting flies, ouch.

[Anonymous]

We go to the federal park at Assateaque every May. In fact, we are going this weekend. No flies or mosquitos. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

I will be happy to take over your reservations if you chicken out! Our kids are older and we embarrasingly STILL haven't taken them camping. I used to backpack but turned into a wimp when my 1st was born. Haven't stayed anywhere without a dishwasher in 7 years
I would bail and rent a cheap Victorian in Chincoteague.
The oceanfront sites at Assateague S.P. are not too bad and you have the warm water showers.
One tip for folks using the showers at the NP (where the mosquitos wait for you and then attack when you get in) is mix up a solution of water, ammonia and a little dish soap (to get it to stick) in a spray bottle and bring it with you. Spray around the shower, car, water faucet etc. just before you do something there. It knocks them back long enough to get in and get out. They hate the ammonia.