UPDATE: January, 2026
Chincoteague Island is one of the best places on the East Coast to photograph the Milky Way. So, if you’re looking for a place to photograph night photos, Chincoteague Island should be at the top of your list. We traveled here, scoured the area, and took pictures. We gathered all the information to share with you personally. We go here every year, and it is that good and within driving distance for us.
CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND
The island is located in Virginia and is part of a group of barrier islands. The island is known for its natural beauty, wildlife, and beaches. Several state parks on the island offer great views of the night sky. We focus on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
MILKY WAY AT CHINCOTEAGUE
There are many great locations on the island for Milky Way photography. One of the best spots is Assateague Island National Seashore, and another for Milky Way photography is Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge. This refuge offers over 14,000 acres of protected land, making it one of the dark sky preserves in the United States. During the day, there are also plenty of opportunities to photograph wildlife at this location.
Chincoteague Island is a photographer’s paradise with dark skies and beautiful landscapes. You will need two full days to photograph both locations.
LOCATION:
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336-2149 – (757) 336-6122 – See below for how to get there.
If you want to go to both locations:
Assateague Island Visitor Center – Maryland District
11800 Marsh View Lane
Berlin, MD 21811
FEES UPDATED JAN 2026:
Daily Pass – Valid for a full day of purchase, $10.00
Weekly Pass -Valid for seven days, $25.00
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Annual Pass – Valid for one year, $45.00
WHEN SHOULD I GO TO CHICOGTEAUGE ISLAND?
Chincoteague Island is a popular summer vacation destination in Virginia’s Eastern Shore region. The island is home to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, known for its abundant wildlife, including the famous Chincoteague ponies.
The best time to visit Chincoteague Island for photography is during the summer when the weather is warm and sunny. However, it’s essential to remember that the island can be pretty crowded this time of year. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, the shoulder season (May-June and September-October) is a good time to visit. Don’t forget to be sure it is Milky Way season and Milky Way week before planning your trip. The Milky Way is visible through October of each year.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
THE REFUGE INN – OUR PICK BEST HOTEL
There are several hotels and resorts on Chincoteague Island, but we recommend booking your accommodations in advance at the Refuge Inn for the best rates, service, and overall outstanding experience. It is located just outside the park entrance, so the convenience is also a plus. SEE DETAILS BELOW.
Chincoteague Island is a beautiful place to spend a week or a weekend.
BEST LOCATIONS ON THE ISLAND:
1. The Beach—The beach is a great place to set up your camera and photograph the Milky Way, but plan for foreground material. There is not much on the beach. We caught a bus, leaving, creating light trails in our image.
2. Maddox Family Cemetery – This cemetery offers a unique vantage point for photographing the night sky. The gravestones make for exciting foreground elements in your pictures.
3. Assateague Lighthouse – The lighthouse is a classic landmark on Chincoteague Island. We photographed it in the background while standing outside the park limits.
4. Ponies – These wild ponies are an iconic part of Chincoteague Island and are challenging to plan. The ponies roam primarily at a distance, so don’t count on getting this type of shot. Lighting them up in the darkness would also be difficult unless you get lucky enough to find a pony standing still for your long exposure that is not far in the distance.
5. The main road – It has a few good spots where the waters reflect the stars, as seen in the images above, next to the sign entering the park. The road around the loop closes at night, so don’t scout that area during the daytime looking for sites unless you plan to do a lot of walking.
Chincoteague NP is a 20,000-acre cypress swamp and freshwater lagoon that attracts bird watchers worldwide.
The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is home to one of the Shawnee herds of wild ponies, who have been free-roaming the islands for the past 200 years. The fire company has owned one of those herds since 1943 and has a special permit to graze 150 of them on the refuge.
The refuge has many habitats for diverse wildlife. You can find the ponies and birds on the beach. Still, you’ll also see many birds, such as migrating and federally endangered peregrine falcons, arriving in late September and October. The dunes are a nesting ground for piping plovers and other shorebirds with shrubs where migratory birds and monarch butterflies live. The forest is home to deer, fox squirrels, and more, while waterways are a habitat for ducks.
BREAKFAST
Just fill out the form, hand it to your door, and breakfast arrives!! You can look at the image above and see the variety of things you can order. There is a coffee bar downstairs by the office. We sat outside on the balcony patio in our room overlooking the grounds and the indoor/outdoor pool, and enjoyed our breakfast before heading off to do photography.
DELUXE ROOMS
Offering unsurpassed island elegance, their well-appointed King rooms feature carefully chosen furnishings, textures, toiletries, and fabrics. King rooms comfortably sleep two guests.
QUEEN ROOMS
The individually decorated queen rooms are furnished with two queen beds, exceeding the average, so four guests can comfortably sleep in them.
Think Tank Camera Bags. Special offer!
The Chincoteague Lighthouse is a historic landmark located inside the park. It was built in 1833 and has been in operation ever since. The light from the Chincoteague Lighthouse can be seen for miles, making it a popular tourist destination.
PHOTOGRAPHING THE LIGHTHOUSE
The Chincoteague Lighthouse is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Nestled on the edge of Assateague Island, the lighthouse offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and Chincoteague Bay.
Visitors to the lighthouse can explore the grounds, climb to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of the area, or take a tour of the lighthousekeeper’s quarters. The grounds also offer a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts.
The Chincoteague Lighthouse has undergone several changes over the years. Still, it remains an active aid to navigation—the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently lists it as part of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
HOW TO GET THERE
Chincoteague Island is a small island off the coast of Virginia. It is accessible by car, ferry, or plane.
If you visit the Eastern Shore round-trip within 24 hours, your return trip is only $6 during off-peak periods and $2 during peak periods.
If you are visiting Chincoteague from Maryland or Delaware, you can take the highway at Pocomoke City and go down towards Chincoteague.
The island can be reached by car via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which connects it to the mainland. The bridge is about 23 miles long and has a toll of $14 for cars and $18 during peak periods, Friday through Sunday, May 15 – September 15.
Some of the birds at the refuge:
AREA INFORMATION
Chincoteague National Wildlife Reserve
CAMPING
We like this one for its location.
Camp and glamp in style at Chincoteague Bay RV Resort and Cottages, located on Chincoteague Bay, VA’s premier waterfront RV resort and campground. Choose from spacious RV sites, premium waterfront cottages, and glamping tents designed for ultimate comfort and relaxation.
Enjoy exclusive resort amenities, including a sports court, zero-entry swimming pool, private fishing pier, and scenic waterfront boardwalk. Explore the charm of Chincoteague Island, known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and exciting family-friendly activities. Experience why Virginia’s Eastern Shore is a top vacation destination for generations of campers and glampers.
From $90 to $190 a night. The waterfront sites are the expensive ones. It’s a lot of money for a view for in a campground.
Here’s a less expensive option.
TOMS COVE PARK – Beebe Road
Tent (No Hook Ups) $56.15 per day
Electric and Water $69.63 per day
Waterfront (Electric and Water) $83.10 per day
Electric, Water and Sewer $74.12 per day
Reservations can be made by mailing payment or walking in.
HOTELS
The Refuge Inn – See full details and images above.
Photography, Lessons, Workshops and Classes.
Julio Castro – Landscape Photographer of the Year
