Pets are banned from the entire refuge at all times, including inside your vehicle, so a dog cannot come to the beach at all. Service animals as defined by the ADA are the only exception and must be on a leash of six feet or less.
Alcohol is prohibited everywhere on the refuge, including the beach, at all times of year.
Fires are prohibited except for a limited number of open fires authorised by special permit, issued by the National Park Service at the Toms Cove Visitor Center. Open fires are separately prohibited in the Virginia over-sand vehicle zone with no permit available.
Unmanned aircraft, including drones, are prohibited throughout the refuge at all times.
Surf fishing into the ocean and the bay is permitted under Virginia saltwater fishing regulations, which means a valid Virginia saltwater licence. Crabbing and shellfishing are also permitted.
Metal detectors are prohibited throughout the refuge at all times, and collecting or disturbing artefacts is separately prohibited.
Not verified here
We have not verified this rule for this beach yet. Check with the city before you rely on it.
We have not verified this rule for this beach yet. Check with the city before you rely on it.
We have not verified this rule for this beach yet. Check with the city before you rely on it.
We have not verified this rule for this beach yet. Check with the city before you rely on it.
Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge rules and policies · checked 2026-09-09. Rules change by ordinance and by season. When it matters, confirm with the posted signs.
Dogs at Chincoteague: Pets are banned from the entire refuge at all times, including inside your vehicle, so a dog cannot come to the beach at all. Service animals as defined by the ADA are the only exception and must be on a leash of six feet or less. Not allowed at Chincoteague: dogs, alcohol, drones, metal detecting. Allowed only in places or at certain times: fires & grills. Allowed: fishing. Checked against US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge rules and policies on 2026-09-09. Rules we have not verified for Chincoteague are marked as such rather than guessed on the beach rules page.