When you hear “Chincoteague Island” most people think about the famous Chincoteague Ponies. These incredible wild ponies have helped shape the culture of Chincoteague and become a part of the island’s identity.
There is no definitive origin story for how the horses ended up on Assateague Island. We know that in the 1700s farmers that lived on the island allowed their horses to roam and graze there. It’s possible the ponies descended from horses left to roam the island escaping round up by their owners. There were also many shipwrecks off the coast of Assateague, including Spanish Galleons, so it is possible that horses onboard a wrecked ship swam ashore and began to populate the island. Even some mix of the legends may be true. In 2022 a study on DNA from an equine tooth located in an archaeological site of one of the early Spanish settlements in South America was released. The results show a connection between those Spanish horses and Chincoteague Ponies, which brings some validity to the Spanish Galleon shipwreck theory.No matter how they arrived, the horses on Assateague evolved into a new breed and the ponies that live on the Virginia side of Assateague Island are now known as Chincoteague Ponies. They stand 12 to 14 hands tall with distinctive round bellies due to their diets consisting of salt-marsh plants. Some are pintos while others are a variety of solid colors. Their small size, thick coats, and strong hooves are adaptations that help them thrive in the harsh environment of Assateague Island. When domesticated, they are known to be strong and stable with a hardy, intelligent, and adaptable temperament.
While these ponies have roamed Assateague Island for centuries, the world came to know about them through Marguerite Henry’s 1947 award-winning children’s novel, Misty of Chincoteague. In 1946 while staying at Miss Molly's Inn, Marguerite penned the book and illustrator Wesley Dennis created the original artwork. The fictional story revolved around a real Chincoteague Pony named Misty and the Beebe family who owned her. Children and parents immediately fell in love with Misty, the Beebe family, and Chincoteague Island through reading the book. A second wave of fame came in 1961 when the movie Misty premiered. It was filmed here on the island with locals featured alongside Hollywood actors. The beauty of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands were displayed on the big screen and many more people started coming to the island to visit. The island has since become a bucket-list trip for Misty-lovers fulfilling dreams from their childhood.
Part of the novel depicts the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company’s annual Pony Round-up, Swim, and Auction. “Round-ups” have been occurring on Chincoteague and Assateague Island since people began to populate the islands in the 17th century. Farmers would gather the grazing livestock to take count, brand, trade, or sell if necessary. Throughout the 20th century there were large, somewhat organized, sheep and pony round ups and auctions. In 1925, after two fires that devastated the downtown area, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company was formed and it was decided that an annual Round-up, Carnival, and Auction of ponies would support the newly formed organization. The annual event became a cherished annual event for the locals and has grown in popularity in the century since it first began, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the island each July.
Today, a grazing permit with US Fish & Wildlife Service allows the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company to graze 150 adult ponies on federal land. The auction each year serves to maintain that limit and raises necessary funds to help sustain the island fire company and care for the ponies. Although the annual Pony Swim and Auction takes place on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, the wild Chincoteague Ponies are visible daily year round in their natural habitat in the marshes and maritime forests on Assateague Island, VA within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. There are two other annual round-ups, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. These are much smaller events and serve to monitor the health of the ponies with vet checks and vaccinations.
In 2023 the Chincoteague Pony was named the Official Pony of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In a speech announcing the designation Governor Glenn Youngkin stated “This little horse uplifts a huge portion of the eastern shore and provides valuable tourism for residents every single year. They represent the Virginia spirit and we can now proudly say that they are the Pony of Virginia.”
Today, the Chincoteague Ponies and Misty have become entwined in the community and culture of Chincoteague Island. From businesses dedicated to the ponies, souvenirs with pony and Saltwater Cowboy themes, and restaurants with pony themed menu items, to our local high school mascot the “Ponies” and the elementary school “Colts” mascot there are ponies everywhere you turn.
We love our Chincoteague Ponies and we know you will too!
Chincoteague is for Pony Lovers Itinerary
Start your getaway by booking a stay at one of our hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, cottages, or rental homes.
The most obvious choice for a Misty lover is Miss Molly’s Inn, where Misty of Chincoteague was written. However, there are so many great pony lover accommodation options!
The Channel Bass Inn & Restaurant has been around since the 1920s, before the swim even started! Some of the stars from the Misty movie stayed here during filming.
Tom’s Cove Park is a campground with a view of Assateague Island, where you can spot ponies from your waterfront campsite.
We have a wide variety of hotels and motels to fit your needs. For the pony lovers, we recommend the Refuge Inn for its proximity to Assateague Island AND the fact that they keep Chincoteague Ponies onsite for their guests to visit. Also, Snug Harbor, with its views of Assateague Island and onsite kayak rentals, which can take you closer to our wild ponies.
Many private rentals homes and cottages theme your stay around the ponies and provide views of Assateague Island. Be sure to check with our Property Management Companies to help you find the perfect pony getaway stay.
Day 1
Breakfast at your hotel, B&B, rental house or campground or in one of the many restaurants serving hot, full meals to get you started.
Swing by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce to get maps, guides, information, and helpful hints from the friendly staff. Be sure to get a Historic Chincoteague Island Self-Guided Tour brochure, which includes Misty’s Trail to help you explore the life and legend of the famous pony.
Hike, bike, or drive over to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Bicycles are available through the island’s bike rental companies if you didn’t bring your own.
Hike up to the historic Assateague Lighthouse built in 1867. While you can visit the lighthouse year-round, seasonally the building opens to climb the 175-steps up the circular staircase to the top for an incredible view of Assateague, Chincoteague, and Wallops Islands as well as portions of coastal Virginia and Maryland. You could will have a birds eye view of some ponies from up there too.
As you continue farther into the wildlife refuge, your next stop will be the Herbert H. Bateman Visitor Center to learn about the island, maritime forests, beach, wildlife, and aquatic life on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Assateague Island National Seashore through a variety of interactive displays and talking with park rangers.
Take a Refuge Trek Tour. This small bus tour is a program owned and operated by Friends of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. It leaves from the Bateman Center and takes visitors up the seven-mile service road that is not open to the public. It is where the Northern Herd of Chincoteague ponies live. Learn information about the history of the Refuge while spotting some of the amazing wildlife that lives there. This is a great way to see some ponies, sometimes they even hang out next to the road! These tours are available seasonally.
After leaving the Bateman Center, continue heading into the Refuge and you will see the Southern Herd’s grazing area on your right. This is the smaller herd, with an average of 30-50 ponies. There are spots to pull off of Beach Road for pony viewing. If they are close to the fence, there will probably be cars stopped already.
Continuing on Beach Road, the parking lot for the Woodland Trail is on the right. This is a hiking and biking trail with an observation platform from which you can often see bands from the Southern Herd.
Beach Road ends at the Assateague Island National Seashore where you can soak up the sun with your toes in the sand and listen to the waves as you enjoy lunch. Some of our restaurants offer boxed lunches, perfect for a picnic on the beach!
As you drive back onto Chincoteague Island stop by and explore the Museum of Chincoteague Island to learn more about the history of the ponies and to see Misty and her foal Stormy, both were preserved and are on display for you to visit. Be sure to get a combo ticket for the Beebe Ranch for Day 2!
Next, wander the Historic Downtown area, where there a many stops on Misty’s Trail. You can also take guided a walking tour from Chincoteague Step Through Time Tours. Where an expert on island history will give you a fantastic look back at Chincoteague from the early settlers to today, with tons of great stories about the people and ponies that have made Chincoteague a special place to live.
Shop for horse-themed treasures while you stroll through the shops and boutiques on the island or purchase a painting or photograph of the Chincoteague Ponies from a local artist. Local shops, bookstores and Chincoteague Island Library offer numerous titles exploring the possible origins of the wild ponies.
Dine at one of our fine restaurants feasting on fresh from the waters, clams, world-famous Chincoteague Oysters, and the 'catch of the day' which could be red drum, flounder, rockfish, or tuna.
Complete your day with an ice cream treat at one of our amazing ice cream shops.
Day 2
Grab a cup of coffee and a pastry from JavaHorse Coffee or Mister Whippy then go on a morning boat tour, this is a great way to see the ponies. The island has an amazing group of boat captains that are experts on the waterways surrounding Chincoteague. They are pros at finding ponies for their guests.
After your tour, visit the Beebe Ranch to learn about Misty of Chincoteague, the history of raising ponies on the island, and meet descendants of Misty herself.
Picnic at a beautiful waterfront park with a boxed lunch or enjoy indoor dining at one of our wonderful restaurants.
Next stop, the Chincoteague Pony Centre. Not only do they have an amazing and unique gift shop, but they also offer a chance to interact with Chincoteague Ponies through shows, riding, lessons, and more.
When evening arrives, take a ride on the Pony Express Trolley. Bring your self-guided tour brochure and see how many Misty’s Trail stops you can find as the trolley takes you around the entire island.
Check our events calendar for other special lectures, programs and events happening throughout the year. Look for events with the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team or at Neversink Farm for up-close horse-centered event activities. Also, check to see if the Island Theatre is having a free showing of the movie Misty.
