Assateague Island, Md. — As of this week, there are no lifeguards assigned to the national parks on either the Maryland or Virginia side of Assateague Island, creating a notable gap in beach safety just as the summer season begins. National Park Service officials say they are working to resolve the issue but have not provided a timeline for when lifeguards will return.
At the Maryland entrance to the Assateague National Seashore, beachgoers are now greeted by a warning sign: No Lifeguard on Duty. The announcement has already begun to shift visitor behavior, with some families opting to spend time in the adjacent state park, where lifeguards remain on duty.
Officials have not released a cause for the staffing issue. While some visitors say they are willing to monitor their children closely on unguarded beaches, others are choosing caution. The gap in coverage has also left returning seasonal staff uncertain. One former national park lifeguard, who had planned to return this year, said he’s now unsure whether he’ll be called back at all. Maryland’s state park lifeguards are currently able to respond to emergencies on the national side when needed, but there is no such backup option for the Virginia portion of the island, which falls entirely under national park jurisdiction.
