Blog
On August 25, 2025, under the quiet buzz of a late-summer night on Assateague Island, a golden palomino filly slipped into the world. She was the 102nd foal born in the CVFC Pony Herds in 2025, and nobody knows how it happened, but by morning, this l… Read more
Around the first of September each year, the Tom’s Cove Hook reopens to walkers. On March 15 it closes again so migratory shorebirds can nest and raise their young on its flats. Here, the rhythm of the tides writes and rewrites the shoreline each day… Read more
There’s something special about October on Chincoteague Island. The summer rush has drifted out to sea, the air feels clean and quiet, and the marshes glow during golden hour. Two days is just enough time to settle into the rhythm of the island. Here… Read more
Donald Leonard was a lifetime member of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and a rough and tumble Saltwater Cowboy for decades. He seemed to have been born with ponies in his blood. This is not surprising as his great-grandfather, Kendal Jester,… Read more
October is the month the refuge changes over. The last warblers still move through the pines in the mornings, falcons hunt the edges of the marsh, and by the end of the month the first ducks and swans settle onto the water. Shorebirds thin out from t… Read more
Refuge Inn founder Don Leonard is pictured with three of his children, Carlton, Arthur, and Jane, along with the buyback colt that would become known as the original Don Leonard Stud. What most people don't know: Don created the Buyback program as pa… Read more
We are thrilled to announce that former Refuge Inn owner Donna Leonard has been named the 2025 John White Shields Outstanding Citizen. This award recognizes an individual who has consistently demonstrated excellence in community leadership and exhibi… Read more
Celebrate Mother’s Day on Chincoteague Island: A Relaxing & Joyful Weekend Getaway Looking for the perfect way to show Mom just how much she means to you? Treat her to a refreshing, nature-filled weekend on Chincoteague Island. With the Refuge Inn as… Read more
There is something extra special about Chincoteague in May - the scent of salt in the air, the sound of shorebirds returning, and the energy of the island reawakening for the season. If you’re planning a spring escape, this 3-day itinerary hits all t… Read more
Easter weekend is one of the most joyful and relaxing times to visit Chincoteague Island. Spring brings blooming flowers, migrating birds, and the return of island traditions that make this community so special. Whether you're looking to unwind by th… Read more