Chincoteague Island is the only resort island on Virginia's eastern shore. Assateague Island wild ponies travel the beach near Chincoteague and Ocean City. Assateague's south entrance is a 1/4 mile east of Chincoteague, and its north entrance is eight miles from Ocean City. Chincoteague and Ocean City are gateways to Assateague Island and provide vacation rentals, and vacation homes, lodgings/accommodations for outdoor recreation such as ecotours to see the wild ponies or to hike trails along the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge or on the 20 miles of National Seashore. Many visitors to this area are choosing vacation rentals by owner on Chincoteague Island, Assateague Island and Ocean City, Maryland as an alternative to staying in a hotel. The wild ponies are rounded up each July for the famous Pony Swim where half of the new foals are auctioned off to support the local fire department.