Things to Do in Corolla, NC: Wild Horses

Scott Trabue’s Wild Horse Safari is an off-road eco-adventure that will deliver you and your family directly to the wild Spanish mustangs that have thrived on the northern Outer Banks for nearly 500 years. Your naturalist guide will carry you in custom open-air Safari Cruisers through 30 miles of beaches, dune and back-country sand lanes to discover the Outer Banks’ unique wildlife. Shore life including pelicans, dolphins and osprey are almost always present. You will hear stories about the Ghost Fleet and Outer Banks maritime history and learn about the mysterious petrified forest. Back Country Outfitters has exclusive access to the Spanish Mustang Preserve, where sightings of these regal wild horses are guaranteed, while your tour guide explains their Spanish Colonial heritage and the local preservation efforts. Reservations are required.

Corolla Wild Horse Fund's museum, gift shop and offices are located in Historic Corolla Village. Visit them to discover the fascinating history and legacy of the Banker strain of Colonial Spanish Mustangs. Mustangs were brought to the Outer Banks nearly 500 years ago and their descendants are still with us today, although this hardy, majestic breed is now highly endangered. The whole family can learn about the horses and their cultural significance by visiting the Fund's new exhibit and speaking with their knowledgeable staff. Donations are accepted and benefit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, managers of the wild herd. All proceeds from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund gift shop also benefit the Fund and the wild horses. The Fund has a Porch Pick-Up program so you can shop online and pick up your merchandise on the porch. 

Open all year, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund also offers special programming, especially in the summer. Activities include a weekly event called Mustang Mornings in which their rehabilitation facility at the Betsy Dowdy Equine Center in Grandy will be open for visitors to see the rescued mustangs under the Fund's care and the work that they do with them. It's an opportunity to get an inside look at things and perhaps meet a horse you've heard much about. There are also Meet a Mustang events at various locations and times throughout the summer where visitors can see and pet a tamed and gentled mustang as well as Paint a Mustang events using wooden horses in various sizes. For current information on hours of operation and the scheduling of any of these events, see the Fund's website and Facebook page. All events are subject to cancellation.

If you want to see the wild horses in the four-wheel-drive area north of Corolla, Wild Horse Adventure Tours can be your guide for this popular Outer Banks activity. They’ll get you into horse country in their open-air Hummer H1s, which have been custom designed to seat up to 13 passengers comfortably. With exclusive rights to the Wild Horse Sanctuary in Swan Beach, the seasoned guides at Wild Horse Adventure Tours know exactly where to look for the horses. They know how to drive in the sand and they know a lot about the history of the area too, making for an enlightening trip. They’ll also point out wildlife, plants and interesting natural aspects of this ocean-side environment. They run many scheduled trips per day, so call to get all the details and make a reservation. Prices vary per season.