Point of Interest
Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks
Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC
Experience the untamed beauty of the wild horses of Shackleford Banks, a secluded barrier island within North Carolina's Cape Lookout National Seashore. Home to more than 100 free-roaming Banker ponies, these majestic animals are believed to be descendants of Spanish mustangs that arrived in the 16th century. Accessible only by boat or ferry from Beaufort or Harkers Island Visitor Center, visitors can observe these horses grazing on maritime grasses and traversing the dunes.
The island also offers pristine beaches renowned for shelling, where treasures such as Scotch bonnets and sand dollars await. To protect this delicate ecosystem, visitors are encouraged to maintain a respectful distance from the horses and follow the 7 Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles.
