Wild horses galloping across a rugged landscape will forever be an iconic image of the American spirit…and it’s an experience that hasn’t completely been lost. Yet. Here are ten great places where you can still see wild horses in the United States.
Assateague and Chincoteague Islands (Virginia and Maryland)
Perhaps the most famous thanks to Marguerite Henry’s book Misty of Chincoteague, the islands host a herd of wild ponies that can often be found frequenting the beach. Once a year the ponies are rounded up on Assateague Island and moved across the water to Chincoteague Island (yes, they swim!) where a portion of foals are sold off to the public to help maintain the herd size. If you can, visit during the Pony Swim for a fun, festive atmosphere and a sight you won’t see anywhere else.
Outer Banks (North Carolina)
For more seaside wild horses, check out the wild herds in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The majority of the horses are located in Corolla and Shackleford Banks, though there is a small group near Orcacoke Island as well. (Because they are located near a busy highway, the Orcacoke Island horses are not fully free roaming and are housed in a large enclosure for their safety.)
Pryor Mountains and Bighorn Canyon (Montana and Wyoming)
The Pryor Mountains and nearby Bighorn Canyon are home to several herds of wild horses descended from Spanish stock. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center located in Lowell, WY just outside the Pryor Mountain Horse Management Area. There you can learn about the history of the horses and the efforts being made to preserve the horses and their home. (They can also give you tips on the most likely areas to view the herds on your own or arrange a guided tour.)
Tonto National Forest (Arizona)
Tonto National Forest is home to the Salt River herd. These horses, which were recently threatened with removal, often linger along the water’s edge providing great views to those kayaking or tubing along the river.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)
As one of the Presidents to make the biggest impact in conservations efforts still in use today, I expect Teddy Roosevelt would be pleased to know that wild horses still roam the landscape of his namesake National Park. There are multiple free-roaming bands whose members are well documented by the North Dakota Badlands Horse Registry.
Steens Mountain Wilderness Area (Oregon)
The Steens Mountain Wilderness Area is home to some of the most beautiful of the mustangs…the Kiger. Descended from Spanish stock, these horses retain many of the baroque characteristics of their ancestors. Remember the movie “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron”? The real-life horse model behind Spirit was a Kiger mustang named Donner. You can venture out to see the Steens Mountain wild horses on your own…or consider heading out to see the herd on horseback with a guided tour from Steens Mountain Guest Ranch.
Dugway (Utah)
The Onaqui Mountains Herd Management Area near Dugway, UT is home to a large population of wild horses. One of the easiest and most reliable ways to see the horses is with an easy drive along the historic (gravel) Pony Express Road. During your drive, you can also visit monuments marking the locations of old Pony Express stops. Detailed information on the route can be found here thanks to Wild Horse Tourist. Or if you don’t want to head out on your own, try a guided photography tour by Wild Horse Photo Safaris.
Virginia Range (Nevada)
Meet the horses that inspired Wild Horse Annie to lobby for protection of America’s wild horses. Her work helped eventually produce the Free-Roaming Wild Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which helps protect wild equines even today. The Virginia Range was also the location of the 1961 Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe movie, “The Misfits.”
Cumberland Island (Georgia)
Related to more modern domestic breeds such as Tennessee Walkers, Arabians, and Paso Finos, these feral horses are likely the descendants of escaped saddle and cart horses since the mid-1700s. This herd is one of the few in the US that is not managed in any form. Access to the island is via boat only.
Sand Wash Basin (Colorado)
Home to the iconic stallion, Picasso, Sand Wash Basin offers viewing of wild horses and other wildlife (antelope…burrowing owls…*rattlesnakes!*….) in a high desert setting. Roads are poorly maintained and require high clearance and four wheel drive capabilities, but horses can often be spotted from the loop roads through the herd management area.
Bonus: Burros!!!
It wouldn’t be fair to skip over the horse’s incredible equine cousin…the burro! Here are two places you can see free-roaming burros in the United States.
Oatman (Arizona)
Descendants of the burros once used by miners in the area, these feral burros have made themselves at home in this small town along Route 66. A visit to Oatman, AZ, is a step into the past…and you’re pretty much guaranteed to run into a few burros along the way.
Wild Burro Trail (Arizona)
Not far outside Phoenix, AZ, you can hike the scenic desert Wild Burro Trail…and possibly catch a glimpse of the wild burro herds that frequent this area.
