The image of a wild horse prancing along the beach, mane flowing in the breeze, is instantly, iconically Outer Banks, something you can only see in Corolla.
If your family’s bucket list includes a one-of-a-kind wild horse sightseeing excursion on the Northern Outer Banks, look no further than Wild Horse Adventure Tours.
Seeing the wild horses of Corolla is part off-road adventure, part history lesson and part conservation story. Wild Horse Adventure Tours makes the experience accessible, safe and meaningful, combining expert guides, comfortable vehicles and a strong commitment to protecting the horses that draw visitors to this remote stretch of coastline.
When I spoke with Wild Horse Adventure Tours’ Executive Director Josh Bass, his enthusiasm was palpable, and it was clear that Wild Horse Adventure Tours is a top-notch horse tour outfitter.
But what is it about the wild horses themselves that draws people in and inspires them to help protect them?
The wild Banker horses are deeply tied to Outer Banks history and ecology. Spanish mustangs began arriving with explorers on the East Coast as early as the 1500s. Some horses reportedly swam ashore through stormy seas from shipwrecks. These horses have lived wild on the Northern Outer Banks ever since, evolving into a landrace breed known as Banker horses. They are a tangible, living connection to the past, one that is truly unique to this region.
Of course, horses living wild and free in 21st-century America is uncommon. Because of that, the Banker horses require occasional thoughtful human intervention to protect both their safety and their freedom. Wild Horse Adventure Tours works closely with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to protecting the herd and conserving its habitat.
“We’re really trying to help them with their mission to preserve the herd,” Bass says.
The company supports the Corolla Wild Horse Fund with monetary donations. So when you take a tour, you are not only creating a lasting family memory, but also directly supporting conservation efforts.
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund also makes emergency interventions when a horse is sick or injured, often because of human feeding or interactions. Wild Horse Adventure Tours makes sure to educate their guests that it is unlawful to feed the horses or get within 50 feet of them.
Wild Horse Adventure Tours owns acreage in horse-tour country at Swan Beach, which serves as a preservation area for horses and other wildlife. With exclusive transportation rights to this land, guests are able to view the horses entirely within their natural habitat.
Experiencing the wild horses of the Northern Outer Banks firsthand is a special family experience, one that becomes a cherished memory tied to history, beauty, place and conservation.
When you choose Wild Horse Adventure Tours, you’re riding in vehicles that are safely outfitted with seatbelts (and accommodate car seats for younger passengers) and are fully enclosed and comfortable. This means tours run in rain, wind or sunshine, keeping guests protected from the sometimes unpredictable Outer Banks weather.
The company uses four-wheel-drive Hummers, which have been custom outfitted for comfort, featuring wide seats, generous legroom, stadium-style seating and an upper glass windshield that allows for nearly 360-degree views. Each vehicle is also equipped with a sound system, allowing the experienced guides, many of whom return year after year, to tailor the tour to guests’ interests. Guides are extensively trained and share insights into the horses, their habitat and the area’s rich history.
Riding along long stretches of beach without paved roads feels like entering another world.
“It’s a wilder place,” Bass says.
Wild Horse Adventure Tours guides know where horses tend to roam at different times of day and in varying weather conditions. More than 100 horses live in the area, and in the spring, guests may even catch a glimpse of newborn foals.
Every tour is different. Some days the horses linger near the ocean to catch a breeze; other days they wander through the woods. Either way, guests are guaranteed a unique experience of this remarkable landscape.
Tours last two hours and can be reserved online or by phone. They do book up quickly, so planning ahead is recommended.
There are very few places left in our modern world that truly feel wild. When you have the opportunity to create meaningful family memories while experiencing the wild horses of Corolla and supporting their preservation, it’s a win all around. That’s what makes a day with Wild Horse Adventure Tours so special.
BOOK NOW
wildhorsetour.com
(252) 489-2020 / (800) 460-4136
610 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla
About the Author Heather Frese
Heather Frese fell in love with the Outer Banks when she was three years old. She grew up camping every summer on Hatteras Island, and her writing is deeply influenced by the history and wild beauty of the area. Her debut novel, The Baddest Girl on the Planet, won the Lee Smith Novel Prize and is set on Hatteras Island. 
