"Beauty and Beast"

Image of wild horses captured at Shackleford Banks in North Carolina during an overnight camping trip at nearby Cape Lookout Island. To get to this island, you have to take a ferry from Harkers Island (or take your own boat to the island if you have/rent one). The ferry is pretty reasonable and in the summer, they operate relatively long hours. I'd advise going early before the sun is too high and on days that the humidity is low, as there is no shade on the island whatsoever. Carry plenty of water with you in any case, as the island is very long and you might have to walk a fair distance before you come across the wild horses.

Other than the horses, there's really nothing else on this island. There is wild camping permitted on the island, so you could make it an overnight trip and have the ferry pick you up the following day. If so, carry food and anything else you might need as there are no facilities on the island. Also carry bug spray as the no see ums will be out in murderous numbers at sundown. The Harkers Ferry also offers options to combine a trip to Cape Lookout and to Shackleford Banks, so you could cover two locations in one trip.

I've heard this place can have magical sunsets/sunrises. On this trip, didn't have much luck with either. But was lucky to stumble across these horses just chilling in the mid morning sun. If you do visit the island, please exercise caution as these horses are wild. They are used to seeing humans around but getting close to them or feeding them is not advisable. This image was taken with a telephoto lens from quite some distance away. Also watch out for cacti - they are around and you run into em when you least expect em.

Thank you for stopping by.

#NC #USA #Horses #WildHorses #ShacklefordBanks #colorful #blue #camp #weekend #bestof5 #hiking

Search Apartments in Shackleford Banks

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Next weekend

In two weeks

In one month

In two months

Find holiday rentals that suit your style

Apartments

Aparthotels

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Top Shackleford Banks Hotel Reviews

Beaufort Hotel NC

10/10 Excellent

"We had an event in the ballroom and everything about this hotel was excellent "

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Morehead Cty by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"This was a first time trip here. The light didn't work above the headrest or the closet. There was an inch of dust on the tv arm, where you move it back and forth on the wall. Hard water growth in the shower head. Other than that everything overall was great. "

Atlantic Beach Resort, a Ramada by Wyndham

10/10 Excellent

"I had a great stay!! The staff were very friendly and helpful. They stayed in contact throughout our stay. I loved having beach access so close which was one reason I chose to stay at this resort. The accommodations were tidy and spacious. The beds were very comfortable as well and having two bathrooms was also a plus!! Having a full kitchen also came in handy as we cooked Christmas dinner for our family. I would definitely stay here again."