Seeing the wild horses of Corolla is at the top of a lot of Outer Banks bucket lists, and for good reason. These Colonial Spanish mustangs have roamed the northern beaches for centuries, and watching them walk along the water at sunrise is something you don’t forget. From our condos at Milepost 9.9 in Kill Devil Hills, the drive to Corolla takes about 45 minutes, so it makes an easy, wonderful day trip. I’ve done it both ways, on a guided tour and driving out on my own, and here’s what I’d tell a friend.
My #1 tip: take a guided tour
I recommend a guided tour. It truly is the only way that is almost guaranteed to see the horses. The guides know the herd and the area, and the tours are very informative about the history of the horses. You will definitely learn something.
I have driven around looking for them myself and had success, but honestly, that comes down to luck. The bigger reason I recommend the tour is that driving on the sand has its own challenges, and they catch a lot of visitors off guard.
If you’re thinking about driving out yourself
- Four-wheel drive only. Currituck County says not to attempt the beach without 4WD. All-wheel drive is not recommended, and many vehicles today sit low to the ground, which makes it easy to get stuck.
- Air down your tires before you hit the sand. The county recommends about 20 PSI for SUVs and half-ton 4x4s. Then you have to air back up before driving on the highway again.
- Bring your own air pump. There are listed air-up stations, but the last time I went, the air at Historic Corolla Park wasn’t working, and the gas station’s air was closed too. Thankfully I had my own little pump, and I waited until my tires were full enough to drive safely to another station.
- Getting stuck is expensive. I’ve heard of towing costs as high as $600 or more. And here’s what they don’t tell you: they’ll pull you out of your spot, but they don’t escort you all the way out. If you get stuck again on the way back, you pay again.
- It’s not a paved road, but there are still rules. The speed limit is 35 mph, and 15 mph within 300 feet of people. There’s no parking in the first mile after the ramp, and in the warm months you need a county beach parking permit to park on the sand. There are no gas stations out there, so fill up first.
- Watch your wear and tear. Salt and sand are hard on a vehicle.
With a tour, all of that is someone else’s job, and you get to just look for horses.
A lucky encounter (but a rare one)
Recently one of our guests was determined to see the horses on her own. She set out walking the Corolla beach, which stretches for miles toward the Virginia line, knowing full well it was unlikely. Here’s part of the message she sent me:
“I decided to come out today and walk and walk and walk until I found some… knowing full well it was unlikely. So here I am minding my own business and a Jeep pulls up to me and said I have two horses following me… Dudes. DUDES. I never thought I’d see them!”
She moved out of the way and simply sat down and waited while the horses walked past. That’s exactly the right thing to do, and it was an amazing moment for her. But I want to be honest: this is a rarity. If seeing the horses is a must for your trip, book the tour.
Best time to see them
Get there right before sunrise. The light is beautiful, the beach is quiet, and there’s much less traffic on the drive up, so it really is about 45 minutes from Kill Devil Hills.
I’ve seen the horses on the open beach, walking right along the water’s edge, back over the dunes, and even hanging around the vacation homes in the 4x4 area. Keep your eyes open everywhere.
The rules: please keep them wild
Stay at least 50 feet away, always. It’s a Currituck County law, and it applies even if the horses walk toward you. Back away and give them room. Violations can bring a fine of up to $500 and a court appearance.
Never feed them. Feeding the horses is illegal. Their bodies are built for native grasses and plants, not our food. Even apples and carrots can kill them: a young colt choked to death on an apple in 2020, and others have died from colic after being fed.
Why it matters so much. If a horse gets used to people or food, or becomes sick or injured, it may have to be removed from the herd for its own safety, and once a horse is removed, it can never return to the beach. The herd is small, so every horse counts.
Drive carefully and slowly around them. Vehicles are one of the biggest dangers to the herd.
Make it a whole day trip
There’s plenty to do on the way up and back.
- Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Corolla. First lit in 1875, it was the last major brick lighthouse built on the Outer Banks, and it was left unpainted, so you’ll recognize its red brick right away. In season you can climb the 220 steps for a great view and wonderful pictures. The grounds are landscaped with native plants and are worth a stroll too.
- Shopping in Duck. I highly recommend stopping in Duck to shop and eat.
- Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, Duck. You can’t go wrong. The food has always been great, and the view of the sound is stunning.
- Bob’s Bait & Tackle, Duck. Stock up on supplies and get the latest fishing reports. You can also book a fishing trip there, whether sound, nearshore or offshore. The staff are knowledgeable and willing to help.
- Crabbing on the Duck boardwalk. Grab your crab pots and try the long soundside boardwalk in Duck, which has a few spots set aside for crabbing. I’ve caught crabs there myself.
Stay close to it all
Our two oceanfront condos, Turtle Tides and Starfish Wishes, are at Milepost 9.9 in Kill Devil Hills, right in the middle of the northern Outer Banks. You can catch the sunrise from your deck at home, or head north early for the horses and be back on the beach by afternoon. For more ideas, see our Area Guide & FAQ and my favorite places on Where to Eat.
Rules, permits, hours and prices can change. Please check with Currituck County, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and each business before you go.