"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 Bed and Breakfast 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

No exact matches found, but these alternatives could be just right

Recommended hotels in Shackleford Banks

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront

Atlantic Beach

Laura

includes taxes & fees

17 Jan - 18 Jan

Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing

Morehead City

John

includes taxes & fees

12 Jan - 13 Jan

Beaufort Hotel NC

Beaufort

elizabeth

includes taxes & fees

18 Jan - 19 Jan

Hampton Inn Morehead City

Morehead City

Tiffany

includes taxes & fees

23 Jan - 24 Jan

Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel

Atlantic Beach

Leslie

includes taxes & fees

12 Jan - 13 Jan

Hotel Alice At Atlantic Beach

Pine Knoll Shores

Richard

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Inlet Inn NC

Beaufort

Randall

includes taxes & fees

20 Jan - 21 Jan

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Morehead Cty by IHG

Morehead City

Jeff

includes taxes & fees

8 Feb - 9 Feb

Sand Dollar Motel

Atlantic Beach

Kristen

includes taxes & fees

12 Jan - 13 Jan

The Beacon

Salter Path

Evan

includes taxes & fees

12 Jan - 13 Jan

Beaufort Harbour Suites

Beaufort

David

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Garnet Inn & Suites, Morehead City near Atlantic Beach

Morehead City

Palm Suites

Atlantic Beach

William

includes taxes & fees

10 Feb - 11 Feb

'coastal Cozy' - Newport Home w/ Private Hot Tub

Newport

includes taxes & fees

12 Jan - 13 Jan

Econo Lodge Crystal Coast

Morehead City

Darian

includes taxes & fees

19 Jan - 20 Jan

View all properties

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

Top Shackleford Banks Hotel Reviews

Hampton Inn Morehead City

10/10 Excellent

"Older, but clean and comfy. "

Sand Dollar Motel

10/10 Excellent

"Don’t underrate this motel. I enjoy the service and the amenities are enough to do just about whatever you need. Downstairs provide plenty of space for sleeping and AC units in the rooms are perfect for the cold sleepers. Upstairs is spacious and worth the family stay with enough separation to enjoy a few days while yall explore the beach. I’ll keep coming"