"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

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Top Shackleford Banks Hotel Reviews

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. "

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing

10/10 Excellent

"I’ve actually stayed here before and it was around the Christmas holiday several years ago. This time I was on the seventh floor and I really enjoyed the view. The sunrise on Christmas morning was spectacular. The room was clean and very spacious. The fact that I got upgraded to a two bedroom suite was the icing on the cake! I had invited my daughter and her three children over for Christmas Eve dinner and it was so nice to be able to cook food and serve food for everyone without being cramped or crowded. It was just wonderful and I look forward to doing that perhaps for Christmas 2026 as well !!"

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."