06/01/2026
North Carolina’s wild horses of Corolla Beach are one of the most incredible sights in all of the Outer Banks area! Along the northern Currituck Banks, these famous horses still roam the sand, dunes, marsh grass, and quiet beach roads in one of the most beautiful coastal settings in the state. Believed to be descendants of Spanish mustangs brought to the New World in the 1500s, the Corolla herd is part of a rare Banker horse line that has survived for centuries on the barrier islands.
Some of the best places to spot them are along the more remote stretches north of Corolla, where the paved road ends and the beach becomes the road. This 4-wheel-drive area feels far more wild and open than the busier parts of the Outer Banks, with miles of sand, ocean views, dune grass, and beach homes tucked into the landscape. The horses are protected and managed by the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, whose mission is to conserve the herd roaming the northernmost Currituck Outer Banks. Nearby, you can also visit the red-brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the historic Whalehead Club, making this one of North Carolina’s most unforgettable beach areas to explore.
