Guided 4x4 tours onto the beach to see Corolla's wild Spanish mustangs in their own territory
Back Country Safari Horse Tours operates out of Corolla's Light Town Center on Austin St, running guided 4x4 tours onto the beach north of town to see the wild Spanish mustangs that call this stretch of the Outer Banks home. Past the point where the paved road ends, the only way in is by driving on the open sand — a real 4x4-only area, not a metaphor — and this outfit specializes in getting visitors out there without needing their own truck.
The horses roaming Corolla's northern beaches are feral descendants of Spanish mustangs believed to have arrived with early colonial settlers centuries ago. They're wild animals, not tourism props, and their range is managed and protected by the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, which keeps a legal buffer distance between people and horses. A guided tour with an experienced local operator is a sensible way to see them without crowding them or getting a rental vehicle stuck in soft sand.
Worth booking ahead during peak summer season, when demand for wild horse tours runs highest.
874 reviews
a month ago
Our tour guide was Gary. I loved his sense of humor, his dry jokes, and his charm. He was very knowledgeable about the area and where to find horses. The tour started promptly and we were back to the parking lot right on time. We had a wonderful time with him. He offered to take a picture of us and my husband said, "Only if you're in it." He snapped a selfie of us. When we got back to the house, I realized what he did. 🤣 Hilarious!
6 months ago
Great tour of the beach. Saw 7 horses today. Our tour guide was Gary and he was amazing. Super friendly and fun. It was great having such an experienced guide. It was a very cold day, and he shared that we may not see many horses, but we got lucky and saw some beautiful horses.
3 months ago
Emory was a fantastic tour guide, knowledgeable, witty, and very respectful! Our group was aged from 8 to 66 and each of us enjoyed it equally! The views were phenomenal! Seeing the first group of horses close to the ocean was really cool! This is definitely something I would do again!
3 months ago
If you're considering a tour with Back Country Safari Horse Tours, stop considering and just book it. This was easily one of the best country safari horse tours I have ever been on, even if it also happens to be the only one I have ever been on. We started bright and early in the morning with 10 out of 11 people making the reservation. As for participant number 11? Hungover? Lost? Still asleep? Trapped in an existential crisis over an early morning wake up call? We may never know. Our guide, Tricia, was absolutely fantastic. She was kind, fun, knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly accommodating to our group. Her knowledge of the horses, local history, and the wild mustangs was impressive. And this is coming from someone who studied Environmental Studies with a concentration in Conservation Biology at a pretty respectable college. In other words, I like to think I know a thing or two about nature, but Tricia was the real expert. Off we went on our adventure. Certain members of the group looked grouchy. Not going to say who. The coffee had not yet kicked in, smiles were in short supply, and there were a few expressions that made me fear for my life. Fortunately, all signs of grumpiness disappeared once we got moving. What felt like a little over two hours flew by because it was such an incredible experience. The real highlight was the ride itself. There is something special about cruising along the beach with the warmth of the morning sun on your face, the cool ocean breeze rolling in, the smell of saltwater in the air, and the constant sound of waves breaking along the shoreline. We traveled over dunes, along stretches of pristine beach, and through amazing scenery. At times it felt like we had been transported into another world. Honestly, it felt a bit like an adventure in Jurassic Park, except instead of dinosaurs, there were horses, which is probably better for everyone's long term survival. The wild mustangs were an awesome bonus. We spotted five of them relaxing near the shoreline without a care in the world. The stallion was walking behind his harem with a level of confidence and swagger that can only be described as legendary. IKYK. We also saw another horse casually munching vegetation in front of someone's house, seemingly unbothered by anything life could throw at it. Later, we spotted a few more horses standing atop the dunes like they were posing for a wildlife documentary. They were absolutely magnificent. By the end of the tour, I was seriously considering quitting my job and asking Tricia if she needed an apprentice. If she lets me camp on the beach for free, I am willing to work for pennies on the dollar. All jokes aside, our group learned so much, had an amazing time, and made memories we will be talking about for years. This was a truly unforgettable experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a little adventure. Whether you are young, old, a nature enthusiast, or someone who just wants to experience a unique side of the Outer Banks, this tour is absolutely worth it. Five stars. Incredible scenery, amazing wildlife, an outstanding guide, and an experience I will never forget.
6 months ago
Amazing tour through Corolla and the wild horse beach. The tour guide was very knowledgeable of the area and an amazing driver. Highly recommend this tour. I would recommend going in the warm summer months to see the horses, we only saw on this March tour.