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Cape Lookout National Seashore
Watching horses on Shackleford Banks

Horse Sense and Survival

Horse Watching on Shackleford Banks at Cape Lookout National Seashore in 2009

Join a Park Ranger for a glimpse into the world of the wild horses of Shackleford Banks.

Reservations & information: Cape Lookout (252) 728-2250 ext. 3001 and by e-mail. Call for more complete driving directions, a park site bulletin with a map, and answers to your questions.

Reservation Required with Cape Lookout National Seashore. The park will make your ferry reservation for you. Ferry fees will be collected by the ferry service immediately before or after your trip. Fees are priced per round trip. A limited number of spaces are available. Please be on time.

Private Boat Transportation: If you have your own boat, there is no charge for the program. Be sure to note the Shackleford Banks meeting time & location for your trip. You must have a reservation with Cape Lookout National Seashore to participate.

Waiting Lists are kept - and used. If you have a reservation and cannot participate, please call as early as possible so someone else can have your spot.

Young People under 10 or 12 may get bored with our long periods of standing and watching and may need you to take them exploring on their own.

Walking Shoes: Be prepared to walk through deep sand & wet marshes and climb dune hills. The horses roam far and wide and so we'll be walking to find them.

Weather: No rain dates are scheduled; we plan to go unless the weather is too bad to boat out. You may call Cape Lookout National Seashore before 4:30 p.m. the day before your trip if the weather is chancy. In summer, be prepared for very high heat indexes -- dress in loose fitting clothes and bring extra water.

Staying past the program end or leaving early is possible; arrange your pickup time with your ferry operator.

Remember to bring:

  • lunch & snacks
  • water; drinks in a re-closable bottle
  • hat
  • sunscreen
  • bug repellent
  • rain jacket (also for spray in the boat)
  • binoculars
  • camera, telephoto lens desirable
  • daypack/bag to carry these items (hard sided coolers are too heavy to carry)
  • sturdy walking shoes -- will get wet & dirty in the boat and/or in the marsh
Aerial view of Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks  

Did You Know?
Barrier islands, such as those of Cape Lookout National Seashore, are piles of sand. As storms come up from the ocean the beaches are constantly rearranged.

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Last Updated: March 06, 2009 at 10:45 EST