In the tranquil waters surrounding Beaufort, North Carolina, lies Carrot Island—a hidden gem known for its captivating residents: the wild horses. These majestic creatures have roamed the island for centuries, captivating the hearts of locals and visitors alike. The Rachel Carson Reserve, where these horses live, is a pristine environment filled with tidal flats, marshes and maritime forest.

Carrot Island is one of my favorite coastal trails on the Crystal Coast. I can’t wait to get back to year after year! In this post, I’ll share how you can visit the wild horses of the Rachel Carson Reserve on Carrot Island!

The Rachel Carson Reserve 

The Rachel Carson Reserve, with its unaltered beauty and encounters with wild horses, is an amazing experience. Located along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, the Reserve provides a safe haven for these magnificent creatures to roam. It includes a series of islands including Carrot Island, Town Marsh, Bird Shoal and Horse Island.

These narrow islands help to protect downtown Beaufort from storms and is where many rivers meet the ocean. This brackish water means that the islands are home to different species of plants and birds! It encourages lots of juvenile fish and invertebrates to call it home. The Rachel Carson Reserve is an amazing place to visit; not just because of the wild horses, but also thanks to the diverse array of landscapes and animals you can see!

History of the Wild Horses

The wild horses of Carrot Island are living relics, with lineage tracing back to the early settlers of Beaufort. When Beaufort was a new community, the residents of the town would allow their livestock, including horses, to graze on the shores of Carrot Island. After the death of one of the residents in the 1940’s, his horses were left on the shore. Over the decades they have become a wild herd. When the land was donated to the Rachel Carson Reserve in the 1980’s, they discussed removing the horses. However, the people of the area decided that they were an important cultural resource to the island.

These resilient creatures embody the spirit of the Outer Banks; celebrating the area’s history and the relationship between humans and our environment. Today, about 30 horses remain on the island as a wild herd. They survive by eating the marsh grass and digging for freshwater. The wild herd is absolutely breathtaking to visit! When hiking the trails of the Rachel Carson Reserve always keep a respectful distance. Always stay at least 50 feet away from the horses. Please help to maintain their wild nature and admire them from afar!

Getting to the Rachel Carson Reserve

The Rachel Carson Reserve can be accessed only via boat from various points, such as Harker’s Island and Beaufort. You can hire a charter from a local ferry vendor, take a private vessel, or kayak to the barrier island. Local charters can be easily booked in downtown Beaufort. There are numerous operators that will take you to the island for less that $20. Island Ferry Adventures is one of the operators that runs charters to the islands multiple times throughout the day. We have used them many times and like the fact that they offer multiple drop off and pickup times. Just be sure to ensure that you make reservations in advance during peak season.

If you’re planning on taking a private boat, you can launch from the NC Wildlife Boating Access at 2370 Lennoxville Road in Beaufort, NC. There are also numerous public kayak launches along the Beaufort waterfront, if you’re bringing your own. For rental kayaks checkout Beaufort Paddle– it’s conveniently located a short paddle away from Carrot Island! The NC Reserve even offers free field trips to the island in the summer months on select dates! It’s a great activity to do with kids and is an excellent guided tour of the island!

The Right Time to Visit Carrot Island

Timing is crucial when visiting the Rachel Carson Reserve. You’ll want to plan your visit during low tide because the Outer Loop Trail and Bird Shoal are only accessible then. Additionally, early mornings and late afternoons often provide the best lighting for photography. I prefer these times of day because they are often quieter and make it easier to observe the horses’ natural behaviors.

The wild horses of the Rachel Carson Reserve can be viewed year round. As long as you prepare for the weather you have a chance of seeing these magnificent horses! Since many species of bird feed and nest on the island, you may also want to plan your visit based on the birds. In the summer, you’ll find Wilson’s plovers; while in the winter months, you can see Piping plovers. In the spring, Egret and Heron nest on the middle marsh. There is truly no wrong time to visit the Rachel Carson Reserve!

The Trails at the Rachel Carson Reserve

I like to enter Carrot Island on the west end of the Island near the Inlet. This access, at the west end of Town Marsh, is where you can easily access the two nature trails. The Outer Loop trail (the blue trail) is a 1.1 mile trail accessible only at low tide. While the Inner loop (the green trail) is a 0.9 mile trail that traverses the maritime forest. Both trails are relatively easy to hike but provide great views of the diverse coastal environments. The trails intersect at Bird Shoal, which includes about 1.5 miles of beach that you can stroll. 

Both trailheads begin near a small beach on Taylors Creek. The beach has great views of downtown Beaufort and is an excellent place to search for hermit crabs! Make sure to spend some time exploring and looking for critters that may be floating in the shallow waters like cannonball jellyfish! (Don’t worry they don’t sting). I suggest following the outer loop trail over to Bird Shoal and back, especially in the summer. The maritime forest of the Inner Loop can be overgrown and a haven for mosquitos and ticks in the summer.

The Outer Loop Trail

When you reach the sign welcoming you to the Reserve, follow the trail to the left. You’ll pass over the salt marsh where you’re likely to see hundreds of fiddler crabs scurrying along the mud flats. Since this trail passes over the marsh, plan ahead to get muddy and remember to visit at low tide! As you continue through the grass, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the wild horses! They love to feed on the cord grass! I’ve often spotted them in this area of the trail! Remember to always enjoy them from a 50 foot distance! We have even had to take different paths in the past since they were standing so close to the trail!

After spending time in the marsh, you’ll follow the trail to the right over the dredge spoils. Be especially careful in this area to stay on the trail, especially if you’re hiking with your dog. There are many prickly pear cacti on the sand dunes! If you’re lucky you may even spot fox, rabbits, or raccoons on this part of the trail.

Bird Shoal

After crossing over the dunes, you’ll find your way to the mud flats. They are a great place to spend some time looking for snails and other small invertebrates. Continue walking around the dunes and towards the ocean until you meet the beach. The waters here are typically calm and a great place for swimming. Bird Shoal is also a great place to search for shells like sand dollars!

There are miles of beach and you could easily spend an afternoon strolling and picking up shells. This beach is also a favorite of nesting turtles! A few years ago we even saw a sea turtle shell. (It is illegal to take turtle shells since they’re endangered but it was cool to take some pictures of)! After spending some time on the beach, you will retrace your steps back to the trailhead. You can follow the inner loop left, towards the Maritime forest; or retrace your steps back the way you came towards the Outer Loop Trail.

The Essential Supplies

Prepare for your visit by packing essential supplies like sunscreen and plenty of water since there are no facilities on the island. Also, make sure you have insect repellent, especially in the summer. (I really love this all natural insect repellent) I highly recommend closed toed shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy for this hike! The mud flats can be very muddy, and a good pair of boots can make all the difference. My go to shoes for the Rachel Carson Reserve are my Xtra Tuff Boots!

We typically pack a backpack with a picnic lunch and a bag for shells and trash. I also highly recommend bringing the “good camera” for this hike to allow you to capture pictures of the wildlife from a safe distance. Carrot Island’s wild horses provide a captivating subject for photographers with stunning backdrops of the coastal landscape. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to get an amazing shot- it is a true photographer’s paradise!

After Your Visit

Visiting the Rachel Carson Reserve is not only an opportunity to see the wild horses, but also to learn about the rich coastal ecosystem. Take the time to appreciate the diverse flora and fauna, including the marshes, shorebirds, and other wildlife that call the reserve their home. After your trip to Carrot Island, make sure to visit Beaufort! It is one of my favorite towns on the Crystal Coast! (Read this post for all the things you’ll love about Beaufort!) 

A visit to Carrot Island provides an opportunity to witness the majestic wild horses of the Rachel Carson Reserve in their natural habitat, a living testament to the history, beauty, and preservation efforts in Beaufort, NC. 

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