3 Wild Horse Herds You Must Visit
Viewing wild horses is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you won't soon forget. Here are three wild horse herds that are more easily accessible than others, offering unforgettable experiences for wildlife enthusiasts!
The Onaqui Wild Horses
The Onaqui Herd Management Area encompasses the Onaqui foothills between Rush Valley and Vernon, stretching about 30 miles southwestward to include the Simpson Mountains. The Onaqui herd consists of around 200 horses, providing the most easily accessible and reliable viewing opportunities of any Utah herd!
To view the wild horses: From Salt Lake City, take I-80 west to Exit 77, Dugway/Rowley. Travel south on Hwy 196 for approximately 25 miles to Dugway, then continue south on the dirt road between the LDS church and the Dugway fence. Wild horses from the Onaqui Herd can usually be viewed on either side of this road from Dugway south to the intersection with the Pony Express Road. Horses may also be seen along the Pony Express Road west to Simpson Springs.
The Virginia Range Wild Horses
Nevada is home to nearly half of the nation's free-roaming horse population. Many of these horses are part of the Virginia Range herd, which occupies a region in the western part of the state.
According to VisitReno.com, the historic Virginia Range herd, over 1,400 strong, can be found living wild and free between Virginia City, Reno, Dayton, and Carson City. When hiking the desert trails east of Reno or taking shade under a pinyon pine atop the Virginia Range, you’re likely to spot a group of young bachelors play-fighting as they grow to be wild stallions. Listen carefully, and you might hear a wild mare calling out to her adventurous foal. Photographic opportunities are endless, especially if you’re lucky enough to find the herd enjoying a hidden watering hole.
The McCullough Peaks Wild Horses
You will be able to see a diversity of coat colors in the McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area (HMA) east of Cody, Wyoming. Bay, brown, black, sorrel, chestnut, white, buckskin, gray, palomino, and blue, red, and strawberry roans, as well as patterns such as piebald and skewbald, are found in the McCullough Peaks wild horses.
To view the wild horses, travel east from Cody on Highway 14-16-20 to mile marker 72 (about 18 miles). On the left, you will see a gate; horses are often in this area, and you can enter if you choose. If not, continue to near mile marker 74, where you will see a kiosk and the Whistle Creek road sign on your left; enter, proceed to pipeline marker 75 (about 6 miles), and enjoy the remarkable panoramic view of the badlands. Be sure to bring your binoculars and always look on both sides of the roads for both the mustangs and other wildlife!