You May Encounter Some of Missouri’s Wild Horses While Camping

It might surprise you to know that there are wild horses roaming certain areas in the Show-me state. Their numbers are controlled, but they aren’t fenced in.

Wild Horses Roam Through Southeastern Missouri Areas

Wild horses are definitely roaming parts of southeast Missouri in the area including Mark Twain National Forest and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Region. A Redditor was recently surprised by a few of them wandering through their campground. Echo Bluff State Park seems to be an area that they move through regularly.

Echo Bluff Park Lodge

Float trips are also an activity that provides opportunity to view at least part of the Missouri wild horse herd as several commenters shared stories of up-close viewing as the horses drank from the river. The Current River, Jacks Fork, Sinking Creek and Round Spring were all mentioned as places where campers, kayakers and canoers encountered the horses.

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While “wild” is the proper term, the herd is accustomed to humans and sometimes will engage with people. So, there is some level of domestication. So, while your mere presence will not spook them in general, your behavior may. Remember you are visiting in their homeland, take your cues for engagement by deferring to them.