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    Ocracoke Ponies and Pen

    4.5 (13 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Banker pony under the care of OBX Forever
    Suzanne H.

    Of course if I'm at the beach and I see horses around, I'm going to shout out "horses" and we'll have to stop! This trip was no different with a visit to the Ocracoke Ponies Pen. This is where the Banker ponies who can no longer thrive in the wild come for retirement. Typically they need medical intervention which requires human contact. After their treatment, they're no longer as leery of people and can't survive in the wild. You can do your part to help by keeping your distance from the ponies in the wild...at least 50ft...and do not feed them no matter how tempting! You can also adopt a pony to help support their lifelong care which can be 20-30years on the Banks.

    Courtney K.

    Bottom Line: A nice piece of Ocracoke Island history but it's unlikely you'll have any close encounters with the ponies. The wild ponies (actually full grown horses with unique physical features) of Ocracoke Island are believed to have arrived on the island in the 1500s or 1600s when European explorers were shipwrecked off the coast. The lineage of these ponies significantly predates the completion of the Ocracoke lighthouse in 1822 and the death of Blackbeard in 1718. Furthermore, the ponies have served as an integral part of developing the island such as being used by the Lifesaving Service to drag boats to sea and by colonists to haul building materials. Given the historical significance of the ponies and their ancestors I am glad they can be visited. However, the only visitation is from quite a distance behind a double fence. I supplemented my in person visit but watching a video on YouTube about the National Park Service's care of the horses which I found to be informative.

    Christopher C.

    Eh, I'm kind of with Emily R. on this one. If you don't do your homework you might think this is like going to Assateague or possibly to Carova where you can walk/drive amongst the horses except this spot is not like either of the above examples. As other reviewers have mentioned, here all the horses are behind a double layer of fencing so while you could possibly see a couple of them it will only be at a considerable distance and you could also come here and see nothing or only parts of a few as there are a lot of hiding places. Finding the pen area is fairly simple. Assuming that you're getting off of the Hatteras ferry, you simply go down 12 about six miles and there is a small NPS style sign on side of the road maybe 1/4 mile before the parking area. Of course parking in the off season is no question easier then what it's like during summer but I will mention that even though it was barely over twenty degrees with a gusting wind, the parking lot by the pens was full. If that happens you can park across the road in the other small lot that is also for beach access. The day we came it was full on winter with the wind chills in the upper teens and there were only two of the horses visible from the elevated viewing platform/the road. The rest I assume had the common sense to either hide in the trees/bushes/shrubs or they were inside one the visible enclosures. We briefly walked the short path out to the other viewing area and saw squat over there. No biggie, I get it. It was really F-ing cold. If I were a horse I wouldn't be standing out in an open field either unless there were a compelling reason like a giant block of hay or maybe a winning scratch off lottery ticket. While the placards on site give a little bit of history about the penning of the horses in the late 50's-early 60's, we found out a bit more from the woman at the NPS visitor center who said that one ranger and a team of volunteers are responsible for the animals primary well being and that currently they are down to less than twenty ponies. This is a neat and slightly unexpected diversion but unless there are a lot of horses out to view, and to a degree even then I really wouldn't consider this to be anything past a ten to fifteen minute pit stop on your way to the other side of the island or when heading back to the ferry, this is a stop that could either be skipped or at the very least pencil it in for nothing more than a brief tangent.

    Got pics of ponies!!!!
    Sharyl G.

    What a wonderfully peaceful place to visit! Not my first time but first time to see ponies! Apparently they've been naughty and so they're confined to their pen! Okay

    Charlie F.

    from the website: "In 1959, they (National Park Service) developed the Ocracoke Pony Pens, a 180-acre pasture area that today houses about 24 ponies. Several ponies are rotated up to the front pasture so that visitors can always get a look at these unusual equines. The Ocracoke ponies have distinctive physical characteristics: five lumbar vertebrae instead of the six found in most horses, 17 ribs instead of 18 and a unique shape, posture, color, size and weight." There is a elevated viewing platform to see the ponies on display. If you are patient enough the ponies may graze closer to the viewing area. There is a double fence to keep people away from the ponies, and several signs reminding you not to attempt to feed or pet the animals. There is also a path to a second viewing area for another part of the pasture. This is a free attraction. There is a donation box if you would like to assist in the care of these unique animals. One important bit of advise: HAVE BUG REPELLENT - the mosquitoes are ginormous and have a heckuva appetite for YOU.

    Beautiful pony

    If you want to see banker horses, here's your chance. It's not much, but it is nice to get out and se them up close.

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    Review Highlights - Ocracoke Ponies and Pen

    from the website: "In 1959, they (National Park Service) developed the Ocracoke Pony Pens, a 180-acre pasture area that today houses about 24 ponies.

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    Ocracoke Day Use Area

    Ocracoke Day Use Area

    3.3(3 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    We decided to take a day trip on the free ferry to Ocracoke while staying in the Outer Banks…read more There isn't a TON to do on this island, so we decided to stop here to check out the beach. I LOVE that they have a nice walkway to the beach, makes it easier than having to trudge through the sand with a cooler. Also great that they have bathrooms on premise as I despise port-a-potties, sadly it was all closed during the government shut down. The parking lot is a little bit on the small side, so it might be best to try to arrive earlier in the day to secure parking. I spotted a warning sign about rip currents and I think it's great that they have this! Be careful, my friends on past OBX trips had some scary situations when they were caught in the dangerous rip tides. The beach here is beautiful and tranquil. It was cold when we visited in December, but I could see this as an amazing place to go for a stroll by the water. If you have some time to kill before you board the ferry back to the mainland, this is a nice place to stop. If you are here in the summer, pack a lunch and come here for the day.

    Bottom Line: A nicely maintained day use area for people of all abilities to enjoy the pristine…read moreOcracoke Beach. The Ocracoke Day Use Area is a specific plot of land and accompanying facilities on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. "Ocracoke Day Use Area" is the official name given to this public space by the National Park Service who maintains and operates this area. In the summer months the Ocracoke Day Use Area is a popular destination for those vacationing on Ocracoke Island and wanting to feel the sand between their toes or take a dip in the Atlantic. I imagine this beach access is popular because it has a large parking lot and it is the closest developed beach access to Ocracoke Village. In addition to a paved parking lot, the Ocracoke Day Use Area has the following amenities: - changing rooms - bathrooms - outdoor shows - handicap accessible bathrooms - beach access/boardwalk - bike rack Speaking of accessibility, a few years ago the NPS upgraded the beach access/boardwalk at this location. The boardwalk is lengthy but it has a gentle slope to be compliant with the Architectural Barriers Act. (I suspect that also means it is ADA compliant.) The boardwalk divides around the dune line and one section goes to a lovely scenic overlook while the other section descends onto the beach. So even if you're not up for getting sandy, you can still enjoy the beach. There are various places on Ocracoke Island to access the beach via motor vehicle but I don't think this is one of them. You'll need a permit which can be purchased at the Ocracoke Visitors Center. And I believe you can also rent beach wheelchairs there too.

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    Ocracoke Day Use Area
    Ocracoke Day Use Area - Beach rules.

    Beach rules.

    Ocracoke Day Use Area

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    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse - Ocracoke Island Light Station

    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

    4.2(53 reviews)
    7.0 mi

    This was the number one thing I wanted to see on Ocracoke and now that I've seen it, I'm happy! I…read morelove lighthouses, having visited 128 lighthouses across the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland and even a lightboat in Sweden. Do lighthouses in Oklahoma (Lake Hefner), West Virginia (Summersville) and Vermont (Shelburne) count? They do for me! Ocracoka's lighthouse is easy to access with parking lots nearby and it's maybe a one mile walk from the ferry terminal. It was built in 1823 by Massachusetts builder Noah Porter and is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest still standing in the state. It was constructed to guide ships safely through the treacherous Ocracoke Inlet into Pamlico Sound, a vital route for maritime trade and military supply lines. Standing 75 feet tall with a conical brick structure, the lighthouse was automated in 1955, and while visitors can access the base during summer months, the tower itself is not open for climbing. Its enduring presence and simple elegance make it one of the most beloved landmarks on the Outer Banks. [Review 775 of 2025 - 4207 in North Carolina - 24335 overall]

    Well it's another lighthouse. There is free parking a block down, or park at the church just past…read morethe lighthouse for a donation. There is a boardwalk to the lighthouse that keeps your feet dry. Can't climb the stairs. Basically this is a 5 min visit, take some pics, read the history sign, then leave. I guess once the light keepers house is done with restoration there may be a museum to see?

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    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse
    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse
    Ocracoke Island Lighthouse - Ocracoke Island Light Station

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    Ocracoke Island Light Station

    British Cemetery - British Cemetery, Ocracoka

    British Cemetery

    4.5(10 reviews)
    6.5 mi

    On Ocracoke Island, the British Cemetery commemorates four British Royal Navy sailors who lost…read moretheir lives on May 11, 1942, when German U-boat 558 attacked their ship, the HMT Bedfordshire. Only four remains were found when the ship sank off the coast of North Carolina while searching for enemy submarines; they washed up close to the settlement. Residents of Ocracoke gave a tiny piece of land for their burial as a token of appreciation and respect; this area is now permanently leased to the British Commonwealth, making it, metaphorically, British soil. Each year on the anniversary of the sinking, a memorial ceremony is held with representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, British Royal Navy, and Canadian forces, honoring the sacrifice of these men who died defending American shores. [Review 778 of 2025 - 4210 in North Carolina - 24338 overall]

    There are several British Cemeteries at Outer Bank. There is one at Buxton. The most visible one is…read morelocated at Ocracoke. The cemetery is close to the local island graveyard plot. It is easy to find going towards the ferry and the is a road call British Cemetery Road. I have a a lot of respect to the seaman from Britain to protect our shore during the World War II. The allies force has come to here to fight the German U boat submarine. The German U boat lurk to the coastline of North Carolina and wait to attack the US. This has been protect by British Navy. Some has lost their live during this conflict. On May 12, 1942, another attack on a British ship would occur off the coastline. This time an attack was waged the HMS Bedfordshire. The entire crew was lost and only four bodies are found. These seaman was later burry in the island. The US coast guard has memorial service every year to remember the courage seaman. There are people putting their coin on top of the cross. A coin left on a headstone let's the deceased soldier's family know that somebody stopped by to pay their respect. Leaving a penny means you visited. A nickel means that you and the deceased soldier trained at boot camp together. If you served with the soldier, you leave a dime

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    British Cemetery - British Cemetery, Ocracoka

    British Cemetery, Ocracoka

    British Cemetery - British Cemetery, Ocracoka

    British Cemetery, Ocracoka

    British Cemetery - British Cemetery, Ocracoka

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    British Cemetery, Ocracoka

    Ocracoke Ponies and Pen - parks - Updated May 2026

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