Finding Wild Horses in Missouri
Return to Finding Wild Horses here for tips on visiting the range and to find herds in other states
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Ozark National Scenic Riverways, near the town of Eminence, Missouri
(These herds are not BLM, NPS, or Forest Service)
About 50 wild horses roam around the hills and river valleys of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways near Eminence, Missouri. This is a popular family vacation spot that is known for its river recreation like canoeing, kayaking, and floating with the current. These horses are descendants of privately owned horses who were turned loose during the Great Depression nearly a century ago. Their coloring is predominantly gray and appaloosa, such that foals are born a dark brown color, sometimes with spotted blankets, and turn lighter as they age, showing mottled pink skin around their eyes and muzzles. There are also a few pintos and other solid colors among this population as well.
There are four small distinct herds that the local Missouri Wild Horse League identifies within the ONSR: Broadfoot, Shawnee Creek, Round Springs, and Rocky Creek.
Broadfoot: from highway 19 north of Eminence, take county dirt road 205, then the right fork onto county road 206, left along county road 203, and finally a left onto county road 235. This takes you from the ridge north of Eminence to an open field along the Current River that the horses frequent. This can be seen as an open space on Google Maps.
Shawnee Creek: From highway 106, turn onto county road 211, at the end of which sits the National Park Service's Shawnee Creek campground. There are a couple of open fields right near the campground that the horses use. You may also encounter this herd in the fields along highway V which connects highway 106 to the NPS Two Rivers campground.
Round Spring: The Round Springs herd can often be found in the vicinity of the Round Springs NPS campground, which is along highway 19 about 12 miles north of Eminence.
Rocky Creek: This is the most challenging to find herd, as they occupy a rather large wooded range where unintentional concealment is quite easy. To look for the Rocky Creek herd, head south on highway H from highway 106, and then pick up county road NN-522, following navigation towards Klepzig Mill. There is a whole network of small roads around here, including some shallow stream crossings so be aware if you have a low-clearance vehicle.
(The information on these herds generously provided by Jen Britton Photography)
(These herds are not BLM, NPS, or Forest Service)
About 50 wild horses roam around the hills and river valleys of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways near Eminence, Missouri. This is a popular family vacation spot that is known for its river recreation like canoeing, kayaking, and floating with the current. These horses are descendants of privately owned horses who were turned loose during the Great Depression nearly a century ago. Their coloring is predominantly gray and appaloosa, such that foals are born a dark brown color, sometimes with spotted blankets, and turn lighter as they age, showing mottled pink skin around their eyes and muzzles. There are also a few pintos and other solid colors among this population as well.
There are four small distinct herds that the local Missouri Wild Horse League identifies within the ONSR: Broadfoot, Shawnee Creek, Round Springs, and Rocky Creek.
Broadfoot: from highway 19 north of Eminence, take county dirt road 205, then the right fork onto county road 206, left along county road 203, and finally a left onto county road 235. This takes you from the ridge north of Eminence to an open field along the Current River that the horses frequent. This can be seen as an open space on Google Maps.
Shawnee Creek: From highway 106, turn onto county road 211, at the end of which sits the National Park Service's Shawnee Creek campground. There are a couple of open fields right near the campground that the horses use. You may also encounter this herd in the fields along highway V which connects highway 106 to the NPS Two Rivers campground.
Round Spring: The Round Springs herd can often be found in the vicinity of the Round Springs NPS campground, which is along highway 19 about 12 miles north of Eminence.
Rocky Creek: This is the most challenging to find herd, as they occupy a rather large wooded range where unintentional concealment is quite easy. To look for the Rocky Creek herd, head south on highway H from highway 106, and then pick up county road NN-522, following navigation towards Klepzig Mill. There is a whole network of small roads around here, including some shallow stream crossings so be aware if you have a low-clearance vehicle.
(The information on these herds generously provided by Jen Britton Photography)