Can You Go On Wild Horse Island?

The island’s scenic shoreline is a favorite of hikers, boaters, swimmers and sailboat enthusiasts. Boat access is required to reach the island. The park does not provide transportation to Wild Horse Island. This is a day-use only park; camping is prohibited.

Can you hike on Wild Horse Island?

The island has four miles of interconnected hiking trails, but visitors are free to explore off-trail as well. Try and catch your dinner! Fishing is allowed with tribal & state fishing licenses. Check out the wildlife including bighorn sheep, mule deer, songbirds, waterfowl, bald eagles, falcons and wild horses.

Is Wild Horse Island worth it?

With extensive trails, rare and beautiful plants, and a scenic shoreline, the 2,200-acre island is a must-visit for visitors to the Flathead Valley. Montana may be most known for nearby Glacier National Park, but Wild Horse Island is proof that there’s much more in the state deserving of your vacation time.

Who lives on Wild Horse Island?

Wild Horse Island can be viewed across the expanse of the lake. Five wild horses remain on the island, which is also home to a managed population of big horn sheep, mule deer and the occasional bear.

Who owns Wild Horse Island Montana?

Bourke MacDonald from Butte and his wife, Alice, purchased the island in 1961 and established cabin sites along the shore. 24 cabins now remain.

Are there bears on Wild Horse Island?

The park is noted for its wildlife including bighorn sheep, mule deer, songbirds, waterfowl, bald eagles, and falcons, as well as five wild horses. To protect wildlife viewing opportunities, pets are not permitted on the island. This is bear country and bears do frequent the island.

Are there bathrooms on Wild Horse Island?

At Lakeside there is a boat ride (4 hours with driver) for $250 that takes you on a tour of the lake and a short visit to Wild Horse Island. We preferred our own boat. Toilets available.

Can you touch the horses at Assateague Island?

Petting or feeding the wild horses may seem like a harmless and fun thing to do, but the consequences can be terrible. For your safety and the safety of the horses, please obey park regulations and do not approach, touch, or feed the Assateague horses. Assateague horses do bite, kick and can carry rabies.

Can you kayak to Wild Horse Island?

To access Wild Horse Island by canoe or sea kayak, drive 29 miles south from Kalispell on Highway 93 to Dayton Yacht Harbor for a 90-minute paddle to the island. Warning: It’s a windy journey. By power or sailboat, you can launch from over 20 access sites, state parks, or marinas, most commonly from Big Arm State Park.

Do you always see horses on Assateague Island?

Ponies graze all day, shorebirds, eagles and dolphins are seen any time of the day. We see different herds of ponies and various species of wildlife at different times throughout the day. Each time we go out on the cruise or kayak trip, we see different wildlife behavior throughout the day. No two trips are ever alike.

How many wild horses are on Wild Horse Island?

The park is noted for its wildlife including bighorn sheep, mule deer, songbirds, waterfowl, bald eagles, and falcons, as well as five wild horses.

Do horses roam free in Montana?

About 60 miles south of Billings, Montana, are the Pryor Mountain wild horses, Montana’s only large herd of free-roaming wild horses. This herd of 120-160 animals is reputed to be of Spanish ancestry, of which very few are in existence today.

Can you capture wild horses in Montana?

The BLM was mandated to manage wild horses and burros by the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. This act states, “It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment or death.” It also decrees that the Secretary (of the Interior) “…

Can you swim in Wild Horse Reservoir?

A year-round park, Cave Lake features a 32-acre reservoir that provides excellent trout fishing, boating, swimming, hiking and camping.

Can you drink on Hunting island?

Alcoholic beverages, fireworks, and explosives are not allowed. Do not feed, approach, or harass wildlife. Fires must be contained within designated camping fire rings. Pets are allowed on the beach and in the camping area but not in the buildings.

How long does it take to kayak from big arm to Wild Horse Island?

It takes about 45 minutes of paddling if you start there. If you start at the boat rental docks, it takes ~1.5 hours.

Can you just drive through Assateague Island?

By Vehicle
There is no vehicle access between the two entrances on Assateague Island. Vehicles must return to the mainland to access either the north or south entrance.

Do you have to pay to go to Assateague Island?

Vehicle: $45.00 – Refuge Annual Pass, valid 1 year from purchase. Beach Parking fee upgrade: $20.00 – For visitors using the USFWS Migratory Waterfowl Duck Stamp as an entrance pass, valid July 1 – June 30 annually.

Do you have to pay to go on the beach at Assateague Island?

Vehicle: $10 – 1 Day. Vehicle: $25 – 7 Days. Vehicle: $45 – Refuge Annual Pass, valid 1 year from purchase. Vehicle: $45 – USFWS Migratory Waterfowl Duck Stamp ($25) plus beach parking fee ($20)

Are there still wild ponies on Assateague Island?

With careful management, the wild horses will continue to thrive on Assateague Island and provide enjoyment to thousands of nature enthusiasts, photographers, and people who just love horses!

How Big Is Wild Horse Island?

Wild Horse Island (Montana Salish: Čt’išeʔém, Kutenai: kwiⱡq̓anqmi), approximately 2,164 acres (876 ha) in size, is the largest island on Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Montana.