Wild Horses of Pilot Butte
Run Wild and Let Your Mane Fly
Be a witness to the untamed West with a visit to Pilot Butte, where a herd of wild horses can be viewed and photographed. As you hear the thunderous sound of pounding hooves in the wide-open landscape, you will realize that the frontier spirit is still alive and well.
With a population of about 1,500 head, chances are strong that you will be able to admire these wild horses during your visit. As descendants of the horses who were reintroduced to the area in the 1800s by cattle ranchers, you are witnessing the living story of the West.
The Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop offers the best chance to see the wild horses. This 24-mile, self-guided tour takes about 90 minutes, traveling between Rock Springs and Fourteen-Mile Hill, and all the way across the top of White Mountain. Stay on the lookout for other critters like pronghorn antelope, desert elk, deer, rabbits, coyotes, hawks, eagles and sage grouse.
To help guide you on your trip, here is a brochure with a map and information on the Wild Horses of Sweetwater County.
If you’re short on time, visit the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility, where wild horses are sheltered short term before adoption. At your own pace, you can view these magnificent animals year-round from a viewing kiosk that overlooks the facility. In the spring, you can see the adorable foals at play.
For those looking for a unique way to see the wild horses register for the Run with the Horses Marathon! This race is run on the third Saturday in August each year. This race is truly one of a kind. Run alongside the Wild Horses and other wildlife that call this area home. Learn more at runwiththehorsesmarathon.com.
Guide to Viewing the Wild Horses
Get the inside story on viewing the wild horses of Pilot Butte with our complete guide.
Adopt a Wild Horse from the BLM
Learn how you can adopt a Wild Horse from the Rock Springs Bureau of Land Management Office.
Visitor Info
To see the wild horses of Pilot Butte, take exit 104 off of I-80 in Rock Springs, go 14 miles north on Highway 191, and then left onto CR 4-14 (Fourteen-Mile Road) for 2.5 miles. Turn left onto CR 4-53, and follow for 21.5 miles to Green River. From Green River, exit I-80 to Flaming Gorge Way, and turn onto Wild Horse Canyon Road. Grab your camera and binoculars, pack plenty of food and water, and make sure to travel in a fueled-up 4-wheel-drive vehicle and always let someone know where you will be going.
To visit the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility, take I-80 from Rock Springs to the Elk Street exit (104) and go north one mile. Turn right onto Lionkol Road and go about a half mile to the facility.
For more information, call 307-352-0292.
Disclaimer: This is a true “off the grid experience,” and cell service is limited! Make sure you have extra water, and a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle with thick tires (and a spare tire) to traverse the dirt roads. Let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return.