There are many reasons to visit Missouri, even if this Midwestern state is often forgotten and unfairly underrated. Known as the Show-Me State, Missouri boasts a rich history, a remarkable state park system, food (Kansas City alone has more than a hundred barbecue restaurants), and a beautiful landscape. Concerning the latter, much of Missouri’s amazing landscape is underground. That’s the reason it’s also called the “Cave State.” In a sense, Missouri’s beauty is a little hidden. It’s not the kind that screams.

Therefore, to unravel and unpack Missouri, one needs to look beyond her glittering cities. While cities like St Louis, Kansas, and Silver Dollars have the glitz and glamor that would appeal to a certain class of vacationers, opting for the charm of a small city can actually be quite rewarding. And this takes us to Eminence, a small Missouri town known for its famous wild horses.

Here’s What You Need To Know About Eminence, Missouri

Here’s the thing. For vacationers who love the outdoors: visiting expansive national parks, camping in places and destinations no one has ever heard of, or looking at rumbling waterfalls and viewing glistening lakes and springs—Eminence, Missouri—is a town that perfectly fits the bill. Of course, big cities have their fun and flair. New York and Chicago. But if one wants an intimate experience, small towns such as Eminence are a must-visit.

Eminence is a short drive away from the largest freshwater springs in the United States. Blue Spring. Round Spring. Welch Spring. And then some more. Not to mention such historic mills as the Alley Spring Mill—whose grist mill is more than a century old. But that’s not all. Eminence is also surrounded by many caves one can explore as well as several hiking trails which open out to breathtaking views around. Besides these—the Current and Jack’s Fork Rivers constitute the Ozark National Scenic Riverways—the first scenic riverway in the United States. However, and perhaps surprisingly, what the town of Eminence is better known for is its famous wild horses. Let’s lift the lid on Eminence’s wild-horse attraction.

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Here’s What You Need To Know About The Wild Horses of Eminence, Missouri

It’s a rare spectacle. Quite a sight to behold. And here’s the reason. Almost all horses in the world today are domesticated. Yet in Eminence, they roam the wild expanse—a special kind of horses that have amassed incredible fame—the wild horses of Missouri. They are not many. According to federal law, their number is capped at 50. So what’s done by the authorities to control this number? Simple. Adoption. When there’s a need, the Wild Horse League, the organization that’s in charge of monitoring the horses—starts looking for adopters. For those looking for a trip that’s unusual, that will involve some time spent in the wild with animals that are truly unique in every sense of the word; Eminence is just the place to be.

The wild horses are grouped into herds, obviously, for better monitoring and management. There are up to five such herds, named according to the areas the horses like to frequent. And so, there’s the Shawnee Creek and the Broadfoot herd. Besides these two herds, also the largest—the Grassy Creek, Round Spring, and Rocky Creek—round up the number of herds. These herds spot different colors. For instance, the horses in the Shawnee Creek herd are snowy white. Even the young ones, which are initially as black as coal—mysteriously shed their color when they grow up—and become as white as wool. On the other hand, most of the horses in the Broadfoot herd are brown. Or grey. Or something in between. But others are also white. And while these horses are wild and once chewed a motorcycle seat belonging to a park visitor, in most cases, they just bolt away when approached—or nonchalantly mind their business.

Related: Let's Talk Missouri: Why The Ozarks Aren't The Only Thing Worth Visiting In This State.

Here’s How To See The Wild Horses Of Eminence

These horses roam the hilly area around the town of Eminence, a good 301 miles from Kansas City, Missouri, on US-60 and MO-13 N. The area in which the wild horses roam is both fairly wooded and vast. They wander freely within the confines of the 80,000-acre Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Obviously, this huge area makes it hard to spot these wild horses. Coupled with the fact that these wild horses seem to evade contact with human beings, especially in situations where the encounter is abrupt—or involves a crowd—it’s advisable to plan one’s trip around the places where sighting the wild horses is both probable and possible.

• How Much Will I be Charged For entering the Ozark National Scenic Riverways? Entry to this park is free.

For instance, Broadfoot and Shawnee Fields are areas that offer reasonable chances of seeing these unique animals. Alternatively, visitors can try the area above Current and Jack’s Fork Rivers on Highway V. It’s not every day that one sees a wild horse. Therefore, one shouldn’t let such a chance carelessly slip through the fingers.