Sacred Way Sanctuary is a research, education, and preservation facility dedicated to honoring the history of the horse in the Americas and its relationship with the Indigenous Peoples. Our mission is to educate the world regarding this unique history by providing a historical reconstruction that has been compiled by combining Traditional Knowledge from a number of Native Nations with cutting edge academic research.
Our facility includes a Visitor’s Center, Interpretive Center/ Museum, Trading Post, and a 100-acre Wildlife Preserve. Our 100-acre wildlife preserve provides a safe haven for a rare breed of horse - The Ancient Horse of the Americas - as well as other animals that Native Nations have held sacred for thousands of years. Each herd or flock lives in their natural family groups and are provided with specialized care and the freedom to live their lives in a place dedicated to their complete well-being. While visitation to our Wildlife preserve is limited to research and educational purposes only, you are invited to join us at Our Visitor’s Center to experience Sacred Way Sanctuary!
For Our Visitors!
- Interpretive Center & Museum: Explore the history of the horse in the Americas and its relationship with many Native Nations from a scholarly, Indigenous perspective. Here, we combine one of a kind artifacts with some of the latest cutting edge research to tell a remarkable story. (Guided & Self-Guided Tours Available)
- Trading Post: Enjoy shopping for high quality, authentic Native-made arts, jewelry, and other traditional crafts both in person at our Visitor’s Center, as well as on our online store.
- Visitor's Center: Visitors can meet, greet, and feed some of our horses, as well as Diné four-horned sheep and ancient San Clemente goats. We also offer workshops seasonally, which are taught by Native master teachers.
Click any photo to view larger photos.
Entrance to Sacred Way Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve - 'Preservation of the Ancients'
Ojibwe Native horses, Wildlife Preserve
Buffalo, held sacred to many Plains Indian Nations, Wildlife Preserve
Visitors’ Center during Grand Opening Festival
Blue water creek that runs through Sacred Way Sanctuary, Wildlife Preserve
Enjoying the native-made art and jewelry in the Trading Post.
Native Horse herd, Wildlife Preserve
Diné 4-horned sheep held sacred by the Diné (Navajo) People of the Southwest.
San Clemente Island Goats, extremely rare, 3 of only 700 reported left.
Vision Quest, Native horse representative
'Flag Row' at the Visitors’ Center - these flags honor the various Native Nations from which the Sanctuary's Native horses originate.
This display includes elements of authentic Native American clothing and regalia.
Indigenouse Horses of the Americas
Sacred Way Sanctuary Tours, Contact Info and Location Map
Sacred Way Sanctuary is open to the public on Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm. Other times by appointment.
- Phone - 256.648.0582
- Email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Website - www.sacredwaysanctuary.org
4409 County Road 200
Florence, AL 35633 (click to view a map)
From the Natchez Trace - Exit the parkway at milepost 336 onto Alabama Highway 20. Travel 4/10s of a mile to Lauderdale County Road 200. Turn left onto CR 200 and travel 4.2 miles.
