Jockey's Ridge State Park
Jockey's Ridge State Park is a North Carolina state park in Dare County, North Carolina in the United States. Located in Nags Head, North Carolina, it covers a 427-acre (1.73 km2) area, and includes the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It is the most visited park within the NC park system. The park is a day-use only park and has no campgrounds. Jockey's Ridge contains three unique ecosystems: the Roanoke Sound, the dune system, and the maritime forest. Often when it rains, water collects near the bottom of the dunes creating temporary ponds known as vernal pools. Few fauna can be seen around the dunes, although some types of flora, such as tall grass, may be seen near the bottom of the dunes.
| Jockey's Ridge State Park | |
|---|---|
IUCN category III (natural monument or feature) | |
A sand dune at Jockey's Ridge State Park | |
Location of Jockey's Ridge State Park in North Carolina Jockey's Ridge State Park (the United States) | |
| Location | Dare, North Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°57′43″N 75°38′03″W |
| Area | 427 acres (173 ha) |
| Elevation | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Established | 1975 |
| Named for | Jockey's Ridge |
| Governing body | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | Jockey's Ridge State Park |
U.S. National Natural Landmark | |
| Designated | 1974 |
The park is open year-round, except Christmas Day, and does not charge an admission, parking, or program fee. The park's entrance is located at Milepost 12 on S. Croatan Highway/US 158. Ranger-led programs are offered throughout the year. Also available are nature trails, a sound access, and picnic areas. Viewing the sunset over the sound, bird watching, and kite-flying are among the favorite activities of visitors. The park also provides outside bathrooms that are typically open from the last frost of the spring to the first frost of the fall.
During the summer months, when visitation is highest, visitors are encouraged to bring water with them. There is no fresh water available within the park. The desert-like environment can be quite harsh and temperatures can reach 110 degrees; the sand can be 30 degrees hotter.
The park's visitor center features a museum about the cultural and natural history of the park, including sand dunes, plants and wildlife, weather, pirates and local maritime history. A hang-gliding school provides concessionaire hang-gliding lessons in the park. The ridge area is accessed either from the back deck of the visitor center or the parking lot via a 350-foot-long (110 m) boardwalk. Sandboarding is also practiced on the dunes.