Seaside Vacations

Every year, thousands of people visit Jockeys Ridge State Park to experience the largest “living” sand dune on the East Coast.  Many visit to take in the sheer beauty of this amazing landscape and the breathtaking views (arguably the best spot on the beach to watch the sunset over the Sound), but there is much more to Jockey’s Ridge than sand and views.

Jockeys Ridge is home to a wide array of wildlife and gorgeous scenery.  The park offers a variety of hiking trails with signs designating the wildlife and surrounding nature.

• The Soundside Natural Trail is a self guided tour that is only about a mile long.  This trail features a glimpse of several different coastal ecosystems; including, wetlands, grassy dunes and maritime thickets.  While hiking on this trail, you will be able to learn about some of the wildlife that call this park home.
• The Tracks in the Sand trail is another popular trail that runs a little longer than the Soundside Natural Trail.  This trail runs for a distance of approximately 1.5 miles,  and offers a glimpse at the parks different ecosystems with stations that will provide the hiker information.

The park also offers a full calendar of events and programs that are designed to be fun, educational, and hands-on…most of these are free to the public, but some may require prior registration.

Another unique feature of this incredible system of sand dunes is the ability to harness the amazing Outer Banks winds on just about any day of the year.  Jockey’s Ridge is a favorite for kite flyers on the OBX, and it is where many hang gliding enthusiasts got their start.

• Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge since 1974!  They are the largest hand gliding school in the world, teaching hundreds of thousands of students since 1974 (over 300,000)!
  • They have taught students aged 4-92, male and female, physically fit and physically challenged. In fact, they can accommodate paraplegics, blind, deaf and other persons physically challenged. All they require is a desire to learn how to fly. They provide beginner, intermediate and advanced instruction.

Park hours:

November-February, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

March and October, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

April, May, September, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

June-August, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day

Park office hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Closed Christmas Day