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Dunes · Nags Head, North Carolina
Jockey's Ridge State Park
State park with the largest living dunes on the U.S. East Coast, between the ocean and the lagoon, used for walking, kites, and hang-gliding lessons.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Jockey's Ridge State Park
The dunes of Jockey's Ridge formed as wind blew sand from the Outer Banks beaches toward the lagoon. They shift slowly each year, changing height and shape, and are considered the largest living dunes on the U.S. Atlantic coast.
The state park protects the dunes and surrounding areas, with a visitor center, a wooden boardwalk and trails through low vegetation to the edge of the Roanoke Lagoon, where the water is shallow and calm.
The constant wind and soft sand make the dunes a popular spot for kite flying and hang-gliding lessons, offered by an authorized operator—just as the Wright brothers used the neighboring dunes for experiments a century ago.
At sunset, many visitors climb the dunes to watch the sun set over the lagoon to the west.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to three hours.
Best time
Late afternoon, for sunset; early morning in summer, before the sand heats up. Very windy days can send sand into your face.
How to get there
It’s on US-158 in Nags Head, about 10 km from the Wright Brothers Memorial, with parking next to the visitor center.
Tip
Wear closed shoes or sandals in summer: the sand gets very hot in the sun. There is no park entrance fee; hang-gliding lessons are paid to the operator.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Jockey's Ridge State Park
How high are the dunes at Jockey's Ridge?
They vary with the wind each year, typically between 20 and 30 meters. They are the largest living dunes on the East Coast of the country.
Can you hang glide at Jockey's Ridge?
Yes, in lessons with an authorized operator that works in the park.
Do you have to pay to enter Jockey's Ridge?
There is no entrance fee for the state park.