Take Flight At Jockey's Ridge State Park, A Delightful Day Trip On The Outer Banks Of North Carolina
By Sarah McCosham|Published February 27, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Despite the fact that I have lived in the Midwest my entire life, the beach is my happy place. As an Ohioan, my “beach” of choice is Hilton Head Island, but I’ve recently discovered The Outer Banks. Moody and weather-worn, full of sand dunes, lighthouses, and history, The Outer Banks in North Carolina is one of the most resplendent treasures on the Atlantic Coast. The Outer Banks is known for its wide expanse of open beachfront along the stunning Cape Hatteras National Seashore, its immense sand dunes, and historic ties to aviation, and there’s one place where all of these things come together. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a delightful day trip in The Outer Banks of North Carolina, a place where past and present come together in the most marvelous, high-flying way.
Hi there! My name is Sarah, and I’m a writer and editor here at OnlyInYourState. Born and raised in the Buckeye State, I am endlessly inspired by this beautiful country of ours and feel as though I might have lived in the Pacific Northwest in a previous life. As a mom of four kids, I’m always on the lookout for new adventures, and despite living in Ohio for 35 years, I am constantly surprised by the state’s natural beauty. Enough about me — welcome to OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers.
There are some spectacular sand dunes in the United States. From the Oregon Dunes in the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest's Sleeping Bear Dunes and even Indiana Dunes, these places stoke the wanderlust of all who visit their otherworldly, Mars-like expanses. In terms of superlatives, though,
Jockey's Ridge State Park reigns supreme.
Located in Nag's Head within The Outer Banks of North Carolina, Jockey's Ridge is the tallest sand dune system on the Atlantic Coast. Jockey's Ridge contains three unique ecosystems, in fact: the sweeping Roanoke Sound, the epic sand dunes, and a stunning maritime forest.
Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1974, Jockey's Ridge State Park was officially established in 1975.
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Sand is undeniably the star of the show at this North Carolina State Park, a 427-acre area full of immense sand dunes that aren't just for looking; but also for experiencing in the most marvelous of ways.
Scientists believe that the barrier islands of The Outer Banks were remnants of the last ice age which ended approximately 12,000 years ago. It's thought that Jockey's Ridge came into being about 7,000 years ago, possibly the result of minerals that were washed from the mountains of the state to the ocean, creating sand. This sand was then pushed onto the beaches of the area by storms and hurricanes; through a process known as saltation, the sand was blown into the undulating system of dunes that unfolds before visitors today.
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Jockey's Ridge State Park is a marvelous day trip when vacationing in The Outer Banks of North Carolina, offering a world of recreation from hiking and kite flying...
...to even hang gliding! Private outfitters offer hang gliding lessons in the park; a bucket-list activity that speaks to the area's high-flying history.
Please note: during the summer months when visitation is highest, guests are encouraged to bring water with them. There is no fresh water available within the park, and the desert-like environment can be quite harsh with temperatures climbing to 110 degrees Fahrenheit -- the sand can be as many as 30 degrees hotter.
The Outer Banks is inextricably tied to aviation. The steady winds and gently sloping sand dunes of OBX have been attracting soaring pilots since the early 20th century. The Wright brothers flew many pioneering glider flights at Kitty Hawk between 1900 and 1903 with Orville Wright returning to set a 9 minute 45 second soaring record there in 1911.
Today, OBX is celebrated for its high-flying history, with Jockey's Ridge the most-visited state park in North Carolina and acclaimed place for accessible aviatic activities such as kite flying and catching a killer sunset.
This North Carolina State Park is open daily (with the exception for Christmas Day), free to visit, and pets are allowed provided they remain on a leash no longer than six feet. In other words, Jockey's Ridge State Park is the perfect day trip destination for families vacationing in OBX and looking for a break from the beach.
In addition, a second access area takes visitors through wetland habitats and allows for swimming, paddling, kiteboarding, and windsurfing on the Roanoke Sound -- though with kids in tow, there's nothing better than simply letting them run wild and free, imaginations taking flight and fueling the wanderlust of even the littlest explorers.
When was the last time your imagination soared as high as the sky? Or you let the sensation of awe and wonder wash over you? Whether you prefer adrenaline-pumping aerial adventures, exploring incredible state parks and historic places, or simply strolling along the sandy slopes of epic sand dunes, Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a bucket-list-worthy destination in the beautiful The Outer Banks of North Carolina.
