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North Carolina State Parks
Welcome to North Carolina's Jockey's Ridge State Park, home to the tallest sand dunes on the Atlantic seaboard. Millions of people have come to Jockey's Ridge State Park to see these spectacular dunes as well as the beautiful sunsets and to enjoy the park's beaches.
Park History: It is believed that these dunes were formed by the winds of strong hurricans that blew large amounts of sand inland. The reason that these dunes do not blow away is because the summer winds go in the opposite direction of the winter winds and thus blow the sand back. The first humans to live on this land were members of the Algonquin Native American tribe. Some of the region's first Europeans including Spanish and French used this land as a mariner's landmark. The region started to build summer resorts as early as the early 19th century and by the 20th century, bridges were built.
In 1973 a local woman put herself in the path of a bulldozer in order to save the dunes and started a local campaign to advocate for their protection. ln 1974 the dunes were declared a National Natural Landmark and in 1975 the State of North Carolina purchased the land with help from the Federal Government and the Nature Conservancy. Legend has it that this park's name comes from the days when people would capture wild ponies and ride them out into the surf.
Flora and Fauna: Jockey's Ridge State Park's unique environment helps protect the home of numerous plant and animal species. Some of the plants that grow inside this coastal park include bayberries, red cedars, sweetgums, and loblolly pines. A few of the wild animals that are found here include raccoons, mice, muskrats, lizards, warblers, and sparrows. Please treat their home with respect.
For the lover of the outdoors Jockey's Ridge State Park boasts hangliding, sandboarding, and kite-boarding opportunities, hiking on the dunes, and much more. Come on out and explore!
To contact the office please call 252-441-7132.
Jockey's Ridge State Park
300 W. Carolista Drive
Nags Head, North Carolina
27959
United States
35.960779, -75.634003
Map:
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