Jockey’s Ridge State Park, NC
Jockey’s Ridge State Park in North Carolina is a unique park. It boasts the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic Coast. Visitors can wander up and down the dunes for one of the most unique experiences offered at any NC State Park.
The park is known as one of the best locations for sunset photos in Nags Head or Kill Devil Hills.
While hiking, it’s not unusual to see people taking hang-gliding lessons offered by a third-party concessionaire.
As you wander along the dunes, you’ll also see the monument noting the eastern terminus of the Mountains to Sea Trail that starts at Clingmans Dome.
The park has two entrances and three trails. Honestly, at the main entrance, once you hop off the boardwalk into the sand, it’s pretty much a free for all. The trails are marked, but it can be difficult to locate the markers since they’re poles in the ground.
There are picnic areas, a large parking lot, and plenty of views.
What to Know Before Visiting Jockey’s Ridge State Park
It’s all sand. I realize this is a “duh” moment, but you’ll want supportive shoes that you can easily rinse off.
The sand is deep, soft and difficult to walk in. I wouldn’t head out with mules or flip flops. You want something that’s attached to your foot.
Sneakers are fine, just know that you’ll be banging them out later. I had trail runners on and removed the insoles, banged the shoes (repeatedly), then vacuumed them when I got home.
The best time to visit is close to sunset. Enjoy the park, then stay for beautiful photos or just watch the sun go down over the water.
Entrances
There are two entrances to the park, the main entrance with the Visitor Center, and the Soundside Access. They’re literally 5 minutes apart, but you will need to drive to get from one to the other.
The Soundside Access closes an hour before the Main Entrance. It’s best to visit this section of the park first.
Main Entrance
The main entrance is where you’ll find the dunes as you know them. Most of the hiking and views are here. The entrance is well marked and easy to find.
The Visitor Center, hang-gliding, eastern terminus of the Mountains to Sea Trail, and picnic shelters are here.
Soundside Access
Soundside Access is off 158. You’ll turn on West Soundside Rd, which is a neighborhood. It will end at a T intersection. The entrance is on your right at the T intersection.
There are about eight parking spots. You’ll see a wood structure which is the entrance to a beach area. If you stay in the parking lot and look towards the back, you’ll see the start of the Soundside Nature Trail which is a well-marked loop.
Things to do at Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Jockey’s Ridge offers hiking, hang-gliding, sandboarding, paddling, swimming, kiteboarding, and windsurfing.
Hiking can be found at both entrances. Hang-gliding lessons and sandboarding are at the Main Entrance, and you can rent gear. Paddling, Swimming, Kiteboarding, and Windsurfing are at Soundside Access, but you’ll need to bring your own gear.
The dunes themselves are a treat if you’ve never experienced sand mountains. And there’s a castle from an old miniature golf course that was buried and recently popped back up.
There’s no camping at Jockey’s Ridge. Pettigrew State Park is the closest location with a campground. You’ll also find RV campsites throughout the Outer Banks and there are plenty of places to stay in Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and Manteo.
I hung out in Manteo and it was an easy 15 minute drive to Jockey’s Ridge.
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Trails at Park
Usually I list all the trails, but Jockey’s Ridge is unique. The trails can be difficult to follow most visitors find their own way around the park.
Main Entrance Trails
At the main entrance, technically, you should start to the right of the restrooms on the Tracks in the Sand Trail. The Ridge Top Trail splits off from it near the wooden deck.
Most people walk down the boardwalk behind the restrooms to the wooden deck, then head down the stairs. If you do it this way, head left for the Ridge Top Trail and right to Tracks in the Sand.
I do recommend checking out Tracks in the Sand. You’ll see a kiosk noting the trail and small wooden stakes with arrows to keep you on track. The trail takes you up a dune and across another before dipping to the Roanoke Sound. It makes a small loop near the sound before backtracking on itself.
I did the loop then came back up the dune. After that, I saw people wandering everywhere and just made my own path to explore. While I’m a huge proponent of leave no trace and staying on trail, it’s difficult here because the markers are far apart, and you can’t follow the masses because people are everywhere.
Just do the best you can.
To be honest, I’m not even sure which peak is Ridge Top. It’s just dune after dune.
Soundside Trail
The Soundside Nature Trial is about 0.75 miles and worth the effort. It offers different coastal environments with little stands that tell you about the animals and plants as you go. There’s a wetland, sand dunes, and other fun areas. I came out near a small nook on the sound with some people fishing nearby.
There was no one else on the trail and I enjoyed having it all to myself.
Just a note: The Soundside Access closes earlier than the main entrance. Double-check the times and ask the staff at the Main Entrance to be sure when it closes.
Finding the Hidden Castle
A long time ago, there was a miniature golf course. The winds blew and the sands shifted, burying the course. Years later, Jockey’s Ridge State Park was created on top of the dunes.
A few years ago, the turrets from the castle started poking up from the sand. It’s now often completely uncovered. According to the park staff, the sands continue to shift and sometimes it’s buried, sometimes you can see the turrets, and sometimes you can see the entire castle.
Given how much was exposed when I visited, I think you’ll have a good chance of seeing it.
There are two ways to find the castle.
The easy way is to park at Kitty Hawk Kites at 3933 Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC. here’s a traffic light with a large crosswalk that goes across Croatan Highway (Highway 158). You’ll need to cross the street here.
Once across, you’ll walk right into the park. This is a back entrance and there is a sign. As soon as you see the small sign, look to your left and you should see the castle in the distance. It’s about 200 yards from the sign.
The harder way to find the castle is to enter the park at the main entrance and walk towards the dunes. Look to the beach and downtown area with the houses and businesses. You’ll need to walk towards those houses, up the dune the hang gliders launch from. At the top of that dune, look down and to your right. You should see the castle if it’s visible.
Tips for Visiting Jockey’s Ridge State Park
When visiting the park, I would head out in the afternoon and enjoy Soundside Access first since it closes earlier than the main entrance. Give yourself about an hour to enjoy the area.
Next, head up Croatan Highway and stop at Kitty Hawk Kites. Cross the street and look to your left to see if you can get a view of the castle.
After exploring the area, head to the main entrance and pretend you’re in an Indiana Jones movie climbing up sand dunes. Then settle in for sunset. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the show before heading back to your car.
Don’t be surprised to find several other people taking photos, or enjoying a date night.
After watching the sun set, it takes about ten minutes to work your way back to your car and there will still be enough late to safely navigate.
Dress Accordingly
The park is completely exposed. You’ll want sunscreen.
The sand is thick and soft. You will sink in as you walk. Supportive sandals that hook to your feet are your best bet. Something like a Teva or Merrill.
Evening does cool down a bit. If you’re going to stay for sunset, bring a long-sleeved shirt.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park – Wrap Up
Jockey’s Ridge is a truly unique experience. Climbing around on huge sand dunes, exploring several different ecosystems, watching hang-gliders, and having views of both the ocean and Roanoke Sound, is amazing.
It’s definitely not your same old park.
If you’re visiting the Outer Banks, I highly recommend stopping by Jockey’s Ridge. It’s two hours from Merchants Millpond State Park and an hour from Pettigrew State Park which are the closest State Parks with camping.
There are also RV campgrounds throughout the Outer Banks.
