Jockey's Ridge State Park
Jockey's Ridge State Park
4.5
State ParksParksGeologic Formations
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Two of the highest sand dunes on the East Coast are located here, providing excellent take-off points for hang gliders.
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  • Yea W
    Houston, Texas275 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice sand dunes in NC!
    I heard about this place on Instagram years ago and forgot about it. I bought a travel action and this place was on the list so I had to make the trek. It was certainly worth it. It was a cloudy and cold day when I visited but still good. If I'm ever in that area again, I'll make the trip there, hoping it'll be better weather.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 11 March 2024
  • tennesseeangie
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wow! Never seen anything like this before!
    On top of the HUGE dune is a perfect place to watch the sunset! Such a fun and unusual experience! Websites all said the park was open 8 AM to 8 PM - but it was open to 9 PM, allowing time for us to see the sunset. A little bit of climb up to get there, but totally worth it!
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 14 May 2024
  • mgmorgan
    Toms River, New Jersey52 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing, a must see
    Amazing. Didn't know what to expect. All I can say is, it's a must see! Just a heads up, you will be walking in soft sand and up and down hills. I didn't walk all of it, as I have a bumb knee, but was able to see and walk some. They do have a parasaling school there, and a little information inside.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 May 2024
  • Brian M
    Indianapolis, Indiana49 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do it!
    I went here to get some hiking in and to experience the tallest dunes on the east coast. To start off the park is free to enter, park, visit - nice! I’d never been here so I went inside to ask where to go. The person I interacted with was very friendly and helpful. I made my way down the boardwalk and onto the sand. A little hike from there and I could see the dunes. I spent my time hiking up and down the dunes, taking in the views and made it to the water. On the way back I took a detour into the wooded area - where it felt 20 degrees cooler! Overall I hiked only about two miles. Short, but fun and a good time. If I did it again, I’d bring a kite. It’s a popular thing to do at the dunes!
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 31 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
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Mia D
Richmond, VA95 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Couples
My husband and I visiting Jockey’s State Park in October about an hour before sunset. People started to gather for the sunset but there was plenty of space to keep social distanced. It is a beautiful sight and you have to watch the sunset on the dunes at least once!
Written 14 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SuperAdventure
Williamsburg, VA109 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2021
We loved Jockey Ridge State Park. It is fun hiking on the dunes. Our favorite part of going here was that we did the sand boarding. You can rent a sandboard from kitty hawk kites. I forget the price but it was reasonable and they give you wax which is essential in getting the board to work. I also took a skimboard. We used the wax on that and it worked as well. The sandboard you rent allows you to stand up or sit down. Its almost like sledding on sand. You can also watch the people learning to hang glide. Its free to get in so I think its a must see place if your in the area. It can be tough walking in the sand but it is fun.
Written 30 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tailsock
Raleigh, NC950 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2021
This was my 2nd visit to Jockey's Ridge with the most recent being within a group of families with small kids. We were here to fly kites on what was probably the hottest day of the year.

From the parking lot it's about a 10-13 minute walk to the tallest dunes. You'll see hang gliders in the distance along with people flying kites. The sand was pretty darn hot and by the time we got to where the others were flying kites, we were already drenched in sweat. We flew kites for about 30 minutes before the kids began to complain about the heat. (Mid June) I experienced better winds in 2012 the first time I visited. It looks like the restrooms are open again so keep in mind if you have little ones.

If it's gonna be hot be sure and get a spot under one of the huge trees in the parking lot. There's a picnic table underneath one we were lucky to grab for refreshments afterward and just get out of the merciless fury of the sun's rays. Some of the dunes are quite steep so I don't recommend this for the elderly or those with mobility issues.
Written 30 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NickiT421
Baltimore, MD107 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 • Family
Quick 15 minute hike to the top of the dune yielded gorgeous sunset views. You can see the ocean behind you and the sound in front of the sunset. Truly beautiful and well worth the short hike. Bathrooms available at the start of the trail. Free entrance. Can be windy at the top, may need a jacket. Went without shoes, but many leave shoes in the parking lot/ trail entrance. Our 16 and 17 year old girls were fascinated and had a great time taking pics.
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DJ M
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
We loved Jockey's Ridge State Park! In fact, this was probably where we spent the majority of our one-week vacation in OBX. We started with the kite festival on 9/11 where we could join the fun of flying kites as well as watch stunt and show kites. There were also huge kites flying on display (including patriotic ones for 9/11). The stunt kites inspired us to buy a power foil and came back twice during the week to fly it. We topped the week off with a hang-gliding lesson from Kitty Hawk Kites. I highly recommend it!
Written 18 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rachael D
Chapel Hill, NC114 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
This is the largest dune area on the east coast. My teenage children like to sled on the dunes and build jumps here to sled down. This only works with higher-end Morey Boogie Board type boards and wax (wax is a must) -- and you can zoom down the steeps. There are also wooden boards with a string (to keep the nose up) for rent at the surf shop across the main highway. Our kids also like to run and jump and do flips and such down the hills. It can be very windy and the blowing sand can burn your legs as it whips by. You can fly a kite here too and take a hang gliding lesson.
Written 1 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vonnie J
Greenville, NC162 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020
We enjoy going here, especially with our grandchildren. Have been here several times. The grandchildren are amazed at all the sand and hills. They enjoyed running and playing in the sand. Some people were doing hang gliding lessons and they enjoyed watching. It is always a good activity to do with children.
Written 10 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

litseyk
Charlottesville, VA6,122 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We wanted to check out the hand gliding classes that are taught on the sand dunes. We thought that we would have an opportunity to be towed by an airplane at thousands of feet in the air, but we were mistaken. These classes on the dunes only allow you to get 5-15 feet off of the ground on a windy day for a few seconds. You get like (5) tries for around $200, which is not worth the money to be honest. Little kids looked like they enjoyed it, but not sure if adults would. The views are great though.
Written 22 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aellis837
Tennessee347 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2021 • Friends
Okay, this was so cool. I’ve never seen anything like it and pictures don’t do it justice. This is gorgeous and feels like another world. Yet it’s fairly easy to get to/climb, for all ages. So worth a stop (evening time is best for less sun/heat)
Written 14 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BetteNew
Lutz, FL30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
Jockey's Ridge was a recommended must-see in the Outer Banks, and did not disappoint. Large, unspoiled sand dune area that shows what the Outer Banks once were. Take your shoes off, walk in the sand, and enjoy views of ocean and sound. Near the Wright Brothers' Memorial and worth the stop.
Written 24 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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