Plan your next beach vacation in the Outer Banks, where long stretches of beachfronts promise hours in the sea and sun. Along with plenty of beach time, these barrier islands offer a destination rich with history and culture. Discover the hidden treasures waiting to be discovered in the Outer Banks, NC! While sun-kissed children playing along the shores may pretend to dig for hidden treasure in the sand, that’s exactly what has been discovered at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. The state park is home to the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast, and beneath its wind-swept sands, intriguing discoveries have been made.
A Park Among the Shifting Sands
In the 1970s, Jockey’s Ridge Golf Course, a mini golf course popular with families, stood next to the dunes. By the mid-80s, the dunes began encroaching upon the golf course, slowly submerging it in sand. Unable to fend off the constantly shifting sands, the owner eventually let nature run its course. Today, bits of the golf course can still be seen poking up through the sand, including the course’s iconic castle. Interestingly, some believe an entire hotel from the early 1800s also fell victim to the unstoppable moving dunes. These awe-inspiring dunes are estimated to move approximately three to six feet southwest per year.
Today, the former Jockey’s Ridge Golf Course is home to Jockey’s Ridge State Park, where families come to fly kites, explore the dunes, picnic, hang glide, and enjoy the sunset. Stop in the visitor’s center and museum for additional information on this scenic and historic area. A boardwalk leading to the dunes is a picturesque start to your journey, where you should be sure to pause and read the informational signage about the dunes’ ecology along the way.
Planning Your Excursion to Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Jockey’s Ridge State Park is located in Nags Head at 300 W. Carolista Drive. The park has seasonal hours and is open November to February from 8am-6pm, March to April from 8am-8pm, May to September from 8am-9pm, and October from 8am-8pm. The park can be contacted at 252-441-7132 with any questions you may have.
Stay & Play Near Jockey’s Ridge
Jockey’s Ridge is just one of the many exciting sites that are waiting to be explored in the Outer Banks. At Shoreline OBX, we offer top notch vacation homes in the most desirable areas of the Outer Banks, ensuring you’ll spend your vacation enjoying the many sites and beaches in the area. Book your Outer Banks vacation rental here!
Photo By [[:en:User:{{{1}}}|{{{1}}}]] at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49298854
