Jockey's Ridge State Park

Jockey's Ridge State Park is a 420-acre natural area in the heart of Nags Head. Over one million people visit the landmark each year. It is made up of three distinct environments, the dunes, maritime thickets and the Roanoke Sound estuary. The dune system is the largest east of the Mississippi River. Much of the park is made of living dunes or medanos that shift back and forth with prevailing winds from the northeast and southwest.

Activities at Jockey's Ridge State Park include hiking, wildlife observation, picnicking, kite flying and hang gliding. Several covered picnic shelters with grills are available on a first come first serve basis. Throughout the year, park staff gives free environmental education programs on a variety of topics. There is also a sound access with a wading beach at the end of Soundside Road.

Kitty Hawk Kites operates a hang-gliding concession at Jockey's Ridge State Park and offers lessons throughout the year. The steady Outer Banks wind and soft sand (two of the reasons the Wright Brothers came to the area to experiment with their flying machines) provide an excellent environment for hang gliding. The Rogallo Wing and hang gliding

An interactive interpretive museum invites visitors to learn more about the wildlife at Jockey's Ridge, Outer Banks weather, and the history of the area and the park. The Friends of Jockey's Ridge operates a gift shop in the Visitors Center with caps, t-shirts, postcards, local artwork, books and lots of nature related gift items.