Jockey's Ridge Trail

Jockey’s Ridge State Park protects the tallest active sand dune system on the Atlantic Coast, where mountains of sand shift and reshape with the winds. The trail climbs the dunes to their highest point, approximately 80 feet above sea level, with panoramic views of Roanoke Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding Outer Banks. The dunes’ ever-changing nature creates a unique hiking experience where the landscape itself is in constant motion. Hang gliders and kite flyers add color to the scene, while sunset views across the sound are legendary. This distinctive coastal environment provides a hiking experience unlike anything else in North Carolina, combining beach atmosphere with genuine dune-climbing adventure.