Running Down Jockey's Ridge

How to wear out your kids at the Outer Banks: Take them to Jockey's Ridge. The rest will take care of itself!

Jockey's Ridge is the largest sand dune on the east coast. Legend says that in 1973, local heroine Carolista Baum personally stared down a bulldozer as it started to level a section of the dune for a housing development. More locals banded together to work toward protecting this unique ecosystem, and in 1975 the Jockey's Ridge State Park was created. Now you know why the entrance road to the park is named Carolista Drive.

Entrance to Jockey's Ridge is free, just drive to milepost 12 in Nags Head and turn west into the park. There is a visitor's center that offers many free programs throughout the year, including everything from videos to "Sunset on the Ridge".

Visit the web page maintained by the Friends of Jockey's Ridge for the latest information: http://www.jockeysridgestatepark.com/

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• jockeys
• ridge
• jockey's
• nags
• head
• carolista
• baum
• sand
• dune
• outer
• banks
• obx
• village
• realty