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Jockey's Ridge State Park

Map of TRACK Trail at Jockey's Ridge State Park

The Jockey’s Ridge State Park TRACK Trail, Tracks in the Sand, begins near the visitor center and is a pathway to discover the different views found within the park. Much of the trail traverses across lots of sand that is actively moving in the wind, known as a Live Dune Barren. West of these dunes, the trail traces the shoreline of the Roanoke Sound before reaching the Maritime Shrub.

Legend says the park was named as a result of spectators once gathering to watch horse races below. Wild horses no longer run through this stretch of the Outer Banks but the dunes continue shifting, shaped by the energy of wind. The sand and wind have held the interest of travelers for more than a century. Beyond the trail, the park is a place to fly a kite, hang glide, or just to watch the setting sun.

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Collectible Sticker for Jockey's Ridge State Park

Location Details

Recreational Features: Picnic Tables
Amenities: Restrooms, Visitor Center
ADA Compliant: No
Seasonality: Open all year
Grass growing on the dune
Big dune
TRACK Trail sign

Adventures for Jockey's Ridge State Park

Track Adventure
e-Adventure
Hiking

Animal Athletes

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.50
The Animal Athletes adventure challenges kids to exercise with the animals. This brochure gives kids eight different animal exercises they can do along the trail. From hummingbird hand-swings to frog hops, kids are sure to have fun getting in shape with the animals during their outdoor adventures.
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Track Adventure
e-Adventure
Hiking

Nature's Hide & Seek

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.50
The Nature's Hide & Seek brochure is designed so that kids of all ages can walk along the trail and discover common things that are often overlooked in nature. Some of them are hard to find, others are easy. Best of all, the adventure never ends because every time you walk the trail you will discover new things hiding in nature.
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Birds of Jockey's Ridge brochure
Track Adventure
Hiking

Jockey's Ridge State Park: Birds of Jockey's Ridge

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.50
The Birds of Jockey's Ridge brochure shows kids where to look for different birds along the trail. The brochure contains illustrations of some of the more common birds found at Jockey's Ridge State Park and information on how to identify them through various clues.
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Communities of Jockey's Ridge brochure
Track Adventure
Hiking

Jockey's Ridge State Park: Communities of Jockey's Ridge

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
1.50
Use this brochure to explore the biological communities of Jockey's Ridge State Park. From the Roanoke Sound, over the dunes, and into the maritime thickets, Jockey's Ridge supports a lively ecosystem full of plant and animal life for you to observe.
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Track Adventure
Hiking

Let's Explore - ecoEXPLORE

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.50
Scientists need your help! Use this brochure to learn how to be an ecoEXPLORER and share your nature observations with real scientists.
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Directions

300 W Carolista
Nags Head, NC 27959
Latitude: 35.965046100000
Longitude: -75.635902400000
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Partners

The Jockey's Ridge State Park TRACK Trail was made possible through partnerships formed between the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's Kids in Parks program and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the National Park Service.

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