Get out and explore with a ranger our 1-mile loop hike along the Soundside Nature Trail. Learn more about the park's natural world. Social distancing will be required throughout the hike.
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Events and Programs
Current status of park facilities
The main park entrance and dune are open from 8:00am to 8:00pm. The Soundside access and swim beach are open from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Please be advised that the parking lot at our Soundside Access fills up very quickly. We recommend arriving as early as possible as the parking lot is the only designated area where you may park to enjoy our Soundside beach area. You may be ticketed or towed if you park along Soundside Road or in any other undesignated area. Please look for alternative access sites such as those located on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
The Visitors' Center and Museum are open but we have limited capacity at this time. Please follow the 3-Ws and any posted guidelines.
Trails and restrooms at both park accesses are open.
We are offering limited programming, please call the park for more details.
With 24-hour advance notice, we are offering dune rides to visitors with mobility restrictions on a limited basis, please call the park for more details.
When visiting, please follow the North Carolina State Parks Guidelines listed above.
Please monitor this page for additional information.
Last updated on: Thursday, March 4, 2021
Contact the park
252-441-7132
jockeys.ridge@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Visitor center
300 W. Carolista Drive
Nags Head, NC 27959
GPS: 35.9642, -75.6330
Soundside access
330 W. Soundside Road
Nags Head, NC 27959
GPS: 35.9525, -75.6320
Hours
►
- November to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- March to April:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- May to September:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- October:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- October to March:
8:00am to 5:00pm
- April to September:
8:00am to 7:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- October to March:
9:00am to 5:00pm
- April to September:
9:00am to 6:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
Scheduled events
Jockey's Ridge State Park offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages. Typically led by park rangers, these interpretive programs allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful.
Most of the events are free, though some require pre-registration. All give park visitors deeper insight into the natural world. Call the park office for more information.
Date of Event:
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 3:00pm to 3:45pm
Start Location:
Soundside Access parking area
Beetle Mania, a statewide craze! NC State Park's 2021 educational theme is the Year of the Beetle. There are over 350,000 species worldwide! Let us share with you the wonderful world of these rocking insects.
Date of Event:
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 3:00pm to 3:30pm
Start Location:
Visitor Center auditorium
Swoop in for a brief discussion with a ranger to learn more about our seasonal Hawk Watch. Grab a perch and find out what raptor species migrate along the Outer Banks. Masks and social distancing will be required.
Date of Event:
Thu, 03/11/2021 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Start Location:
Visitor Center auditorium
Ascend the ridge with a ranger! Learn more about dune life and just how unique the park really is. The panoramic view will be memorable.
Date of Event:
Fri, 03/12/2021 - 3:00pm to 3:45pm
Start Location:
Pavilion (beside main dune access/Visitor Center parking lot)
Challenge a ranger to a round of target practice with an atlatl. This is an example of primitive technology Native Americans and ancient people worldwide used for thousands of years to hunt and survive. Additional games will be set up for visitors to play. There is a 25-participant maximum for this outdoor program. Social distancing will be required.
Date of Event:
Sat, 03/13/2021 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Start Location:
End of Visitor Center boardwalk
Park Maps and Brochures:
