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Tracks in the Sand Trail

Jockey's Ridge State Park
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Current status of park facilities   

The main park entrance and dune are open from 8:00am to 9:00pm. The Soundside access and swim beach are open from 8:00am to 7:00pm. 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. 

After 27 years, our Visitors’ Center is being renovated! Please excuse our appearance while we are remodeling. From May 24, 2021 until April 2022, the Visitors’ Center will be closed to the public. However, the Park, the public restroom building located near the visitors’ center, and the Soundside Access will be open during normal operating hours. We apologize for any convenience.

Trails and restrooms at both park accesses are open. Please follow the 3-Ws and any posted guidelines. 

With 24-hour advance notice, and dependant upon weather and ranger availability, 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: Friday, May 7, 2021

Park Maps and Brochures:

Upcoming Events:

Monday, May 17, 2021 - 3:00pm
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 - 2:00pm
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 3:00pm

Tracks in the Sand Trail

Tracks in the Sand is a self-guided trail with educational brochures available at the trailhead display. The route is marked with directional arrows and leads to the Roanoke Sound. There are views along the way of the tallest dunes in the park to the south. 

 

Trail Location: 
Southwest Corner of Main Parking Lot
Trail Point of Interest: 
Roanoke Sound and Views of Dunes
Trail Length: 
1.20 miles
Trail Type: 
loop
Trail Difficulty: 
moderate hike
Trail Use: 
Hiking
TRACK Trail
Trail Surface: 
sand

Map of North Carolina – Jockey's Ridge State Park


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