Jockeys Ridge State Park
North Carolina's Outer Banks is home to one of the most amazing state parks on the entire east coast.
The park is known as Jockey's Ridge State Park.
The park runs from US-158 to the Roanoke Sound.
The park also is the southern border of the Nags Head Woods nature preserve.
The buffer provided by Jockeys Ridge allows for the delicate ecosystem of Nags Head Woods to survive.
Jockeys Ridge State Park is the largest sand dune along the east coast.
Being the largest sand dune allows it to provide an amazing amount of protection for the animals that survive within its borders.
When viewing Jockey's Ridge from one of its many peaks, ones impression is that of a vast desert.
This initial impression is merely a mirage once one starts exploring the inner sanctuary of the park.
The valleys beneath each of the massive sand peaks, often harbor abundant vegetation.
This vegetation provides shelter and food for many of the parks inhabitants.
If you are to walk down through these valleys of vegetation you can feel the change in temperature offered by the shade.
The cooling afforded by the shade allows much of the wildlife an escape from the relentless summer heat.
A number of animals make up the park's inhabitants.
These animals include: six-lined racerunners, hog nose snakes, raccoons, opossums, red and gray foxes, rabbits, white tailed deers, and numerous birds.
Most of the parks inhabitants are nocturnal.
It is rare for those visiting the park to view any of its inhabitants.
One of the most amazing natural occurrences in Jockey's Ridge are fulgurites.
Fulgurites are caused by lightning strikes into the sand.
The sand is fused when hit by the lightning.
Since everything inside the park is part of the park it is illegal to remove any fulgurites.
If you are lucky enough to find one be sure to alert a park official.
Jockeys Ridge is also dog friendly.
If you have your four legged friend with you, they can join you in enjoying Jockeys Ridge.
If you have an opportunity to visit the Outer Banks, be sure to take some time out of your stay to visit Jockeys Ridge State Park.
After one visit to the park you will want to return year after year to take in the ever changing beauty of nature.
The park is known as Jockey's Ridge State Park.
The park runs from US-158 to the Roanoke Sound.
The park also is the southern border of the Nags Head Woods nature preserve.
The buffer provided by Jockeys Ridge allows for the delicate ecosystem of Nags Head Woods to survive.
Jockeys Ridge State Park is the largest sand dune along the east coast.
Being the largest sand dune allows it to provide an amazing amount of protection for the animals that survive within its borders.
When viewing Jockey's Ridge from one of its many peaks, ones impression is that of a vast desert.
This initial impression is merely a mirage once one starts exploring the inner sanctuary of the park.
The valleys beneath each of the massive sand peaks, often harbor abundant vegetation.
This vegetation provides shelter and food for many of the parks inhabitants.
If you are to walk down through these valleys of vegetation you can feel the change in temperature offered by the shade.
The cooling afforded by the shade allows much of the wildlife an escape from the relentless summer heat.
A number of animals make up the park's inhabitants.
These animals include: six-lined racerunners, hog nose snakes, raccoons, opossums, red and gray foxes, rabbits, white tailed deers, and numerous birds.
Most of the parks inhabitants are nocturnal.
It is rare for those visiting the park to view any of its inhabitants.
One of the most amazing natural occurrences in Jockey's Ridge are fulgurites.
Fulgurites are caused by lightning strikes into the sand.
The sand is fused when hit by the lightning.
Since everything inside the park is part of the park it is illegal to remove any fulgurites.
If you are lucky enough to find one be sure to alert a park official.
Jockeys Ridge is also dog friendly.
If you have your four legged friend with you, they can join you in enjoying Jockeys Ridge.
If you have an opportunity to visit the Outer Banks, be sure to take some time out of your stay to visit Jockeys Ridge State Park.
After one visit to the park you will want to return year after year to take in the ever changing beauty of nature.
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