North Carolina is a wonderful place to enjoy the hot springs and the spellbinding Whitewater Falls. It’s a perfect place to explore its miniature desert - Jockey's Ridge, known to be the remaining dunes on the Outer Banks reaching 100 feet tall at times.

Jockey’s Ridge is a wonderful place to enjoy the tallest active sand dune system in the Eastern United States. During winter, the wind blows from the northeast, while in summer, it blows from the southwest, which means that the sand is always blown back and forth. Since the ridge is constantly changing, many refer to it as ‘The Living Dune.’ On the other hand, the name "Jockey’s Ridge" probably originates from the early inhabitants’ practice of capturing wild ponies and riding them on the sand dunes.

UPDATE: 2023/01/19 20:31 EST BY AARON SPRAY

More Deserts To Discover Around The United States

The United States has a number of stunning deserts to explore. Some of them are true deserts, while others are not true deserts (like Hawaii's Kau Desert and North Carolina's Jockey’s Ridge). This article was updated and expanded with more of the stunning deserts to discover around the United States and why they are worth visiting.

Historical And Geological Facts About Jockey's Ridge State Park

The 427-acre Jockey's Ridge State Park was established in 1975, thanks to the tireless efforts of many locals who emancipated to protect the area's unique geological values. As there were several developments threatening the environment, one local named Carolista Baum mustered the courage to investigate the situation. She stood firm in the path of a bulldozer on the construction site, and eventually, that forced the operator to shut down the machine. From that point, many joined the force to protect the area, and as a result, land for the park was bought through local nations and from many organizations.

Many geologists believe that the sand dunes were formed when strong water currents from hurricanes and storms washed sand from large offshore shoals onto the beach. With time, the wind picked up the sand and blew it inland, which consequently created the dunes that now span along the Outer Banks coastline. Some researchers believe that sand dunes were formed around 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.

Today, many visitors come here with their families to enjoy the unspoiled setting and the amazing view of the surroundings, including the vast ocean, Nags Head, and Kill Devil Hills towns. However, the majority of them come here to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, kite flying, hang gliding, sandboarding, and sunset viewing. Others also like to combine a luxurious stay in one of its many campsites while taking advantage of its beautiful topography made up of mountain towns and stunning beaches such as Wrightsville Beach.

Related: How To Hike To Lost Cove: North Carolina's Lawless Ghost Town

The Ecosystem Of Jockey's Ridge State Park

Jockey’s Ridge State Park consists of three main ecosystems, namely: the dunes, the maritime thicket, and the Roanoke Sound Estuary.

  • The Dunes: This park area consists of three distinct peaks of the sand dunes, which are always shifting. There is a lack of vegetation, which means visitors cannot see plants or animals on the trail. However, at the base of the dunes, there is a myriad of grasses and small plants, such as the American Beach Grass, which has a 40-foot-long root system. During heavy rainfalls, the base is normally flooded with temporary pools, which provide fresh water to the wildlife.
  • Maritime Thicket: This part of the park consists of a maritime forest consisting of trees such as oaks, red cedars, wax myrtles, bayberries, pines, and persimmons. Thanks to the height of the dune, which provides protection to this shoreline estuary against the wind and salt blowing off the ocean. Some of the wild animals that live here are foxes, deer, and raccoons.
  • Roanoke Sound Estuary: This estuary is home to various plants, animals, and bird species. Visitors can expect to see many waterfowl, giant cord grass, cattails, sawgrass, and fisheries. Other animals include hognose snakes, rabbits, opossums, white-tailed deer, and the six-lined race runner, which is the fastest lizard in North America with a sprint of 18 miles per hour if threatened.

Related: Visit This Gothic-Style Lighthouse In North Carolina's Outer Banks

Fun Activities To Do At The Park

When it comes to Jockey’s Ridge, visitors will be pampered by numerous activities. Right at the visitor’s center, there is a museum where many will be able to learn about the fauna and flora of the park, the geological features, and the local maritime history.

Visitors will be able to access the ridge area either from the back deck of the visitor center or the parking lot via the 350-foot-long (110 m) boardwalk.

Besides, there are also some fun activities to indulge in. One of the popular activities is hand-gliding. There is an on-site school that provides hand-gliding lessons in the park. Bird watching, kite flying, and sand boarding are other activities available. Some visitors also come here to view the spectacular sunset view over the mainland, where the golden hues are reflected in Roanoke Sound. Visitors who want to try kayaking, windsurfing, and swimming can access Soundside Road.

  • Address: 300 W Carolista Dr, Nags Head, NC 27959, United States
  • Admission Fee: There is no admission fee
  • Park Entrance: Located at Milepost 12 on S. Croatan Highway/US 158

Facilities include:

  • Picnic shelters
  • Visitor Center
  • Museum
  • Auditorium

Opening Hours:

  • November to February, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • March to April, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • May to September, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • October, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Closed Christmas Day
Road In The Sandstone Desert
Pixabay
Road In The Sandstone Desert

Not A True Desert - What To Know Of America's Deserts

While Jockey’s Ridge may resemble a desert, it is not a true desert. There is no universally accepted definition of what a desert is, but most experts agree that a desert is an area that receives no more than 10 inches or 25 centimeters of precipitation annually. There are a number of other false "deserts" to discover around the United States - one of which is the other-worldly Kaʻū Desert on Big Island in Hawaii.

The four main deserts of the United States are the Great Basin Desert, the Mojave Desert, the Chihuahuan Desert, and the Sonoran Desert. All of these deserts are different, and each should be visited. Of these deserts, the Sonoran arguably is the icon of the American Southwest (with cacti). Those staying in Las Vegas can also explore the Grand Basin National Park and discover America's high desert with its distinctive ecology.

Some people may think of deserts as being hot and inhospitable wastelands, but for many others, they boast rich ecosystems and are one of nature's great outdoor playgrounds.

Note: During summer, the environment can be quite harsh due to its high temperature, so it is important to bring drinking water. Also, there are no campgrounds.