Jockey's Ridge is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States. Located in Nags Head, it is one of the most significant landmarks on the Outer Banks, North Carolina.



The Friends of Jockey's Ridge is a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the support and maintenance of programs and the development of facilities of Jockey's Ridge State Park. Their mission is to support, enhance and promote Jockey's Ridge State Park as a significant geologic feature of the Outer Banks, North Carolina.



From the earliest of times, Jockey's Ridge has been enjoyed by many natives and visitors to the Outer Banks. It is a unique park due to its geological features and due to its natural movement and change. To help establish the Park an earlier nonprofit organization, called the People to Preserve Jockeys Ridge, was formed in the early 1970's at a time when the dune was threatened with development for houses. As a result of their efforts, Jockey's Ridge became a State Park in 1975. Today the park is enjoyed and supported by more than 1 million annual visitors.