Jockey's Ridge is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States.
Its height varies from 80 to 100 feet, depending on weather conditions. Shifting maritime winds blow billions of grains of sand in different directions, constantly changing both the shape & size of the dune.
Jockey's Ridge is an example of a medano - a huge hill of shifting sand that lacks vegetation. There are several prominent sand dunes in the area; of them all, Jockey's Ridge is the most spectacular.
"There are many reasons why millions of people visit Jockey's Ridge. Some come to see the tallest sand dune on the Atlantic coast; others come for the spectacular sunsets. Others come because...
At Jockey's Ridge State Park, you can experience the world of the desert. Shifting sands, high winds, extreme temperatures and a lack of water make the parks resemble more barren environments such as the Sahara Desert.
At Jockey's Ridge State Park, you can explore the wonders of an estuarine environment. The tidal waters of the Roanoke Sound, the park's western boundary, is a rich habitat."
Many legends surround the origin of the name Jockey's Ridge.
The most popular is that the name of the dune is based upon the early inhabitants' practice of capturing wild ponies and racing them on the flat surface at the base of the dune.
The steep sides of the ridge served as a grandstand for spectators.
The most popular is that the name of the dune is based upon the early inhabitants' practice of capturing wild ponies and racing them on the flat surface at the base of the dune.
The steep sides of the ridge served as a grandstand for spectators.
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