Places › Jockey's Ridge State Park
Jockey's Ridge State Park is a North Carolina state park in Nags Head, Dare County, in our Coast region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.
- AdmissionFree day use
- HoursCloses 6 to 9 p.m.Opens 8 a.m., by month
- ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
- DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below
About Jockey's Ridge State Park
The tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast sits in the Outer Banks, a spot for kites and sunsets, with hang gliding lessons from a private concessionaire. A second access on Roanoke Sound is used for swimming, paddling, kiteboarding and windsurfing.
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Day-use admission is free.
Closes 6 to 9 p.m.Bring the Dog?
Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.
Full rules belowMake It a Trip
Pettigrew State Park is about 45 miles away (straight line).
0 units within 30 miles
Jockey's Ridge State Park Hours
The gate closes between 6 p.m. (Nov to Feb) and 9 p.m. (May to Sep). It opens 8 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:
Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| April | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| June | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| July | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| August | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| September | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| March | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| April | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| May | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| June | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| July | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| August | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| September | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
- Visitor Center: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The park is closed on Christmas Day.
- The park is open during all other holidays.
This park prints 2 hour tables because its accesses keep different gates; the first one is used for the tiles above.
Admission and Fees
There are no fees required to access Jockey's Ridge State Park for day use. Fees are charged for certain event permits and facility reservations.
Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.
Dogs and Strollers
- Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park, except they are not permitted inside buildings. Due to hot sand and sandspurs, we recommend protection for paws; sand temperatures may be as much as 30 degrees higher than air temperatures. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
- Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (252-573-6108) before you go.
Directions and Contact
- Address: 300 W. Carolista Drive, Nags Head, NC 27959
- Phone: 252-573-6108
- Map point: 35.96420,-75.63300. Latitude and longitude printed on the park's own ncparks.gov page, checked within 25 miles of the Nags Head town point (U.S. Census) and of the OpenStreetMap match. Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/jockeys-ridge-state-park
State Parks Near Jockey's Ridge State Park
- 1Pettigrew State ParkState Parkabout 45 mi
- 2Dismal Swamp State ParkState Parkabout 55 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Jockey's Ridge State Park?
Day-use admission is free, per the park page. Camping, boat rentals, swim passes, event permits and reservations can cost extra where the park offers them.
Are dogs allowed at Jockey's Ridge State Park?
Pets are allowed at the park, except they are not permitted inside buildings. Due to hot sand and sandspurs, we recommend protection for paws; sand temperatures may be as much as 30 degrees higher than air temperatures. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
What time does Jockey's Ridge State Park close?
It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.
Is Jockey's Ridge State Park open on Christmas?
The park is closed on Christmas Day.
Are strollers allowed at Jockey's Ridge State Park?
Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.
What We Could Not Verify
- Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Sources
- Jockey's Ridge State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
- NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
- OpenStreetMap (map point check)
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Jockey’s Ridge State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/jockeys-ridge-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.