Friends of Jockey's Ridge

06/12/2026

This month marks the 51st anniversary of Jockey's Ridge State Park, so we thought It was only fitting to share of photograph of the dunes for this week's . Jockey's Ridge was established as a North Carolina State Park in 1975, and has the distinction of being home to the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast!

AV.5191.071 - Jockeys Ridge - J F Scott Photo Collection, OBHC

06/08/2026

What a wonderful evening we had at our Membership Reception during Concert on the Dunes May 15th! Thank you to everyone who joined us and supports the preservation of this special place!
A special thank you to the volunteers who supported the reception, concert, parking and all the efforts made for a great evening of community and live music on the dunes!

Photos courtesy of Shooters at the Beach, Inc. - Professional Photography Services

06/05/2026

One Year Ago Today!
It is hard to believe it's been a year since we gathered to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jockey's Ridge State Park! It was a wonderful weekend filled with community, live music, recreational activities and a memorable drone show over the dunes! 🌅
We hope you will join us in celebrating 51 years of preserving and celebrating Jockey's Ridge by becoming a Member of Friends of Jockey's Ridge. Your Membership supports our daily efforts to keep Jockey's Ridge thriving for future generations to enjoy as we do today! SOS - Save Our Sand Dunes!
https://friendsofjockeysridge.org/join/

Photos by: Shooters at the Beach

06/03/2026

Friends of Jockey’s Ridge warmly invites our community to gather in celebration of the life of former Jockey’s Ridge State Park Superintendent and Friends of Jockey's Ridge Board Member George Barnes Saturday June 20 at 2:00 PM at Jockey’s Ridge State Park Visitor Center.

George’s passion for Jockey’s Ridge, his dedication to protecting this special place, and his kindness to all who knew him left an enduring mark on our park and our community. His legacy lives on in the dunes he helped preserve and in the many lives he touched through his years of service.

Please join family, friends, colleagues, and community members as we come together to share memories, honor George’s remarkable life, and celebrate the lasting impact he made on Jockey’s Ridge and beyond.

All are welcome as we remember a beloved steward, friend, and champion of Jockey’s Ridge.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this invitation with those who knew George and would like to celebrate his life.

Thank you to Coastal Review for this article about the life of George Barnes.

Sam Bland pays tribute to his recently deceased friend, George Grantham Barnes, who, as Jockeys Ridge State Park's first superintendent, leaves indelible footprints in the park's constantly shifting sands.

06/03/2026

The annual Killer Dunes 2 Mile Run and Color Fun Run is taking place July 3rd at Jockey's Ridge State Park!
For further information and to register today, visit: https://obxse.com/killer-dunes

Interested in becoming a Killer Dunes Sponsor? The Friends of Jockey's Ridge would love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

See you on the dunes! ✨

05/29/2026

This week, The Friends of Jockey’s Ridge, along with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, celebrated the completion of the new boardwalk at Jockey’s Ridge State Park with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony!

The expanded boardwalk now extends an additional 1,150 feet beyond the previous structure, providing direct access to the dunes and breathtaking views from the end gazebo. Designed with accessibility in mind, the new boardwalk features wheelchair-accessible ramps, along with shaded gazebos and benches for visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery.

If you’ve been thinking about visiting Jockey’s Ridge, now is the perfect time to experience this exciting new addition and explore the dunes in a whole new way in 2026.
See you on the dunes!🌅
Photos courtesy of Division of Parks and Recreation, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

05/19/2026

Concert On The Dunes view from the stage just after sunset on the ridge!
A very special thank you to the band Everything for coming out and giving us a great show!


Photo by Shooters at the Beach

05/16/2026

Thank you to all who attended and supported Concert On The Dunes last night at Jockey’s Ridge! More pictures to come! It was a beautiful evening at Jockey’s Ridge with live music, community and the dunes! 🌅