Run Hill State Natural Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Tallest Dune on Atlantic Coast — 100-foot sand dune — the TALLEST natural sand dune on the US Atlantic coast, on the Outer Banks
Run Hill State Natural Area protects the tallest natural sand dune on the US Atlantic coast — a 100-foot-high dune on the Outer Banks between Kitty Hawk and Nags Head. This massive “medano” (migrating dune) moves southwest at 3–6 feet per year, burying everything in its path including 200-year-old maritime forest. Run Hill was named by the Wright Brothers era pilots who used the steep dune for practice runs. The dune is part of the Jockey’s Ridge dune complex — the largest natural sand dune system on the East Coast. The Outer Banks themselves are one of the most dynamic coastlines in the world.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Outer Banks, NC (Kitty Hawk!) |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Height | 100 feet — TALLEST on Atlantic! |
| Movement | Migrating 3–6 feet per year! |
About Run Hill
Run Hill State Natural Area on the Outer Banks in Dare County protects the tallest sand dune on the Outer Banks — rising nearly 100 feet above sea level. The dune, a remnant of the massive Jockey’s Ridge complex, provides critical habitat for rare plants adapted to the shifting sand. The Outer Banks are barrier islands constantly reshaped by wind and waves — Run Hill is a snapshot of this dynamic coastal process.
Things to Do
Hiking to the dune summit for panoramic views, observing sand-adapted plant species, birdwatching, nature photography, and studying barrier island dynamics on the Outer Banks.
Insider Tips
Living dune: Run Hill is the tallest natural sand dune system on the Outer Banks — reaching 90+ feet. Pro tip: The Outer Banks dunes are constantly moving — wind pushes sand westward, slowly migrating the entire barrier island system. Jockey’s Ridge: Nearby Jockey’s Ridge (100+ feet) is the tallest living dune on the East Coast — Run Hill is its wild, undeveloped counterpart.
Best Time to Visit
Fall: Comfortable weather and fewer crowds. Spring: Wildflowers in dune swales. Summer: Beach access. Winter: Dramatic dune landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do sand dunes move?
Wind pushes sand grains up the windward side of a dune and deposits them on the lee side — the dune slowly migrates downwind. On the Outer Banks, prevailing winds push dunes westward at 3-6 feet per year. Over centuries, migrating dunes have buried forests, roads, and buildings. Living dune systems are dynamic — they require wind and sand supply to survive. Stabilizing dunes with vegetation actually threatens the ecosystem.
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