Jockey's Ridge State Park - North Carolina

Jockey's Ridge attractions extend above and beyond its status as the largest natural sand dune system in the U.S. and home to the tallest single dune. The Park boasts the Tracks in the Sand hiking trail as well as a 360-foot boardwalk, which has great interactive displays. If flying is your fancy, try a hang-gliding lesson or fly a kite in the high winds. Water sports are also available at the sound-side of the park; kayaking, windsurfing and swimming are all park-goer favorites here. Jockey's Ridge is also home to plenty of wildlife, including the six-lined racerunner, the hognose snake and the luna moth. With all of these great recreational activities and natural diversity, there is plenty of fun to be had at this living dune State Park.

Letchworth State Park, renowned as the "Grand Canyon of the East," is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs--as high as 600 feet in some places--surrounded by lush forests. Hikers can choose among 66 miles of hiking trails. Trails are also available for horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Letchworth offers nature, history and performing arts programs, guided walks and tours, a summer lecture series, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hot air ballooning and two pools for swimming. Winter activities include ice skating, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and horse-drawn sleigh rides.