5 Inspiring Parks on Georgia's Coast
Don't miss the scenic views and recreational fun at these coastal Georgia parks.
Full of natural and cultural wonders, coastal Georgia is a traveler's dream destination. Historic cities, small towns, unspoiled beaches and unending scenic beauty can keep visitors mesmerized.
For those who love to spend time outdoors, the region's parks are not to be missed. From the world-famous Forsyth Park in Savannah to the coast's oldest English fort, coastal Georgia's parks are full of delightful surprises.
Add these five parks to your must-see list for your next trip to the Georgia coast.
Sunset at Crooked River State Park in St. Marys, Georgia. Photo by @katieclenney
1. Crooked River State Park in St. Marys
This park's spectacular sunrises and sunsets are worth seeing. Find a campsite surrounded by picturesque palmettos and Spanish moss-draped oaks to pitch your tent, or reserve a cottage near the water. Go fishing on the tidal river (the on-site bait shop has you covered), or meander through the maritime forest and salt marsh.
Just down the road, you’ll find the ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore. Plan a day trip to explore the island’s secluded beaches, incredible biodiversity, and historic sites. The National Park Service offers on-island walking tours led by their rangers. The Footsteps Tours are a free service and a great way to learn more about the island. For an overview of the island’s historic sites, book a guided walking experience with Molly’s Old South Tours. Or, you can take the Lands and Legacies Tour in a passenger van led by a tour guide.
Explore more: How to Spend One Amazing Day on Cumberland Island
Forsyth Park Fountain in Savannah, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones
2. Forsyth Park in Savannah
Encompassing 30 acres, take in the towering live oaks and colorful azaleas as you stroll, bike, or rollerblade Savannah's largest and oldest public park. Don't miss the fragrant garden for the blind and the iconic 1858 fountain, a must-photograph spot. At any given time, the park hosts concerts and recreational sports, and on Saturdays, swing by to catch the farmers market.
Stop into Leopold's Ice Cream for a scoop of tutti frutti or butter pecan to enjoy as you stroll Savannah's historic streets, and be sure to make your way down Broughton Street and to City Market for amazing shopping. Check out the sights and sounds on historic cobblestone River Street and at the modern Plant Riverside District, where restaurants and shops overlook the Savannah River.
Explore more: Guide to Savannah
Children at Fort King George in Darien, Georgia. Photo by @2traveldads
3. Fort King George State Historic Site in Darien
The Georgia coast's oldest English fort, dating back to the 1700s, is this coastal park's centerpiece. Visitors are invited to enjoy both original and recreated buildings, the glittering Altamaha River, and myriad migratory birds. Kids will love playing in the recreated blockhouse and other fort buildings. Enlist them as junior rangers to get them fully engaged and immersed in the fort's history (program booklets are free and available at the visitors’ center). The site is also a part of the Colonial Coast Birding Trail.
Nearby, a day trip to Sapelo Island is the perfect way to escape the world for a few hours. Board the ferry in Meridian and take the day tour of Reynolds Mansion, or book a private tour of the small community of Hog Hammock and the natural side of Sapelo Island. Seek out the Sapelo Island Shell Ring Complex, where you’ll find three donut-shaped mounds that rise about 20 feet above the tidal marsh just off the coast. Thought to be constructed by the oldest Native American civilization in Georgia, the rings have been carbon-dated to 2170 BC.
Explore more: 25 Things to Do at Georgia's State Parks
Dog sitting by the water at Laura S. Walker State Park in Waycross, Georgia. Photo by @christiane.henderson
4. Laura S. Walker State Park in Waycross
Located near the northern edge of the mysterious Okefenokee Swamp, this 626-acre park offers a variety of activities from fishing to golfing, skiing and boating, and even a dog park for your four-legged friends. Walk or bike along the lake's edge and nature trail, where you may spot the shy gopher tortoise, numerous oak varieties, saw palmettos, yellow-shafted flickers, warblers, owls, and great blue herons.
Nearby, you can take a boat tour with Okefenokee Adventures at the eastern entrance to the swamp to see alligators, turtles, all kinds of wildlife, and learn about the history and geological makeup of the swamp. If you go to the eastern entrance of the swamp, be sure to take the boardwalk from the old Chesser Homestead to the lookout tower for a bird's-eye view of the Okefenokee.
Explore more: Extraordinary Escapes at Georgia State Parks
Family hiking at Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah, Georgia
5. Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah
The allure of the coast draws guests to this park bordering Georgia's Intracoastal Waterway. From trails through the maritime forest to a boardwalk over the water, you might see coastal wildlife, including fiddler crabs, egrets, and more.
If you need a beach break, Tybee Island's beaches are less than an hour away. This barrier island is home to more than three miles of beautiful beaches, each with its own personality. The island's rich history, lively locals and a plethora of outdoor activities will keep you busy, no matter your interest. North Beach is where you'll find the Tybee Island Lighthouse and Tybee Island Marine Science Center. South Beach is Tybee's most popular beach, with more crowds and activity than anywhere else on the island; you'll enjoy walking the iconic Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion and shopping along Tybrisa Street.
Explore more: Guide to Tybee Island
