Georgia State Parks Along The Georgia Coast

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources maintains three state parks, one historic park and several historic sites along the Georgia coast. Opportunities for energy-intensive sports on both land and water range from biking to scuba diving. Hiking, swimming and fishing are popular pastimes for residents and visitors alike on the Georgia coast, and state parks make outdoor recreation affordable and convenient.

Accommodations

Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah has 87 tent, trailer and RV campsites with full hookups, cable TV, picnic tables, grills and a bath house with laundry facilities. The park has three playgrounds and an interpretive center. All campsites are pull-through.
Fort McAllister in Richmond Hill has 65 campsites on the tidal creek with full water and electrical hookups and three cottages on stilts at the edge of the marsh. The bath house has laundry facilities. A fishing pier is near the campground.
Sapelo Island does not offer individual campsites but does have a pioneer campground for groups of 15 to 25. The park can only be reached by ferry boat.
Crooked River State Park is near the Florida border, in St. Mary's. The park has 62 tent, trailer and RV campsites and 11 river-view cottages. Campsites have water and electrical hookups, picnic tables and grills. The comfort station has laundry facilities. Cottages are fully equipped and have heat and air conditioning.

Trails

Hike the 1-mile Sandpiper Nature Trail or the 3-mile Big Ferry Trail at Skidaway Island State Park. The trails run through marshlands and forest. Observation towers are scattered along the trails. Biking is allowed on Big Ferry but not on Sandpiper Trail.
Fort McAllister's 1,725 acres include 4.3 miles of hiking and biking trails. Guided walking tours and candlelight tours of the fort are available.
Sapelo Island has several designated walking and biking trials through the marsh and close to the beach.
Crooked River State Park has four trails for hiking, biking and observation. The Palmetto Trail takes you through the south Georgia pine flatwoods, an ecosystem with the most severe decline on earth. The Sempervirens Trail wanders through old-growth hardwoods and River Trail leads you on a brief hike down into the marsh and back. The Bay Boardwalk Trail goes through the bay forest ecosystem with its hardwoods and evergreens. Bike rental is available.

Fishing

Fort McAllister has boat ramps and docks so you can fish on the water or from the dock. Saltwater fishing is available at Crooked River. Both Crooked River and Fort McAllister have a fishing tackle loaner program.
Fish for catfish, bream, crappie and bass in the freshwater rivers and streams, or head out on a boat from Skidaway or Fort McAllister to hunt spot, red and black drum or sea bass in the deep waters and reefs of the Atlantic Ocean.

Water Sports

Crooked River Park has several outfitter companies nearby that can help you take a canoe or kayak trip. Boat ramps and docks give easy access to the water.
Skidaway and Fort McAllister are close to Tybee Island. Spend the day on the beach swimming, surfing or playing beach volleyball, or go out on the water in your personal watercraft for skiing, scuba diving or parasailing. Charter a boat or sign up for one of the dolphin sighting tours that leave from Lazaretto Creek or Bull Creek marinas.

Birding

The Colonial Coast Birding Trail runs from Fort Pulaski National Monument and Tybee Island North Beach down to Crooked River State Park and west into the Okefenokee Swamp. More than 300 species of native and migratory birds can be watched along the trail's 18 sites. Bald eagles, great blue heron, woodpeckers, brown thrashers---the state bird of Georgia---blue jays, cardinals, swallowtails and others can be spotted almost year-around.
Skidaway Island and Fort McAllister provide observation towers. Skidaway's nature center features a birding station, nature exhibits and a reptile room.