Southeast Georgia's Unspoiled Outdoors

Fishing and Hunting

Your nearest option for water sports (assuming you want to leave the 38-acre lake at your backdoor), the Altamaha River may be accessed by a short drive southeast along U.S. Highway 341 to Altamaha Park. Launch your boat at the ramp, get bait and tips from the friendly store manager, and head out in search of largemouth bass, crappie or flathead catfish. The Altamaha, designated by the Nature Conservancy as one of 75 Last Great Places in the world, teems with wildlife, including alligators and wild turkey. The river also offers a perfect place for flatwater kayaking and canoeing, camping, waterskiing and wakeboarding. For access to the river farther upstream, travel up 341 to Jesup and visit Jaycee Landing.

For saltwater sports, head to Brunswick and the Golden Isles (St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island). Local marinas provide boat rentals and guides, or set out for yourself to explore the tidal creeks. Inshore species include trout, whiting and flounder. King mackerel is an offshore favorite. The Golden Isles Kingfish Classic, held in early August, pits the region's best anglers against one another as they chase their sleek prey. Pier and bridge fishing is also available on the islands and along the causeways. Sailing, skiing, wakeboarding and just plain cruising are also good choices to make on a sunny day.

History

Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons offers a look into colonial life. Founded by Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe in 1736 as a buffer between Savannah and the Spanish to the south, the ruins of the garrison occupy a scenic spot along the Frederica River. On Jekyll, the Millionaires Village offers insight into the leisure activities of the "robber barons" of the late 19th Century, including the Rockefellers and the Vanderbilts. The rich and famous constructed lavish "cottages" in a small village on the Jekyll River, many of which are now open to the public. On the mainland, Brunswick streets and squares were laid out according to Oglethorpe’s plan for Savannah. Even today, they retain their English names, such as Hanover, Albemarle and Newcastle.

More Daytrips

Other daytrip options include the Okefenokee Swamp to the west near Waycross, the quaint shrimp fishing village of Darien to the north of Brunswick along U.S. Highway 17 and Cumberland Island National Seashore south of Brunswick, accessible only by ferry from St. Marys. St. Augustine in nearby Florida is a beautiful historic town with impressive Spanish Colonial and 19th century architecture.

Swamp Life
The Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was set up in 1936 to preserve the 400,000-plus acre bog. The interior 353,981 acres have been designated a National Wilderness Area. The peat-filled bog is approximately 7,000 years old and occupies a saucer-shaped depression that was once part of the ocean floor. The swamp's name was derived from a Choctaw word meaning "land of trembling earth." Drive west to visit historic Waycross and the swamp. Be prepared to view numerous large reptiles as the swamp is the home of many an alligator. Obediah's Okefenok Historical Theme Park provides an in-depth glimpse at the wildlife, plant-life and pioneer life in an around the swamp.

Coastal Charm
Darien, 18 miles north of Brunswick along U.S. Highway 17, dishes out old-style southern charm. Walk along the boardwalk on the Darien River and check out the shrimp fleet, or treat your taste buds to some of the savory local seafood available in the town's several restaurants. Now a sleepy village of antique shops and eateries, Darien once was a bustling port. Until the early part of the 20th century, ships from all over the world called on the port for loads of Georgia yellow pine harvested on the banks of the Altamaha and rafted down river to Darien. Fort King George is a state historical site on what once was a colonial garrison manned by Scottish Highlanders.

An Unspoiled Island
Truly, Cumberland Island can be called one of the gems of the East Coast. Georgia's southernmost barrier island is a National Seashore and remains largely undeveloped, making for long walks on wide, nearly deserted beaches and quiet nights around the campfire. Camping is permitted at a campground near the boat dock or at several primitive sites along the island's hiking trails. Wild horses roam the woods, dunes and beaches. Reservations are required and the island is accessible only by ferry. The ferry departs from St. Marys south of Brunswick and is worth a look itself.