This Quiet Georgia City Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers
Amid the marshy, quiet low country of Georgia lies the small town of St. Marys, a nature lover's dream. Home to fewer than 20,000 residents, this underrated gem of a town tends to fly under the radar, helping preserve its pristine natural treasures, such as the undeveloped beaches of Cumberland Island, the ruins of McIntosh Sugar Mill Park, and the maritime forests of Crooked River State Park. If you are the kind of traveler who prefers nature and the road less traveled, St. Marys should be on your itinerary.
Parks and Green Spaces
St. Marys boasts eight parks within its city limits, ensuring that visitors are never far from green spaces. One of the most picturesque parks in town is St. Marys Waterfront Park, also known as Howard Gilman Memorial Park, located along the St. Marys River. This park features boardwalks, piers, and a public boat launch, making it ideal for exploring the water. It is a popular spot for watching shrimp boats drift by or enjoying a beautiful sunset. Due to its stunning views, the park is often chosen for weddings and other special events.
If you are interested in history, spend an hour or two at McIntosh Sugar Mill Park, also referred to as the Tabby Ruins. This park is home to the remains of an old sugar factory built in the late 1820s. The well-preserved tabby structure is one of the finest in the Southeast, with exceptionally thick walls designed to retain heat for sugar production. Amenities at this park include restrooms, a picnic area, and a nature trail.
Additionally, St. Marys offers excellent sports facilities at St. Marys REC Authority Park. Here, visitors can enjoy various activities, including youth baseball fields, a basketball court, a football field, an open-air pavilion, a playground, and a skatepark.
Hiking and Walking Trails
St. Marys is continually improving its trails for residents and visitors, with the St. Marys Tabby Trail, currently under development, as a prime example. Considered by the city to be an “educational and scenic work in progress”, this 11-mile-long multi-use trail stretches from St. Marys Waterfront Park to Crooked River State Park, connecting some of the town’s best natural highlights together. Restrooms are available along the path, and a bike repair station is available in St. Marys Waterfront Park.
To enjoy the beautiful Maritime forests that surround St. Marys, travelers can spend a day hiking at Crooked River State Park. This park offers several hiking trails, including Palmetto Trail, River Trail, Bay Boardwalk Trail, Sempervirens Trail, and the most recently added: Storybook Trail. Some of the natural features visitors can appreciate on hikes include salt marshes, Spanish moss-draped oaks, and palmettos. There are a number of bird species to keep your eye out for as well, including the red-bellied woodpecker, flicker, yellowthroat warbler, and sapsucker.
Those looking for a more laid-back walk through town will appreciate the St Mary's History walking trail. Starting at the corner of Bartlett St. & W. St. Marys Street, this short, 600-foot trail outlines the town's history through 24 educational panels that dive into the area’s past.
Water-Based Activities
Located on Georgia’s coastal plain in the Low Country, St. Marys is surrounded by marshes and waterways, offering endless opportunities for water-based recreation. Intermediate or advanced kayakers will enjoy a trip along the Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail, a 100-mile trail that starts in the St. Marys River Sound and ends at the Savannah River Sound in the north. Those who need to rent a kayak or prefer a guided tour can book a trip with one of the town’s kayak rentals, such as Up The Creek Xpeditions, which offers guided kayaking tours for groups and families, visiting destinations like Crooked River State Park, Cumberland Island, and Big Talbot Island State Park.
When the weather heats up, a refreshing swim might be just what you need. Make sure to plan a day at the St. Marys Aquatic Center in the summer, a 7-acre recreational water facility that includes attractions like a lazy river, a twister slide, a lap pool, and a splash pad for the kids. The facility’s shaded cabanas are the perfect place for the adults to relax while the kids enjoy the water. The aquatic center opens each year on May 1st.
Wildlife and Birdwatching at Cumberland Island National Seashore
The wet, coastal ecosystem of St. Marys attracts an incredible variety of animal species. In addition to the aforementioned Crooked River State Park, Cumberland Island National Seashore is another one of the area’s top spots to observe native wildlife. This island lies just seven miles from town and is accessible solely by boat or ferry. Visitors who wish to travel to the island via ferry can board the St. Marys and Cumberland Island Ferry, which departs from downtown.
This barrier reef island is one of the largest off the Georgia coast and features underdeveloped beaches, maritime forests, and extensive marshes that will make visitors feel as though they have stepped back in time to a world before modernization. In fact, 9,800 acres of the island have been designated as wilderness by Congress. Cumberland Island is unbelievably diverse, home to 30 mammal species, 55 reptilian and amphibian species, more than 300 bird species, and 500 plant species. Some of the highlights include feral horses, sea turtles, alligators, armadillos, peregrine falcons, black skimmers, and painted buntings.
Some of the best trips happen when you think outside the box. Whether you prefer to peacefully stroll along the boardwalk at St. Marys Waterfront Park or kayak a section of the Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail, St. Marys offers a unique experience. No matter how you choose to explore the outdoors, you are sure to have an unexpected yet beautiful adventure in this charming southeastern Georgia town.
