The use of rifled cannons in the siege of Fort Pulaski made it a landmark experiment in military science and the history of invention. Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on the Savannah River, a few miles from its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean. Here, a river landscape meets a significant episode in military history.

A paved path leads from the parking lot and visitor center to the monument; exhibit rooms and casemates have ramps. Check current conditions before your visit. Those interested in the fort’s history will find a specific historical focus in the siege and the use of rifled cannons.

Salt Marshes, Forests and Trails

Maritime forest and salt marshes shape the landscape at Skidaway Island State Park. The trails offer opportunities to observe wildlife. The one-mile Sandpiper Trail Loop links these habitats: this accessible loop passes over salt marshes and tidal creeks and through maritime forest.

McQueen’s Trail is a longer route through marshland and tidal waters. It is just over six miles long and passes habitats for native wildlife. Walking, running and cycling are allowed; motorized vehicles are not. Important for planning: access is available only at the eastern end, at the entrance to Fort Pulaski National Monument. Sandpiper Trail and McQueen’s Trail therefore differ not only in length but also in the access described here.

Other nature trails offer different distances: the two-mile nature trail at Oatland Island Wildlife Center is a loop through maritime forest. Jay Wolf Nature Trail offers about 1.5 miles of trail through maritime forest and salt marshes. If you’re comparing several trails, their lengths and the landscapes mentioned provide a concrete guide without specifying a walking time.

Parks for Recreation and Time Outdoors

Tom Triplett Community Park includes about 200 acres of public green space in Chatham County. Its 19-acre lake offers opportunities to fish for catfish, bass and bream. A 1.5-mile loop can be used for walking, jogging and skating. The park also has a cultural connection: Tom Triplett Park is a recognized stop on the Civil War Heritage Trail.

At L. Scott Stell Park, a paved walking path runs for over a mile around a freshwater lake; there is also a fitness trail. An archery range and a wooded archery course add to the available activities. The boat ramp is intended for small boats without gasoline motors. The park thus combines a waterside loop with opportunities for exercise and archery.

Al Bungard Conservation Area has walking trails and picnic areas. Fishing is possible from bridges and shorelines, as well as from kayaks and canoes. Chatham County’s nature preserves also offer views of the landscape and opportunities to observe diverse wildlife. Whitemarsh Nature Preserve has a clear access restriction: because the trails are unlit, it is accessible only during daylight.

The Robert McCorkle Bike Trail is another part of the picture. It is 3.4 miles long and ends at Savannah Country Club; a spur on Cromwell Road adds 0.37 miles. Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens covers more than 50 acres.

Places and Traces of History

Wormsloe Historic Site preserves the tabby ruins of Noble Jones’s fortified house. Shuttle tours depart from the visitor center every 30 minutes; check current tour details before your visit. The Big Ferry Trail offers more glimpses of history: it passes shell mounds, former distillery sites and Civil War earthworks.

Admission to Tybee Light Station & Museum includes the entire Tybee Island Light Station and the Tybee Museum at Battery Garland. Check current visitor details in advance. The Tybee Island Black History Trail offers another historical perspective: it documents the arrival of enslaved Africans at the Lazaretto Creek Quarantine Station. History and architecture are the focus at the publicly accessible Massie Heritage Center, which has six galleries.

The Canal Museum explores local history and culture. If you’d like to include a short nature walk in your plans, Halfmoon Lake Trail offers a 1,000-meter walk through nature. Historical interpretation and a trail with a specific distance offer two different ideas for your visit.

Explore more destinations: Pooler, Savannah, Tybee Island, Port Wentworth, Georgetown, Troup, Pike County, Haralson County.

For the overview of the wider area: Georgia.