The Altamaha River shapes the natural landscape of Wayne County: It forms the county’s northeastern boundary, along which it stretches for more than 60 miles. Its corridor includes hardwood bottomland forests, cypress swamps, historic rice fields, and tidal marshes. These landscapes make the river a distinctive starting point for getting to know the natural region.
The Altamaha River is free-flowing; the Nature Conservancy has designated it one of the “75 Last Great Places on Earth.” The Little Satilla River is also a protected river corridor. Paddlers and anglers use both rivers year-round. The Altamaha also offers opportunities for boating, water skiing, camping, swimming, and fishing.
River Landscapes and Natural Areas
Two Wildlife Management Areas give a clear sense of the scale of the county’s natural areas. The Sansavilla Wildlife Management Area lies along the Altamaha River and covers 16,867 acres. The Little Satilla Wildlife Management Area covers 17,810 acres and is known for its varied landscapes. Bald eagles and swallow-tailed kites are examples of birds mentioned as wildlife-viewing targets in the county.
Cycling on trails in the county is also among the outdoor activities Wayne County offers. So the river and landscape are not only for water-based activities: natural areas, river corridors, and bike trails offer different themes for planning a trip, without requiring you to follow a set route.
Water Access and Riverfront Sites
In Wayne County, four public and one private boat ramp provide access to the Altamaha River. Some sites have additional amenities: Jaycee Landing offers camping, a bait shop, a boardwalk, a boat ramp, a floating dock, and a picnic pavilion. Oglethorpe Bluff Landing Boat Ramp has two lanes and is also known locally as Pig Farm Landing.
Lake Lindsay Grace is a 240-acre lake with three boat ramps providing access to the water. Upper County Landing offers a view of the river, a picnic area, and a nature trail. The sites described here offer different features, from water access and amenities at the landings to river views and a nature trail.
Jesup: Railroad and Architectural History
In Jesup, the railroad depot tells the story of the county’s railroad history. The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad built it in 1903. The restored depot includes a passenger waiting room, a community room, and the Wayne County Board of Tourism Welcome Center. At the Wayne County Railfan Platform, visitors can watch trains beneath a shaded shelter and listen to radio communications between the engineers and train crews of passing Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, and CSX trains.
The architecture also offers specific details to look out for: the Wayne County Courthouse has a tall clock tower topped by a pyramid-shaped roof and an open belfry. The original Jesup Water Tower at the Jesup Water Works Center was built in 1912 as part of Jesup’s water supply system. The Jesup Goldfish Pond was given to the school by the Jesup High School class of 1936.
Other homes tell stories of local people and architectural styles. The Clary Whaley House was the home of Willis Clary, Jesup’s first mayor. The John W.C. Trowell House is a building in the Classical Queen Anne Victorian style. Together with the depot and water tower, these sites show different aspects of local history: railroads, municipal infrastructure, notable people, and architecture.
County History and Events
At Doctortown, a historic monument stands on U.S. 301 on the north side of the river, near the site of a Confederate victory. A permit is required to visit the Doctortown Battlefield Park west of the railroad trestle. If you plan to visit this site, be sure to account for the permit requirement beforehand.
Jesup hosts PorchFest every year. Musical groups perform on the lawns and porches of Old Town Jesup; the event is approved or supported by the city. The Wayne County Catfish Tournament is also held annually in Jesup. In Screven, there is a viewing area for railroad enthusiasts at Martha Frazier Fisher Park on Martha Street; the town also hosts an annual Independence Day celebration. If an event is the reason for your trip, check the relevant dates when planning.
Explore more destinations: Jesup, Bartow, Coweta, Whitfield, Stephens County, Forsyth, Emanuel, Butts.
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