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. Home to fewer than 20,000 residents, this town often falls out of the spotlight, overshadowed by more well-known coastal cities like Savannah. But that’s actually to its advantage, resulting in the preservation of pristine natural treasures like the undeveloped beaches of Cumberland Island, the ruins of McIntosh Sugar Mill Park, and the maritime forests of Crooked River State Park. If you’re the kind of traveler who prefers the road less traveled, St. Marys should be on your itinerary for 2025.
Parks & Green Spaces
With eight parks all within the St Marys city limits, visitors will find that they are always close to a green space. Located in the heart of town, along the St. Marys River, lies St. Marys Waterfront Park, which is arguably one of the town’s most scenic parks. This park, also sometimes referred to as Howard Gilman Memorial Park, offers boardwalks, piers, and a public boat launch for exploring the water. It is also a great place to watch shrimp boats drift by or catch the sunset at the end of the day. Because of its gorgeous views, it is not uncommon to see weddings or other special events take place in the park as well!
If you enjoy history, you will love spending an hour or two at the McIntosh Sugar Mill Park, also known as the Tabby Ruins. This park is home to the ruins of an old sugar factory that was built in the late 1820s. Its well-preserved tabby structure, one of the best in the Southeast, features exceptionally thick walls, likely designed to retain the heat needed for sugar production. Some of the amenities in this park include restrooms, a picnic area, and a nature trail.
The town of St. Marys is also equipped with fantastic sports facilities, located in St. Marys REC Authority Park. Here, visitors can enjoy a friendly game or match with amenities like youth baseball fields, a basketball court, a football field, an open-air pavilion, a playground, and a skatepark.
Hiking & 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 to choose from, including Palmetto Trail, River Trail, Bay Boardwalk Trail, Sempervirens Trail, and the most recently added: Storybook Trail. Some of the natural features that visitors can appreciate during their 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 laidback walk through town will appreciate the St Marys 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 region, St. Marys is surrounded by marshes and waterways, meaning that there are 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 & Birdwatching at Cumberland Island National Seashore
The wet, coastal ecosystem of St. Marys attracts an incredible variety of animal species to the area. 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 the downtown area. This barrier reef island is one of the largest off of 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 species of reptiles and amphibians, more than 300 bird species, and 500 species of plants. Some of the highlights include feral horses, sea turtles, alligators, armadillos, peregrine falcons, black skimmers, and painted buntings.
Final Thoughts
Some of the best trips take place when you think outside of the box. Whether you want to peacefully stroll along the boardwalk of St. Marys Waterfront Park or kayak along a portion of the Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail, the town of St. Marys offers an experience that feels different from most. No matter how you choose to explore the outdoors, you’re sure to have an unexpected yet beautiful adventure in the southeast Georgia town of St. Marys.
