Explorations of one of Georgia’s Golden Isles!
Jekyll Island is one of the many barrier islands along the Atlantic Coast. It is known for its mild winters, beaches and marshes. It’s also the weirdest state park I have been to in a while. The entire island is technically owned by the state of Georgia, but its run independently by an governing body. It’s more of a resort. In fact, a bunch of rich guys founded the Jekyll Club on the island. There are major chain hotels, houses, restaurants, etc. It’s an obvious resort area. Not my normal cup of tea, but the nature side of the park was fantastic.
The Jekyll Island Campground was also great, but only the tent sites. If you take a trailer or RV, expect to be packed in like sardines. I probably only got a reservation because I use a tent to camp.
I picked the perfect time to go. It was soooo foggy. I love it. I rushed out in the morning to get to the shore before the fog lifted. I was not disappointed. The entire island is ringed by a bike/pedestrian trail. I took that trail north from Driftwood Beach through the marsh and looped back by the beach.

Foggy days at the marsh are perfection.

Dead trees in the marsh.

Just some Ibis chilling out in the marsh.

This is only cool looking because of the fog.

Gorgeous.

Mirror like water.

Maritime forest.

Can’t be coastal Georgia without some Spanish moss.

Creek through the marsh.

Made it to the beach. The beach is littered with stumps of dead trees.

Willet looking for food.

Adorable little Sanderling.

A dolphin came out of nowhere near the shore. This was the best picture I got.

No fog on this side.

But the sun and fog make some cool visual effects on this side.

Stumps from trees long gone.

Very cool.

A forest disappearing.

Just a bit creepy looking here.

Very eerie.

Moving inland. I pulled into this parking lot to turn around, but checked out Horton Pond first.

A gator chilling with some turtles.

The historic Horton House, home of Major William Horton, the first English resident of the island. The house was made from tabby, a type of shell and sand mixture used in construction where stone was hard to find.

There’s a short trail that connects Horton Pond and Horton House.

Some good Spanish moss.

Came across this Whitetail deer. Looking closely at the photo, it seems that he has very small antler buds. I saw him again when I turned around.

The Old Plantation Road.

Even though it was a short trail, it was a gorgeous one.

Before lunch, I stopped and explored the Historic District a bit. This is where the club and its rich members had houses. I think this one was similar to a hotel.

Indian Mound Cottage.

The Jekyll Island Club.

Dubignon Cottage.

St. Andrew’s Beach on the south end of the island.

Which is also covered with dead trees.

The Jekyll Sound was super calm.
Jekyll Island was a great visit. I chose Jekyll Island because it had an opening in the campground last minute. I’m glad I went. I needed some nature therapy and this was a great place to get it. If you are into riding bikes, you will also love this island.
Check out my next update where I find myself in Rome!
or
Explore other parks or public lands!