Jekyll Island

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.

marsh. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Foggy days at the marsh are perfection.

marsh. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Dead trees in the marsh.

ibis in marsh. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Just some Ibis chilling out in the marsh.

marsh. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

This is only cool looking because of the fog.

marsh. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Gorgeous.

marsh. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Mirror like water.

marsh. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Maritime forest.

Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Can’t be coastal Georgia without some Spanish moss.

Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Creek through the marsh.

beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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

willet. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Willet looking for food.

sanderling. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Adorable little Sanderling.

dolphin. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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

beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

No fog on this side.

beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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

beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Stumps from trees long gone.

beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Very cool.

beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

A forest disappearing.

beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Just a bit creepy looking here.

beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Very eerie.

Horton Pond. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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

Horton Pond. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

A gator chilling with some turtles.

Horton House. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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.

trail. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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

trail. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Some good Spanish moss.

deer on trail. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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.

trail. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

The Old Plantation Road.

trail. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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

historic district. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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. historic district. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Indian Mound Cottage.

jekyll island club. historic district. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

The Jekyll Island Club.

dubignon cottage. historic district. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Dubignon Cottage.

St. Andews Beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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

St. Andews Beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

Which is also covered with dead trees.

St. Andews Beach. Jekyll Island, GeorgiaJana Irving

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!

 

 

About Wandering Jana

Traveling the world to discover the past.
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