RT Fort King George State Historic Site

Reconstructed colonial-era fort featuring a blockhouse, barracks, museum, and nature trails that interpret early British military presence and coastal history.

General Information

Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Fees:

Adults: $8.25
Seniors (62+): $6.25
Youth (6–17): $4.75
Children under 6: $2.75

Pet Policy:

Pets allowed on trails; not permitted inside buildings

Closest cities with hotels:

Darien, GA (1 mi)
Brunswick, GA (15 mi)

Seasons:

All year; spring and fall are ideal

Location:

gastateparks.org/FortKingGeorge

How to Get There

From Savannah, GA (60 mi): Take I-95 S to exit 49 for GA-251 toward Darien, continue on GA-251 S, then turn left onto McIntosh Rd SE to reach the site.

Overview

Fort King George State Historic Site preserves the oldest English fort on Georgia's coast — a reconstructed 1721 outpost that was the southernmost point of the British Empire in North America until 1736. Perched along the Altamaha River, the site pairs colonial military history with tabby ruins, old sawmill remnants, and coastal nature trails.

Things to Do

Explore Georgia's Oldest English Fort

Walk through the reconstructed barracks, officers' quarters, blockhouse, guardhouse, moat, and palisaded fort to experience life on the colonial frontier.

Visit the Museum and Learn the Site's History

The site's museum and orientation film cover the Guale Indians, Spanish missions, the fort itself, Darien's Scottish settlers, and the 19th-century lumber industry that turned the area into a major seaport — context for the hardships faced by soldiers stationed at this remote outpost and its role in Georgia's colonial and coastal history.

Top Trails

Fort King George Nature Trail

Length: Approximately 0.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This short nature trail explores the grounds surrounding the reconstructed fort and passes archaeological features, historic remnants, and scenic coastal habitats. The trail offers visitors an opportunity to experience both the natural environment and the historical landscape that influenced the fort's construction and operation.

Historic Fort Walking Tour

Length: Variable distances available
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

Visitors can enjoy a self-guided walking tour through the reconstructed fort complex. Stops include the barracks, officers' quarters, blockhouse, guardhouse, and defensive earthworks, providing insight into daily military life during Georgia's colonial era.

This article uses material from Georgia State Parks' official Fort King George State Historic Site information, including fort history, reconstructed buildings, museum exhibits, and nature trail details (gastateparks.org/FortKingGeorge), released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.