(UPDATED AUGUST 2022) Exit 1 off I-95 took us via RV to St. Marys, GA. The Low-Country live oaks draped with Spanish moss and Palmetto palms are alluring. Staying at Crooked Creek State Park was a perfect choice for us-a great place to stay while exploring the area and about 20 minutes from the highway. It also has 500 acres of a Georgia State Park to explore.
Check-in at the office was a breeze-it also offers those forgotten items, souvenirs, tees, a few grocery items, and ice. A bait shop is on the premises for purchasing your fishing necessities.
Each campsite at Crooked River State Park has a respectable amount of space, with natural habitat providing beauty and privacy. A fire ring and picnic table are included with most sites.
Campsites at Crooked River State Park vary in length and width. The campground in this longleaf pine forest can accommodate a tent, travel trailer, and RVs. Melody and I were able to book a premium pull-through RV site with a water view for $42 a night. Later during our stay, we also saw adorable cottages for rent, eleven in total, which sleep between six and ten. Two of the cottages are ADA compliant.
Near our campsite was a building of private bathrooms and a laundry room. I must say, I was delighted with the bathrooms, which were ideal for camping. Light gray painted flooring, white walls, stainless steel, and porcelain fixtures made up the inside. This was perfect for thorough cleaning and the ability to visually certify the area is clean and well maintained, which it certainly was. A three-quarter wall separates a spacious walk-in shower with two water heads with excellent water pressure.
The Nature Center is well worth a visit. We were met by the on-duty Forest Ranger, who escorted us through a very informal tour of the turtles, snake aquariums, and tanks. This is south Georgia in the summer, so snakes are out in full force.
We were told the snakes live in their natural habitat, a large part of Crooked Creek State Park, but crossing paths with one is not the norm. Just be aware, as we are in their natural environment. The Nature Center also offers interpretive walks and junior ranger programming.
Mostly, we rode our bikes around the park, especially to the pond where Melody was ga-ga over the wide array of shorebirds nesting in the trees. They were incredibly vibrant around 6:00 PM, but make sure you look the other way when the sunset rolls around. It is magnificent.
The pond has a bird viewing blind on the back of the property. There are also 18 holes of mini-golf and both tandem and single bike rentals at the campground.
We encountered a couple of visitors at our campsite; a small armadillo was sniffing out the scene and a giant Gopher tortoise who seemed to want to camp with us. White-tailed deer and fox are other abundant creatures in Crooked River State Park, but we didn't see any of those.
Historic St. Marys, GA, is a quaint small town near the water. It was only minutes from our campground. The City of St. Marys Waterfront Park was great to walk through and learn more about the area's landscape and history (namely the Revolutionary War). It includes a boat ramp, walking pier, and promenade, with covered swings to enjoy the marsh views and scattered fishing boats.
This is also where you come to catch the ferry that will take you to pristine Cumberland Island. Day trips are available with a ticket but be advised that nothing is sold on the island, so you will need to bring drinks, snacks, and sun protection. You can also book a tour that takes you on a guided tour of Cumberland Island.
The Cumberland Island Natural Seashore museum is part of the National Park Service and has educational exhibits and a friendly staff for answering questions. The St. Marys Submarine Museum is also found here on St. Marys Street.
Directly across the street from the seashore museum, we found Riverside Cafe, a Greek-American family restaurant. The menu had plenty of offerings to suit every taste. We chose the daily special of Greek Eggplant Moussaka and the Chicken Salad Pita, accompanied by a delicious Greek salad and French fries. Service was friendly, and prices were reasonable. Riverside Cafe, with indoor and outdoor seating, is a great place to rehydrate and enjoy the view of the St. Marys River.
Melody and I ventured down Osborne Street and found some beautifully constructed bed & breakfasts, homes, and churches from years gone. They were all sitting below the tall Georgia pines and moss-draped trees. A noteworthy book store was worth venturing in, as was the Cumberland Island National Seashore office, where we bought the obligatory postcards.
St. Marys, Georgia, is a place you'll want to pencil in on your future road trips.
Article written by Melody and Eddie Pittman.
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