McQueen's Island Historic Trail:
Georgia
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
Built on a three-mile stretch of the Savannah & Atlantic Railroad line, the McQueens Island Historic Trail offers a salt-air excursion for nature lovers and history buffs alike. Built in 1887, the railroad carried passengers from Savannah to Tybee Island, a popular turn-of-the-century beach resort. A highway to the island was built in 1923, leading to the demise of the railroad.
From its trailhead just 15 miles east of town, the trail parallels the South Channel of the Savannah River, a major shipping route and entry point to the Port of Savannah. (The trail was six miles long until the wakes of larger ships washed out its western half; plans to rebuild are under way.) Short bridges spirit you across saltwater marshes. Cord grass, cabbage palms, yaupon holly, and coastal cedars line this beautiful trail, and interpretive signs list the native wildlife, including the eastern box turtle, American alligator, diamond back terrapin, bobcat, osprey, red-tailed hawk, and brown pelican. Be on the lookout for these, as well as frolicking dolphins in the river. Conveniently placed benches allow visitors to pause, take in the scenery and picnic.
This region boasts an interesting and extensive history, from its earliest inhabitants (Gaulle Indians, followed by early colonists) to the Revolutionary and Civil War battles fought on its soil. Cap your trek with a visit to the massive brick Fort Pulaski, captured in 1862 by Union troops with an experimental rifled cannon. If time permits, head over to Tybee Island, a few miles east of the trail. Tybee's 1732 lighthouse is Georgia's oldest and tallest.
... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
Directions: To reach the eastern trailhead, follow US Highway 80 east toward Tybee Island. The trailhead entrance is about 15 miles east of Savannah near a sign for Fort Pulaski National Monument. Parking is available along the road or at the fort.
To reach the western trailhead, follow the directions above, but continue a few miles along US Highway 80 and look for a small roadside parking area just before the turnoff for Fort Pulaski.

Contact:
Chatham County Public Works & Park Services Department
P.O. Box 8161
Savannah, GA 31412
(912) 652-6780
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
One of my favorite pieces of Savannah
By Royalpix on October 06, 2009
I love this trail and it's a pretty easy trip with it being all flat. There's so much to see with the fiddler crabs crossing the path, dolphin in the Savannah River, and all of the water birds. But the best part for me is all the way at the far end away from Pulaski. There's a turnabout where the trail ends and it is decorated in the wildest way. Under a super massive oak tree surrounded by picnic tables, people have picked up things that washed up from the river and hung it from the trees like plastic bottles, glass bottles, hard hats, bouys... along with animal bones, drift wood.
Repairs Complete.
By tom298 on October 01, 2009
All six miles are in decent-to-excellent shape. Enjoyed all the bird - life! A couple of folks suggested parking at Fort Pulaski, not at the midpoint access. The latter is evidently plagued by car breakins, and the short path beween trail and highway is underwater at high tide.
trail repair update
By freebird2 on July 09, 2009
The western portion (from the 3 mile midpoint west) of the trail is still under repair. There has been improvement in the way of added crusher run material for the surface and oyster shell seawall reinforcement. Due to some unusual high tides and strong easterly winds, the surface has been damaged by forcing water over the improved surface. The result has been wash boarding and erosion, making it very uncomfortable to bike upon, as well as extending the construction completion date . There are still more breeches to fix and one bridge to repair before this area is considered complete.
The eastern 3 mile section has held its own in terms of damage, having only a few washouts and they have little effect on walking or biking, providing an enjoyable experience. Hard to say when this will be fully completed, but eagerly looking forward to that coming to an end soon.
Browse Trails by Activity: