Savannah & Ogeechee Canal Trail

Constructed in the 1820s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal was once an important transportation route for getting plantation goods to market.

The canal itself is 16.5 miles, and the Chatham County Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department is working with the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Society to transform the canal area into a multi-purpose linear park. The trail winds through some of coastal Georgia's common habitats, including sandhill, swamp and pine forest. Boardwalks traverse wetland areas but high tides can sometimes cause flooding.

Seven miles of the towpath are open to foot traffic, from Lock 6 on the Ogeechee River to I-16 as follows: 0.5 mile at the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum & Nature Center (between Locks 6 and 5). Past Fort Argyle Road, the towpath is paved and called Bush Road, which runs about 3 miles. Lock 4 is located about 1 mile down this road. At Little Neck Road, the towpath is a dirt road to Half Moon Lake (the Canal's water source), which is spanned by a bridge and boardwalk to the Half Moon Lake Dam for about 1.5 miles. Beyond here there is a 0.5-mile paved road (Canal Bank Road) to Quacco Road. Across Quacco Road another 1.5 miles takes you to I-16. Beyond the two subdivisions is a swampy area may be difficult to access.

At the Ogeechee River terminus (near Lock 5) you can visit a small museum and nature center to learn more about the canal's history and the local ecological history of the area.

Take I-95 south from Savannah to Ft. Argyle Road and turn west on Fort Argyle Road. After about 2 miles, you'll find a parking lot for the trail and museum on the left. There is a minimal user fee.

For more information call 912-748-8068