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Canoe Guide to the Historical St. Marys River
The St Marys Canoe Trail meanders 63.5 miles through the beautiful wilderness of north Florida and south Georgia. The trail begins five miles north of Macclenny (FL) at the Florida-Georgia State Line bridge on Georgia State Road 23, and ends at Camp Pinckney Park near Folkston, one-half mile beyond the US 1 / US 301 bridge.
The St. Marys River, the dividing line between Georgia and Florida, rises in the Okefenokee Swamp at a point known as Endicott's Mound. In the days of old sailing vessels, ships known as tramps, would come hundreds of miles off there course and sail upriver to procure drinking water from the St Marys for long voyages. Here on the banks of the St Marys, the Creek Indian Nation signed their peace treaty with the United States. Trader's Hill (Fort Alert) was established as a trading post circa 1755 and was once the county seat of Charlton County. In 1901 the county seat eas moved to Folkston; Trader's Hill remains important today as a recreational park and river access point for residents and visitors in Charlton County.
When canoeing the St Marys River, please remember:
- Select a leader experienced in canoeing and camping.
- Camping is available on white sandbars and under bridge rights-of-way.
- Have a full first aid kit available in each canoe.
- Respect the rights of land owners.
- Access to posted land should be by invitation only.
- Be extremely careful with camp fires.
- Do not cut or damage living tress.
- Carry your litter with you.
- Firearms are not necessary.
A Word Of Caution:
The St Marys River above Trader's Hill is swift during periods of high rainfall. During periods of drought, it may be necessary to pull the canoe over sandbars and logs.
For Further Information Contact:
Southeast Georgia Regional Development Center
3395 Harris Road
Waycross, Georgia 31503
912-285-6097
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