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Jekyll Island...

Georgia Coastal Biking

Jekyll Island is a barrier island in Georgia's Golden Isles. With 25 miles of paths and trails, the whole island is bikeable for visiting historic sites and enjoying scenic water views. Biking is diverse, from beach to marsh to maritime forest, and to the National Historic Landmark District including the Jekyll Island Club (1888) and the "cottages" once owned by wealthy vacationers. Once a winter retreat for the wealthy, the island today is a Georgia State Park - by law, 65% of the island including parks and picnic areas must remain in a mostly natural state. Park fee applies to visit and park on the island (bikes and pedestrians free). (Detailed map and photos below.)

Biking Map...
Jekyll Island Trails

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Location: Glynn County, GA (See map)
Distance: 25 miles of bike trails and paths
Surface: Paved and unpaved, boardwalk
Trailheads/Parking: Jekyll Island Causeway, parks, beaches, fishing pier
Nearby Places of Interest: Mosaic Jekyll Island Museum, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Wanderer Memory Trail

Bike Shops/Rentals:
See list here

Biking at Jekyll Island... Comments and Photos

Although just 7 miles long by 1.5 wide, 25 miles of trails circle the entire island. Identified as the Historic District Trail, the Oceanview Trail, the North Loop Trail, and the South Loop Trail, the trails intersect and crisscross, linking to all areas of the island. A ride at Jekyll Island is also a ride through history, with many historic markers and sites. Stopping at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center is recommended to pick up copies of the handy bike maps. The trails are mostly flat and well maintained for biking and walking. Bike, trike, surrey and golf cart rentals; trolley tours available.

Historic District Trail

Along the East River and paralleling Riverview Drive, the Historic District Trail runs about 2 miles between the North Loop and South Loop Trails. It winds around the Jekyll Island Club Resort and surrounding dining, shopping, cultural and historical locations, then runs south through Riverview Park to the Jekyll Island Causeway.

Historic District

Jekyll Island operated as a private enclave for elite members (1888-1942), the Jekyll Island Club (now part of Jekyll Island Club Resort) was the clubhouse. Many shops in the historical center are housed in historic buildings.

Jekyll Island Club

 

Faith Chapel (1904) - notable for its stained glass windows

Shopping - historic buildings

 

 

Trolley

At Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum

The central Historic District is a designated National Historic Landmark, covering 240 acres including the Jekyll Island Club and 33 historic structures.

"Cottages"

The "cottages" - most would call them "mansions" - were built as winter homes for families with names such as Morgan, Rockefeller, Gould and Vanderbilt. Many have been restored to their former glory, and are open to visitors.

Moss Cottage (1896)

Goodyear Cottage (1906)

Mistletoe Cottage (1900)

Crane Cottage (1917)

Cherokee Cottage (1904)

Villa Marianna (1928)

Hollybourne Cottage (1890)

Villa Ospo (1927)

DuBignon Cottage (1884)

Riverview Park

The trail runs through Riverview Park, a tranquil oasis with scenic water and marshland views, and views of both the Jekyll Island Causeway and Sidney Lanier Bridge. Parking and benches available but no other amenities. Several boardwalks cross the marshlands. Approaching the Causeway, the trail emerges to run alongside Riverview Drive. At the Causeway, it turns east and connects to both the Oceanview Trail and South Loop Trail.

• The Park was site of the historic Boathouse, where the club launches were stored when not in use. All that remains are a few piers, and the capstan winch that pulled the boats from the water.

Golf Course Trails

Jekyll Island has four golf courses. Two trails running past the courses are also east-west corridors, providing links between trails on either side of the island.

Shell Road Trail

Shell Road Trail starts behind the Jekyll Island Museum and runs to the east parallel to Shell Road for 0.8 mile, passing the golf course to the Miniature Golf complex at Beachview Drive. Here it meets the Oceanview Trail near Great Dunes Beach Park.

Shell Road Trail - golf course

 

Deer along trail 

 

Glimpses of Golf Courses Trail

The Glimpses of Golf Courses Trail runs along Captain Wylly Road about 1.5 mile. It also runs east-west, past the Tennis Center and Golf Club. It links to North Loop Trail at both east and west ends (effectively closing the loop), and also to the Oceanview Trail.

Golf course

 

Oceanview Trail

Oceanview Trail runs north-south along the Atlantic for about 2 miles, linking to the Historic District and South Loop Trails to the south, and North Loop Trail to the north. At its south end is the Beach Village with shops, dining, accommodations, and Convention Center. Some of Jekyll Island's best beaches lie along the route. We visited Great Dunes Beach Park, a 20-acre beachfront park with parking, restrooms, beach deck, picnic pavilions, bocce court and volleyball.

Trail at Great Dunes Beach Park

 

 

 

 

Convention Center

 

To the beach

The Beach

Crossover to beach

 

 

Another crossover

 

 

North Loop Trail

The North Loop Trail makes a 9-mile loop around the northern end of the island. Starting on the western side it links with the Historic District Trail and Glimpses of Golf Courses Trail. It first passes the Jekyll Island Airport, then follows Riverview Drive along the East River northbound, including boardwalks overlooking the marsh hammock. At the northern end are Jekyll Island Fishing Pier, and Driftwood Beach. Looping onto the eastern side it follows Beachview Drive southbound, and at its end links back to Glimpses of Golf Courses Trail and Oceanview Trail.

Horton House and DuBignon Cemetery

On the west, the trail runs along Riverview Drive about 3 miles to Horton House, the oldest tabby house in Georgia (1743), and adjacent DuBignon Cemetery. Horton House, the Brewery Ruins, and DuBignon Cemetery are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Horton House

William Horton was a British officer in the Revolutionary War and was granted Jekyll Island in 1735 during the British Colonial Period. A variety of crops were grown, and the first beer brewery established (remains are nearby). After Horton's death, the house eventually became the residence of the DuBignon family.

Along Riverview Drive

 

 

Horton House

 

 

Brewery Ruins

 

DuBignon Cemetery

There are 5 gravesites here, 3 members of the DuBignon family, who owned and ran the island for four generations (1790-1896), and 2 hotel employees who drowned in 1912. No one is actually buried here, scattered gravestones were found in the area and brought to the memorial site but the actual graves could not be found.

 

 

 

Gravestone of family member

Clam Creek and Jekyll Island Fishing Pier

Continuing north from Horton House along Riverview Drive in about 1/2 mile is an intersection - go right onto Beachview Drive toward Driftwood Beach, or go left onto Clam Creek Road to the Clam Creek Picnic Area and then on to the Jekyll Island Fishing Pier (parking, restrooms, picnic tables and grills, bait shop). Past the fishing pier, the trail crosses Clam Creek, then runs south where it meets Beachview Drive at the Driftwood Beach parking area.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:
St. Simons Island
Bike-Georgia - More bike trails and information about biking in Georgia

Related Resources:
Jekyll Island State Park
- Jekyll Island Biking
- Visitor Guide
The Golden Isles - Jekyll Island

Support and Advocacy:
Jekyll Island Foundation