Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway
Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway is a State Scenic Byway in Georgia. Within Georgia it covers roughly 14 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
The Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway is a 17-mile Georgia scenic byway through McIntosh and Glynn counties, following State Route 99 and US 17 along the coastal marshes near Darien. The route runs from the Sapelo Island Visitors Center to the historic Needwood Church and School, passing Fort King George, a colonial-era fort, along with the Butler Island and Hofwyl-Broadfield plantation sites, sweeping salt-marsh views, and live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Layers of history stack up along this short stretch of coast, from the Guale people and Spanish missionaries to Scottish Highland soldiers who settled Darien in the 1730s and the rice and cotton plantations that followed on enslaved labor; descendants of both the Highlanders and the enslaved African communities, including the Geechee people of nearby Sapelo Island, still live in the area today. Darien's historic waterfront offers fresh seafood and a well-preserved historic district, while the surrounding Altamaha River wetlands draw birders, anglers, and boaters. It's a short but historically dense drive along Georgia's coast.
- 17 miles, McIntosh & Glynn counties
- Fort King George colonial fort
- Butler Island & Hofwyl-Broadfield plantations
- Darien historic waterfront
- Scottish Highlander & Geechee heritage
Plan a drive on Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway →
What is a State Scenic Byway?
State Scenic Byways are roads a state has formally recognized for their scenic, natural, historic or cultural value — each state's own curated collection of drives worth taking slowly.
Where to Stay along Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway
1 campground or RV park sits within about 5 miles of Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway.
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