Bonaventure Cemetery
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Free
Overview
Bonaventure Cemetery is a rural cemetery located on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River, southeast of downtown Savannah, Georgia. The cemetery's prominence grew when it was featured in the 1994 novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, and in the subsequent movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the book. It is the largest of the city's municipal cemeteries, containing nearly 160 acres (0.65 km2).
Practical Info
Mon8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeMid-to-late March during peak spring azalea blooming schedules is the unrivaled golden period. The optimal daily block is early morning from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM; morning mist still clings to the tidal river flats wrapping this legendary cemetery. Sunbeams pierce completely through the monumental live oak canopies heavy with weeping Spanish moss, casting dramatic shadows across Victorian marble angels and gravesites for a hauntingly beautiful, world-class historic landscape photography session.
Getting ThereSecluded along the scenic tidal river bluff east of downtown at 330 Bonaventure Road. Lacking urban subway links, private driving is highly recommended: from downtown Savannah, follow the scenic US-80 East corridor (Victory Drive) east for roughly 4 miles, turn left onto Skidaway Road, and follow distinct historic directional graphics onto Bonaventure Road straight through the main gates into a massive, complimentary gravel parking common.
Travel Tips
- Spanning 160 densely canopy-covered acres, isolated exterior parking turns are notorious targets for rapid vehicular break-ins; park solely along heavily trafficked central lanes near the Administrative Office.
- City ordinances strictly ban UAV drone deployment, bicycles, climbing on delicate marble structures, and physical tombstone rubbing with charcoal or paper; any defacement or structural trespassing triggers immediate arrest.
- • 【Microclimates & Chemical Protection Gear】Bordering the saltwater marshes of the Wilmington River, the cemetery canopies harbor fierce year-round swarms of biting sand gnats; wearing sturdy long pants and skin-coated high-strength Picaridin spray is mandatory.
Reviews
Positive
- The sweeping Spanish moss hanging from live oaks paired with Victorian sculptures delivers a hauntingly beautiful Southern Gothic aesthetic.
- The cemetery is completely free to enter, massive in scale, and beautifully kept with clean restrooms, a great visitor center, and clear path signs.
- Rich in history and culture, it serves as the resting place for celebrities and Civil War generals; reading their headstones is a deeply immersive experience.
- Bordering the Wilmington River, the scenic waterfront blends peacefully with the solemn grounds, offering a rustic tranquility away from downtown noises.
Heads up
- Opening hours are strictly enforced, locking gates promptly at 5 PM daily; its massive size makes it hard for non-driving walking tourists to cover before closing.
- Most interior pathways are unpaved sand and dirt; though driving is allowed, pushing strollers or maneuvering wheelchairs is bumpy and strenuous.
- Given the dense canopy and nearby river wetlands, summer mosquitoes and gnats are everywhere, making a heavy coat of bug spray an absolute necessity.
- As an active, protected historic cemetery, there are zero concession stands or vending machines inside, so you must bring your own drinking water.