Wormsloe State Historic Site
4.5(4.7K)google
4.1(274)yelp
HistoryHistoric BuildingPhoto SpotOutdoor
Overview
The Wormsloe State Historic Site, originally known as Wormsloe Plantation, is a state historic site near Savannah, Georgia, in the southeastern United States. The site consists of 822 acres (3.33 km2), protecting part of what was once the Wormsloe Plantation, a large estate established by one of the founders of colonial Georgia, Noble Jones. The site includes a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) dirt road lined with southern live oaks, the ruins of a small house with fortified walls built of tabby, a museum, and an area with recreations of colonial structures such as a blacksmithing forge and a house similar to those first built in the colony of Georgia (or as housing for enslaved people).
Practical Info
Mon9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Sun9:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeThe mild transitional shoulder months of October and March offer beautiful weather. The absolute single definitive time frame is 9:00 AM sharp right as the historic gates swing open. This legendary plantation site boasts a breathtaking, globally famous 1.5-mile straight Avenue of Oaks lined with over 400 historic trees planted in the early 1700s; early morning side-lighting pierce perfectly through the dense weeping Spanish moss curtains, casting long dramatic shadows across the dirt lane for a cinematic masterpiece.
Getting ThereLocated in the Isle of Hope coastal suburban ring at 7601 Skidaway Road. Public transit is non-existent, making personal vehicle travel highly recommended. From downtown Savannah, drive straight south along Waters Avenue, merge cleanly onto Skidaway Road, and follow it south for nearly 6.5 miles; the site's grand stone and iron arch entryway will appear prominently on your right. Pass the gate and follow the dirt lane to the sprawling complimentary gravel visitor lot hidden in the pines.
Travel Tips
- As a state-managed site, the federal Interagency National Park Pass is entirely invalid; admissions are charged per person at the gatehouse. The entrance kiosk shutters promptly at 16:00, barring any vehicular access past that hour.
- The maritime forest and salt marshes generate dense seasonal clouds of aggressive sand gnats, chiggers, and mosquitoes; stay strictly on marked paths, apply heavy DEET repellent, and wear fully closed trail shoes.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Capturing optimal sunbeams piercing the iconic 1.5-mile oak canopy lane requires shooting strictly between 09:00 and 10:30; midday light causes harsh overexposure, while post-16:00 timelines plunge the avenue into dense, flat shadows.
Reviews
Positive
- The 1.5-mile avenue of hundreds of ancient live oaks draped in Spanish Moss delivers unmatched visual shock; it is top-tier and fully lives up to its fame.
- As a classic Georgia colonial estate, its heritage value is profound; hiking the wooded paths to discover ancient 'Tabby' fort ruins offers great historical entertainment.
- The main entrance features smooth accessible wooden boardwalks; restrooms, rest benches, and trash bins are premium, backed by clear digital mapping signs.
- Staff wearing 18th-century period clothing are exceptionally courteous and humble, giving objective historical lore under well-ordered parking logistics.
Heads up
- Admission fees are a bit pricey; outside the iconic live oak avenue photo spot, the deeper fort ruins consist only of a few low dirt walls, risking a letdown.
- During spring festivals or golden photo hours, the center of the oak avenue is clogged with crowds posing for pictures, losing all native natural serenity.
- The walk from the visitor center to the deeper ruins is a long dirt loop that gets highly muddy during heavy rain, completely lacking free shuttle carts.
- The park highly preserves its natural environment, making mosquitoes and biting flies brutally severe; without strong repellent, the outdoor trail becomes a nightmare.