Crooked River State Park trail map [2007]

LEGEND
Park Office Nature Center Group Shelter Picnic Shelter Picnic Area Restrooms Playground Tent & RV Camping Telephone Dump Station Cottage Pioneer Camping Boat Ramp Miniature Golf R Staff Residence Palmetto Trail Sempervirens Trail Bay Boardwalk Trail Nature Center Trail River Trail Paved Road Unpaved Road

PARK BOUNDARY
CHARLIE SMITH, SR. HIGHWAY - SPUR 40

CROOKED

RIVER

PARK BOUNDARY

345 2
1
GOPHER TORTOISE NESTING
SITE

6 7 8 9 10 11

Bay1.B2o5ardwalk iles

Tr

R R
R ail m
Observation Tower

CAMPGROUND
Nature Center Trail

BIRD BLIND

Palmetto Trail 1.5 miles

PARK BOUNDARY

Sempervirens Trail .75 miles

PARK BOUNDARY
BIRDING PLATFORM
Nature Trail .5 miles

PARK BOUNDARY

Crooked River State Park Trail Map
6222 Charlie Smith, Sr. Highway St. Marys, GA 31558 912-882-5256 Emergency: 911 www.GeorgiaStateParks.org

CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK
Crooked River State Park offers cozy facilities in a beautiful setting. Campsites are surrounded by Spanish moss-draped oaks, while cottages overlook the river. Hikers can explore the nature trails which wind through maritime, pine and bay forests into salt marshes and over archaeological shell middens. A boat ramp is popular with anglers who often take to the water before sunrise. Visitors may venture to the nearby ruins of the tabby McIntosh Sugar Works mill, built around 1825 and later used as a starch factory during the Civil War. Just down the road is the ferry to famous Cumberland Island National Seashore, known for wild horses and mansion ruins.
ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES Camping - The park offers 62 RV and tent sites with water and electrical hook-ups, 12 cable channels and a sanitary disposal station. Two comfort stations with toilets and hot showers are centrally located.
Cottages - Eleven fully equipped cottages may be reserved up to 11 months in advance. All have a screened porch, grill and picnic table. Cottages 1-5 have views of the open river and cottages 6-11 have views of the marsh with the river in the background. Dogs are allowed in cottages 10 and 11 only. Pets are not permitted in or around other cottages.
Picnicking - There are 75 picnic tables, five shelters and one group shelter available. The group shelter must be reserved in advance. Other shelters can be reserved and are available first-come, first-served. Visitors are asked to use only designated picnic areas.
Fishing - Park offers salt water fishing throughout the year. A courtesy dock and boat launch area are provided for access to Crooked River. For salt water fishing, persons age 16 or older must have a valid resident/non-resident fishing license.
Boating - Private boats are permitted on the waters bordering the park. A boat launch ramp is available. There are no horsepower limitations. Water skiing is not recommended due to hazards in the river and currents encountered during ebb tides. All boats must comply with the Georgia Boating Safety Law and park rules and regulations.
Mini Golf - An 18-hole miniature golf course is available. Open hours are during daylight: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS
Palmetto Trail
This 1.5-mile trail introduces you to the south Georgia Pine Flatwoods. An ecosystem whose 98% decline is one of the most severe of any ecosystem on earth. Fire is essential for maintaining this rare ecosystem dominated by Longleaf Pine, Saw Palmetto, and Wire Grass. Its plants and animals are well adapted to periodic low intensity fires. The open woods are ideal for bird watching in early morning and before sunset while the sandy soil is great for tracking wildlife. Common birds are Eastern Towhee, Blue Birds, Nuthatch, Osprey, many woodpeckers, and warblers. Many fruit bearing plants can be found in the understory such as Blueberries, Muscadine Grapes, Catbrier, Sparkleberry, Wax Myrtle, and Gull Berry. Endangered species such as the Gopher Tortoise and the Eastern Indigo Snake depend on this habitat for survival.

River Trail

Sempervirens Trail
As you walk along the trail you will notice the old growth hardwoods, which give this trail the name Sempervirens Latin for "ever-living". Follow the trail back and you will notice the forest becoming more dense. Large oak, cherry, and hickory trees make up the canopy along the nature loop portion of the trail. The calcium-rich soil that nurtures these large hardwoods comes from oyster shells left behind by the Native Americans of this area. Over time the oyster shells have been decomposing and depositing calcium into the soil. Other plants and trees that grow in the rich soil include: Southern Magnolia, Godfrey Swamp Privet, Red Cedar, American Basswood, and Yaupon Holly. The Sempervirens Trail also boasts 5 Georgia State Champion trees: the Staggerbush Lyonia, Florida Soapberry, Myrtle Oak, Chapman Oak, and Carolina Holly. As you leave the dense hardwoods and continue into the pineoak forest, you may encounter a gopher tortoise Georgia's state reptile. They prefer the sandy soils to dig their burrows and the low growing grasses to feed on. Other animals that can be spotted along the Sempervirens include: armadillos, feral hogs, raccoons, and orb weaver spiders.
The Sempervirens Trail also offers a birding platform. The platform provides a good view of the salt marsh as well as an opportunity to look for birds. Some of the birds you may see include: Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Osprey, Pileated Woodpeckers, WhiteEyed Vireo, and Warblers.

This trail is short and sweet. Only a few hundred yards long it winds along the bluff and down into the marsh. It is a beautiful spot for fishing and bird watching. Wood Storks and herons roost in the dead pines overlooking the rivers edge. Sheepshead, Whiting, Trout, Black Drum, rays and small sharks can be caught from the shore. This quiet spot overlooks the Crooked River and golden marsh grasses which are famous to Georgia's coast.
Bay Boardwalk Trail
The boardwalk takes you into a Bay Forest ecosystem. This hardwood and evergreen wetland is dominated by two species of trees; Loblolly and Swamp Bay. Even during the winter months, this bay forest appears as a wall of dark green, dense foliage. Typical swamps in South Georgia contain cypress and gum trees and appear bare and open during winter months. As you enter the Bay Forest, notice how the tree canopy gets taller and thicker, shading the forest floor. During the summer months the shade provided by the trees is noticeably cooler and feels more humid.
Although the creek bottom appears mucky the creek water is surprisingly clear, even after heavy rainfall. The water in the creek comes from rainfall and seepage from the surrounding sandy soil of the pine forest. The remains of decaying trees and leaf litter form a layer of peat on the forest floor. This peat layer can be many feet thick. The soil in the Bay Forest is strongly acidic, sandy and high in organic matter. It holds water like a sponge, which enables it to support the many wetland plants that are not found in the surrounding pine forest. Because of its ability to hold water, the forest floor will not support fire except in extreme drought conditions.
Common Trees and plants found in the Bay Forest: Loblolly Bay, Swamp Bay, Tulip Poplar, Water Oak, Red Maple, Sweet Gum, Swamp and Water Tupelo, Cinnamon fern, Netted Chain Fern, Southern Woodfern, Resurrection Fern, Climbing Hydrangea, Muscadine Grapes, Fetterbrush Lyonia and Wax Myrtle.
Common Birds Found in the Bay Forest: Red Bellied Woodpecker, Piliated Woodpecker, Flicker, Sapsucker, Common Yellowthroat Warbler, Pine Warbler, Northern Parula Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Nuthatch, Great Crested Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Red-Tailed Hawk and numerous other species of migratory songbirds and raptors.

SAFETY TIPS & ETIQUETTE
Tell someone your itinerary and expected return time.
Take a map, water, snacks, first aid kit, flashlight and whistle. Three short blasts on a whistle are known as a call for help.
Do not stray from trails. If you become lost, stay in one location and wait for help. This will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
Don't count on cell phones to work in the wilderness, but if they do, be able to give details about your location.
Invest in good hiking socks such as those found at sporting goods stores. Avoid blisters by carrying "moleskin" and applying it as soon as you feel hot spots on your feet. Available in the foot care section of drug stores, moleskin is like felt that sticks to your skin.
While boating and hiking be prepared for unexpected rain and wind which can lead to hypothermia. Always carry quality rain gear and turn back in bad weather. If you become wet or cold, it is important to get dry and warm as quickly as possible.
On the water dress in layers and avoid cotton. Today's boaters can choose from numerous fabrics that wick moisture, dry quickly and conserve heat. Many experienced boaters and hikers wear a lightweight shirt that wicks moisture, while carrying a fleece pullover and rain jacket.
Pack out all trash.
Keep pets on a leash at all times and clean up after them.
Do not pick flowers, disturb wildlife or take anything off the park.
Protect the park and help prevent erosion by staying on marked trails. Read all warning signs of dangerous cliffs that are under cut and could crumble under foot.

CLIMATE DATA FOR ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

Avg. Avg.

Avg.

Month High Low Mean Precip.

Record High

Record Low

Jan 63F 44F 54F 3.82 in Feb 65F 47F 56F 3.17 in Mar 71F 52F 62F 4.01 in Apr 76F 58F 67F 2.91 in May 83F 66F 74F 2.87 in Jun 87F 72F 80F 5.30 in Jul 90F 75F 82F 5.80 in Aug 88F 75F 82F 5.34 in Sep 85F 73F 79F 7.73 in Oct 78F 65F 72F 4.22 in Nov 72F 56F 64F 2.49 in Dec 65F 48F 56F 2.73 in

88F (1972) 91F (1962) 92F (1967) 94F (1986) 100F (1962) 104F (1950) 102F (1986) 102F (1951) 99F (1988) 96F (1951) 93F (1961) 85F (1978)

4F(1985) 20F (1996) 22F (1980) 37F (1987) 40F (1982) 51F (1977) 63F (1984) 61F (1982) 52F (1981) 39F (1968) 24F (1970) 12F (1983)