From golf and pickleball to birding, hiking and exploring nature, Kingsland offers a variety of leisurely adventures for active adults
KINGSLAND, GEORGIA—JANUARY 2025—Nestled on the southeast coast of Georgia, just three miles from the Georgia/Florida border and 25 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida, Kingsland, Georgia, is a charming small town offering an array of outdoor adventure. Relax with a round of golf on a stunning coastal course, spend the day on the pickleball courts, explore some of the area’s best birding or hit the trails on bike or foot. Kingsland offers visitors the opportunity to go at their own pace when it comes to exploration and thanks to the area’s year-round mild temperatures, it’s always a great time to visit.
Play a round
Tranquil tee times await! Kingsland boasts 700+ holes of golf within an hour. Visitors will be surrounded by the area’s natural beauty and take in magnificent marsh views while playing a round at Laurel Island Links Golf Club. Featuring smooth greens and fairways lined with tall Georgia pines, this stunning course designed by Davis Love III is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit. Other noteworthy courses nearby include Trident Lakes Golf Club, located on Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base and The Golf Club at Sanctuary Cove, a Love Golf Design/Fred Couples Signature course featuring a 7,003-yard layout offering a different residential golf experience. There’s also a miniature golf course, located within Crooked River State Park, offering a variety of challenging holes and obstacles, making it a great outing for a little friendly competition. Laurel Island Links, 233 Marsh Harbour Parkway, Kingsland, Georgia 31548; 912-729-7277; Trident Lakes Golf Club 1010 USS Proteus Boulevard, Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, Georgia 31547; 912-573-8475; Sanctuary Cove Golf Club, 2050 Sanctuary Wynd, Waverly, Georgia 31565; 912-466-0080; Putt-Putt Golf at Crooked River State Park, 6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Highway, St. Marys, Georgia 31558; 912-882-5256
For more outdoor adventure, head over to Howard Peeples Park for disc golf and pickleball. Gum Branch Disc Golf Course features 18 holes on its pet-friendly, mixed-use public park. Grab paddles and hit the pickleball courts. Featuring eight pickleball courts within the park, there’s plenty of space to play a round of singles or doubles. Howard Peeples Park and Gum Branch Disc Golf Course, 656 Gross Road, Kingsland, Georgia 31548.
Wander the trails
Home to over 25 county and state parks, Kingsland offers a variety of trails suitable for visitors of all ages. Whether hiking or biking, exploring the area’s trails is a wonderful way to connect with Mother Nature. Crooked River State Park gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy the Intracoastal Waterway and maritime forest. With over four miles of trails for hiking or biking, there are plenty of opportunities to observe Spanish moss-draped oaks, expansive palmettos, indigenous birds and the nearby tidal river. Crooked River State Park, 6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Highway, St. Marys, Georgia, 31558; 912-882-5256
Next up, take a ferry ride over to Cumberland Island National Seashore, one of coastal Georgia’s most treasured places. Mostly made up of pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes, Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island offers roads and trails perfect for exploring. Wind your way through a forest of majestic live oaks and palmetto trees while trying to spot the island’s resident wildlife—wild horses, turkeys, alligators, deer and an impressive variety of coastal birds. Click here for more information on ferry reservations, bike rentals, tours and camping.
Birding at its best
Kingsland and the surrounding area are home to many beautiful bird species. From the beloved Roseate Spoonbill and Osprey to colorful Painted Buntings and stoic Herons, there are many opportunities to observe these species—and more—in their natural habitat. Check out the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, where over 300 species have been spotted among the 18 sites on the trail. Other popular birding spots include Crooked River State Park, and of course, Cumberland Island National Seashore. Additionally, nearby Woodbine is home to over six miles of the Georgia Coast Rail Trail which provides a natural bird sanctuary offering shelter, protection, water, food and nesting sites for many bird species. Crooked River State Park, 6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Highway, St. Marys, Georgia, 31558; 912-882-5256
Local, fresh and delicious
You’re sure to work up an appetite after all that exploring! For a serious dose of Southern hospitality and delicious, made-from-scratch meals, step into Steffens Restaurant. This family-owned and -operated establishment has been serving the Kingsland community since 1948. Diners can enjoy a variety of menu options from fluffy pancakes to hearty burgers and homemade pies for dessert. Steffens Restaurant, 550 S. Lee Street, Kingsland, Georgia 31548; 912-729-5355
Don’t miss local hotspot, The Firefly Taco Cantina. The Firefly specializes in flavorful tacos, refreshing beverages and a laid-back atmosphere. Offering live music most evenings, there’s always a fiesta at The Firefly.! The Firefly Taco Cantina, 609 Osborne Street, St. Marys, Georgia 31558; 912-673-8226.
For the freshest seafood around, stop in Ship 2 Shore Seafood & Steaks. Serving a variety of Southern delights and fresh seafood dishes, Ship 2 Shore is a favorite among locals and visitors. Ship 2 Shore Seafood & Steaks, 1947 Commerce Drive, Kingsland, Georgia 31548; 912-882-5711
Where to Stay in Kingsland
With easy access on and off I-95, Kingsland offers many lodging options from big brand hotels to inns and RV parks. For a complete list of Kingsland lodging options, visit https://visitkingsland.com/stay/.