Fort George Island Cultural State Park
Fort George Island has two birding sites accessed from Fort George Road: the Cultural State Park and the National Park Service’s Kingsley Plantation. When visiting the state park, walk, drive, or bike the Saturiwa Trail through the maritime hammock looking for migratory songbirds in fall, and nesting Indigo and Painted Buntings in spring and summer. Pick up a guide book at the visitor center and take the foot trail across the street, birding for warblers, buntings and other songbirds. Alternatively, pick up an audio “virtual ranger tour” of the Saturiwa Trail which can be checked out at the visitor center. An unimproved boat ramp behind the Ribault Clubhouse is available for launching canoes, kayaks, and small flat-bottomed boats. From there you can explore the salt marsh, home to Tricolored Heron, White Ibis and Clapper Rail; look for shorebirds loafing on exposed mudflats in the pass. Wood Storks and Swallow-tailed Kites nest in the area so keep an eye out for them in the spring and summer. There are three additional miles of hiking/biking trails through an old golf course. Portions of this island are in private ownership; please respect posted private property.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Environmental Protection, Div. of Recreation and Parks
Operational Hours: 8am to sunset
Size: 820 acres
