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Latest update: August 2022

Jekyll Island...

Georgia Coastal Biking

Jekyll Island is a barrier island in Georgia's Golden Isles. With 25 miles of paths and trails, the whole island is bikeable for visiting historic sites and enjoying scenic water views. Biking is diverse, from beach to marsh to maritime forest and to the National Historic Landmark District including the Jekyll Island Club (1888) and the "cottages" once owned by wealthy vacationers. Once a winter retreat for the wealthy, the island today is a Georgia State Park governed by the Jekyll Island Authority, a self-supporting state agency created to serve as steward of the island - by law, 65% of the island including parks and picnic areas must remain in a mostly natural state. (Detailed map and photos below.)

Biking Map...
Jekyll Island Trails

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Location: Glynn County, GA (See map)
Distance: 25 miles of bike trails and paths
Surface: Paved and unpaved, boardwalk
Nearby Places of Interest: Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Wanderer Memorial

Bike Shops/Rentals:
See list here

Biking at Jekyll Island... Comments and Photos

Although just 7 miles long by 1.5 wide, 25 miles of trails circle the entire island. Create loops by linking trails - trails intersect and crisscross, linking to all areas of the island. A ride at Jekyll Island is also a ride through history, with many historic markers and sites. Stopping at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center is recommended to pick up copies of the handy bike maps. The trails are mostly flat and well maintained for biking and walking. Bike, trike, surrey and golf cart rentals; trolley tours available.

Central Area / Historic District

The central Historic District is a designated National Historic Landmark, covering 240 acres including the Jekyll Island Club and 33 historic structures. Jekyll Island operated as a private enclave for elite members (1888-1942), the Jekyll Island Club (now part of Jekyll Island Club Resort) was the clubhouse. The "cottages" (most would call them "mansions"), were built as winter homes for families with names such as Morgan, Rockefeller, Gould and Vanderbilt. Many have been restored to their former glory, and are open to visitors.

Jekyll Island Historic District - Historic District Trail

The trail winds around the Jekyll Island Club Resort and surrounding dining, shopping, cultural and historical locations. Many shops in the historical center are housed in historic buildings. Faith Chapel (1904) is notable for its stunning stained glass windows. To the west, the trail runs along Riverview Drive past many cottages.

Historic District

Jekyll Island Club

 

Faith Chapel

Shopping - historic buildings

 

 

Trolley

At Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum

"Cottages"

Moss Cottage (1896)

Goodyear Cottage (1906)

Mistletoe Cottage (1900)

Crane Cottage (1917)

Cherokee Cottage (1904)

Villa Marianna (1928)

Hollybourne Cottage (1890)

Villa Ospo (1927)

DuBignon Cottage (1884)

Historic District Trail
East River / Riverside Dr. (north to south)

Along the East River and paralleling Riverside Drive, the trail runs about 2 miles including sections of boardwalk with scenic water and marshland views. Where it meets the Jekyll Island Causeway, it turns east and connects to the Beach Village with shops, dining, accommodations, and the Convention Center. Here, it meets the Ocean View and South Loop Trails.

Golf Course Trails

Jekyll Island has four golf courses. Two trails running past the courses also provide east-west corridors from one side of the island to the other.

Shell Road Trail

Shell Road Trail starts behind the Jekyll Island Museum and runs to the east parallel to Shell Road for 0.8 mile, passing the golf course to the Miniature Golf complex at Beachview Drive. Here it meets the Ocean View Trail near Great Dunes Beach Park.

Shell Road Trail - golf course

 

Deer along trail 

 

Glimpses of Golf Courses Trail

The Glimpses of Golf Courses Trail runs along Captain Wylly Road about 1.5 mile. It also runs east-west, past the Tennis Center and Golf Club. It links to North Loop Trail at both east and west ends (effectively closing the loop), and also to the Ocean View Trail.

Golf course

 

Ocean View Trail at Great Dunes Beach Park

Ocean View Trail runs north-south along the Atlantic for about 2 miles. In addition to parks and beaches, the Convention Center, restaurants and accommodations are along its route. Great Dunes Beach Park is a 20-acre beachfront park with parking, restrooms, beach deck, picnic pavilions, bocce court and volleyball.

Trail at Great Dunes Beach Park

 

 

 

 

Convention Center

 

To the beach

The Beach

Crossover to beach

 

 

Another crossover

 

 

North Loop Trail

The North Loop Trail makes a 9-mile loop around the northern end of the island. Starting on the western side it links with the Historic District Trail and Glimpses of Golf Courses Trail. It first passes the Jekyll Island Airport, then follows Riverview Drive along the East River northbound, including boardwalks overlooking the marsh hammock. At the northern end are Jekyll Island Fishing Pier, and Driftwood Beach. Looping onto the eastern side it follows Beachview Drive southbound, and at its end links back to Glimpses of Golf Courses Trail and Ocean View Trail.

Trail at Horton House

On the west, the trail runs along Riverview Drive about 3 miles to Horton House, the oldest tabby house in Georgia (1743), and adjacent DuBignon Cemetery. William Horton was a British officer in the Revolutionary War and was granted Jekyll Island in 1735 during the British Colonial Period. A variety of crops were grown, and the first beer brewery established (remains are nearby). After Horton's death, the house eventually became the residence of the DuBignon family from 1790 to the mid-1800's.

DuBignon Cemetery

There are 5 gravesites here, three memorialize members of the DuBignon family, who at one time owned the entire island and ran it for four generations (1790-1896). The others memorialize two hotel employees who drowned in 1912. No one is actually buried here, scattered gravestones were found in the area and brought to the memorial site but the actual graves, although believed to be nearby, could not be found.

Horton House, the Brewery Ruins, and DuBignon Cemetery are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Clam Creek and Jekyll Island Fishing Pier

Continuing north from Horton House along Riverview Drive in about 1/2 mile is an intersection - go right onto Beachview Drive toward Driftwood Beach, or go left onto Clam Creek Road to the Clam Creek Picnic Area and then on to the Jekyll Island Fishing Pier (parking, restrooms, picnic tables and grills, bait shop. Past the fishing pier, the trail crosses Clam Creek, then runs south where it meets Beachview Drive at the Driftwood Beach parking area.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:
St. Simons Island
Bike-Georgia - More bike trails and information about biking in Georgia

Related Resources:
Jekyll Island State Park
The Golden Isles - Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island Trail System

Support and Advocacy:
Jekyll Island Foundation