---
id: "53911"
name: Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway
distance: "17"
duration: 1 hour
description: This Byway lets visitors explore both the rich cultural heritage and the diverse marsh ecosystems found along Georgia's coast.
path: iq~~D~qroNo@dBa@Rc@Fk@KcA{@yAeE{AmCoD~Bu@r@uFrIeGhIoJhNlRpKrd@~WlGhHhKlOhArBnGfIlNzRtVl^pExFdA`ApAx@dFpBtCj@zA?j~@tF|WlApc@pDfC`@bEjAxDlAdDxA`\`OhErAr@j@pLpFrCrBxF|E~WvRrFlEzKtBrVdE`IjBxGxBlFrBrNlG~HtEnXhR|DdBz^hMdK`EbCdBhC~BxAfBhBjCrA`CfC~Gr@`Dh@zD^rEFrBCtEKvBs@zEwA`HaBfGSVZ~A`ExBlKhHrf@pZ`NlHdc@|WdOzE~s@hTbBXhBDzCSbd@oMnEeA`Ea@zj@sB`ELlDl@pCpAvCrBlz@~u@vKjKzAfAtA~@xAj@xCr@VRjB^p@?
websites:
  - url: https://exploregeorgia.org/things-to-do/blog/discover-the-hidden-gems-off-georgias-scenic-byways
    name: Georgia Travel Guide
attractions:
  - url: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/blackbeard-island
    name: Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/fofr/index.htm
    name: Fort Frederica National Monument
  - url: https://gastateparks.org/FortKingGeorge
    name: Fort King George Historic Site
  - url: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/harris-neck
    name: Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
  - url: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/wolf-island
    name: Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge
designations:
  - Georgia State Scenic Byway
states:
  - GA
ll:
  - -81.36495999999994
  - 31.45509900000002
bounds:
  - - -81.46089899999998
    - 31.307020000000136
  - - -81.36354099999994
    - 31.46268100000009

---

The Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway displays a collage of history; from Guale Indians and 16th and 17th century Spanish missionaries to the pre-colonial occupation of Fort King George; from hardy Scottish Highland soldiers and colonists to the rice and cotton planters who succeeded them. Descendants of early African slaves who built the nineteenth-century plantations live in the area today, contributing their culture and traditions to life in communities scattered along the byway. The Geechee community still survives on Sapelo Island and descendants of the 177 Scottish Highlanders who first settled Darien are scattered throughout McIntosh County. Enhanced by the archaeological remnants of a long ago era, this byway adds a rich cultural and historical note to the ecological beauty found in the present.