Island Ford Park Trail

Island Ford Park could be considered the heart of the CRNRA. Home to the National Park Service, Island Ford hosts a historic visitor’s center built in the 1930’s using timber from the nearby Okefenokee Swamp and stone from the Stone Mountain Rock Overhangs. You can ask questions about your park experience here before you begin your hike. After the visitor’s center, the hike turns left at the river’s edge, crossing a wooden bridge and diving into the forest flanking the river shoreline. You’ll likely see fly fishermen trying their luck out in the stocked trout stream. Native American village sites once flourished along this rich corridor of fertile soils and you can explore 16 ancient rock shelters located at Island Ford, where Prehistoric people would shelter under the large rock overhangs along the river.