SOUTHEAST GEORGIA
Camden County Offices
200 E. Fourth Street
Woodbine 912-576-5649
www.camdencounty-ga.com
Charlton County Offices
100 South Third Street
Folkston 912-496-2549
https://charltoncountyga.us/
Camden County Chamber
2603 Osborne Road
St. Marys 912-729-5840
www.camdenchamber.com
Charlton County Chamber
202 West Main Street
Folkston 912-496-2536
https://charltoncountyga.us/105/The-Chamber-of-Commerce
Services
Newcomers who are drawn to the natural beauty and small-town ambiance of coastal Southeast Georgia will discover a high quality of life that includes excellent services. Camden Medical Center in St. Mary’s provides a convenient, full-service, acute-care hospital to residents of Camden County. Those who live in Charlton County can access state-of-the-art healthcare in Charlton Memorial Hospital. Both institutions provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services and 24-hour emergency care as well as educational programs and wellness services that are tailored around the needs of the community.
Area youth receive a quality education in public and private schools supported by dedicated instructors and well-equipped regional libraries. Coastal Georgia Community College provides opportunities for an affordable start to a four-year degree, two-year degree and certification programs, continuing education classes, or courses for personal growth and exploration. Other institutions of higher education that provide classes at the Kings Bay Naval Station include Brenau University and Valdosta State University. Nearby Metropolitan Jacksonville across the state border in Florida is home to an impressive selection of public and private institutions of higher education as well as technical institutes and career schools.
Lifestyle
Residents of panoramic Southeast Georgia enjoy a wide array of recreational activities against the backdrop of pristine natural areas. They can also participate in the kaleidoscope of programs and activities offered by Camden County’s leisure services department and the Charlton County recreation department. Just a short ferry ride from St. Marys in Camden County lies the famous Cumberland Island with the spectacular Cumberland Island National Seashore. Charlton County is home to the Okefenokee Swamp and the associated Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Covering nearly 400,000 acres, the refuge is the largest in the eastern United States. Islands, prairies, wildlife, and 500-year-old cypress trees create a naturalist’s paradise.
Residents of Southeast Georgia enjoy four seasons of outdoor adventure, enhanced by the availability of public boat ramps and miles of pristine intracoastal waterways. Boating, fishing, camping, golfing, tennis, horseback riding, hiking, biking, and birdwatching are among the favorite pastimes. Other attractions in this region include Crooked River State Park, historic sites like the Sugarmill Tabby Ruins, abundant wildlife, military exhibits, wonderful galleries, and fine museums. Nestled against the Atlantic Ocean and shaded by ancient oaks and towering pines, Camden County bustles with activity generated by growing small cities and Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. As the most timbered county in Georgia, Charlton offers vast woodlands that create a scenic backdrop for beautiful neighborhoods and residential developments. Those who appreciate the relaxed pace of country living in close proximity to the best of Jacksonville will find a welcoming home in Southeast Georgia.
Folkston
City Hall
912-496-2563
https://charltoncountyga.us/
Chamber of Commerce
912-496-2536
https://charltoncountyga.us/
Serving as the gateway to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the bustling city of Folkston is the commercial hub and seat of government for Charlton County. Amenities and services include public and private schools, the Charlton Memorial Hospital campus, active civic and hobby clubs, and the programs offered by the Charlton County Recreation Department. The latter provides playgrounds, tennis courts, sports courts, sports fields, and organized team play for various age groups. Okefenokee Sporting Clays provide a lakeside course for shotgun practice; while the Folkston Golf Course offers a challenging 18-hole layout that includes a large driving range, putting and chipping greens, and a clubhouse. Traders Hill Park attracts families who enjoy the primitive campsites, picnic areas, nature trails, boat ramp, and fishing pier. Several other campgrounds are available close to home, some that offer fishing and canoe rentals.
Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base
Base Information
912-573-4714
www.military.com/base-guide/naval-submarine-base-kings-bay
Family Welcome Center
912-573-2056
www.military.com/base-guide/naval-submarine-base-kings-bay
Distinguished as the only East Coast naval base that is capable of supporting the Trident II missile, Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Camden County plays a critical role in the nation’s strategic deterrent program. The base also positively impacts the Southeast Georgia community and economy. Military personnel and their families have become active in churches, civic organizations, and community betterment programs from PTA and “Adopt a School” to local government. The base takes pride in fulfilling its mission to be the premier installation in the Navy through a commitment to innovation, quality of life, environmental awareness, and community relations. Those who are interested in learning more about the Trident nuclear submarines at Kings Base or other underwater adventures will want to explore the St. Marys Submarine Museum in St. Marys. The facility even offers a working periscope so visitors can view the surrounding area.
Kingsland
City Hall
912-729-5613
www.kingslandgeorgia.com
Chamber of Commerce
912-729-5840
www.camdenchamber.com
Rich in history and natural beauty, the “City of Royal Treatment” in Camden County claims a vibrant business, hospitality, and social atmosphere. Thousands of visitors arrive in Kingsland each year, destined for the pristine wilderness of Cumberland Island or the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Local attractions include colorful festivals and celebrations as well as a charming downtown district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The revitalized streetscape presents the charm of the 1920s, complete with brick sidewalks and the quaint architecture that graces the shops along Antique Row. Recreational opportunities are abundant and first-rate in this area, including fishing, hunting, boating, water sports, horseback riding, hiking, camping, and biking. Within a reasonable commute are the bright lights of Jacksonville with its world-class cultural community and entertainment spots.
St. Mary’s
City Hall
912-882-5516
http://www.stmarysga.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
912-729-5840
www.camdenchamber.com
https://www.visitstmarys.com/
Serving as the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, the small coastal village of St. Marys in Camden County has managed to remain one of Georgia’s best-kept secrets. Rich in history, natural beauty, and southern hospitality, the city provides a welcome retreat from the bustle of metropolitan life. First settled in the 1500s, the town features a quaint historic district and a fascinating collection of homes, buildings, and churches that range in age from 100 to 200 years. At the same time, the city services including parks and recreation are progressive and responsive to the needs of the community. Residents of St. Marys enjoy the slower pace and tranquility of days gone by as they stroll along flower-lined walkways and relax on a veranda that is cooled by sea breezes.
Woodbine
City Hall
912-576-3211
http://woodbinegeorgia.net/
Chamber of Commerce
912-729-5840
www.camdenchamber.com
Home of the Crawfish Festival, the small town of Woodbine was incorporated in 1908 and enjoyed rapid expansion in its early years. By 1923, the county seat had shifted from St. Marys to Woodbine for its accessibility. The community became the City of Woodbine in 1953 and is still the site of the County Courthouse. Today, Woodbine is characterized as a quiet, small town where many vintage homes and older commercial structures are still in use. Originally the Woodbine Plantation, the area was named for a red flowering vine that was plentiful in the area. Residents enjoy an idyllic location in a community that nestles on the banks of the St. Illa River, which is known today as the Satilla. Serene residential neighborhoods, regional recreational amenities, and easy access to major cosmopolitan attractions in Jacksonville ensure a high quality of life.
