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Georgia
0.6 mi
Distance
81 ft
Gain
No conditions check on file for this trail yet — always verify current conditions before you go.
Why you'll love it
River Trail Stop 3
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.
Stop #3: Red bay (<i>Persea borbonia</i>) When facing post number three, the red bay can be found just to the right of the post. It may have brown leaves and look dead. Smaller, younger red bay trees can also be seen further to the left and right of the post. They have large dark green leaves that appear shiny and the central vein in the leaf has an orange tint. The crushed leaves are very aromatic and were used as seasoning when cooking. Please do not pick the leaves in the park. The red bay produces round, single seeded, dark blue and purple berries in October. Many red bays have large areas of brown leaves. This is the result of an invasive beetle, the ambrosia beetle, that has introduced a fungal disease to the red bays called laurel wilt. The beetle and disease were first documented in 2002. Prior to 2002, the red bay was prevalent in the maritime forest and would have grown into a large tree. Today only young trees can be found that have not yet been subjected to laurel wilt disease.
River Trail Stop 2
~0 min drive
Stop #2: Cabbage palm (<i>Sabal palmetto</i>) Cabbage palms are native to our area and provided many uses to native peoples. When facing post number two, a cabbage palm grows directly behind the post, and another to the right of the post. They grow vertically into the typical…
River Trail Stop 1
~0 min drive
Stop #1: Pine (<i>Pinus sp</i>) Yellow pine is a generic term for several species of pine trees that are found in the Southeastern United States. When facing post number one, look east and slightly south. The Pine tree towers into the canopy above Red Bay and shrubs. Vines cli…
River Trail Stop 6
~0 min drive
Stop #6: Red cedar (<i>Juniperus virginiana</i>) When facing post number 6, the red cedar is the large tree with flakey bark to the right of the post. The eastern red cedar is actually in the juniper family. Cedar trees, such as the one to the left, are an aromatic evergreen.…
Nightingale Trail - Trailhead North
~0 min drive
You have reached the last stop on the tour. Walking the main road to the left will take you to the Dungeness dock access road, approximately 0.5 miles. Walking to the right will take you to Sea Camp dock access road at 1 mile.
River Trail Stop 7
~0 min drive
Stop #7: Live Oak (<i>Quercus virginiana</i>) The live oak trunk is to the left of post number 7. The live oak is the dominant tree in the maritime forest. Its dark green leaves are present throughout winter until the new leaves appear in the spring. The outstretched branches…
River Trail Stop 8
~1 min drive
Stop #8: Smilax (<i>Smilax sp.</i>) Look above the shrubs to find this vine. You can also see the smilax growing on the west side of the trail on top of Red Bay and up from the ground. It may be hard to identify in the winter months, as some species are deciduous. Smilax is a…
River Trail Stop 9
~1 min drive
Stop #9: Wax myrtle (<i>Myrica cerifera</i>) Wax Myrtle is the small shrubby plant surrounding post number 9. Its leaves are light to dark green and are skinny, elongated leaves, with slight toothing near the edge. This evergreen shrub is found in the dunes as well as the fore…
Nightingale Trail - Stop 7 Resurrection Fern
~1 min drive
<b>Resurrection Fern</b> “Polypodium polypodioides”<br /> <br /> This epiphyte (air plant) is growing at eye level on the curved tree trunk to the right of the marker. These small ferns have adapted well to living on the spreading branches of Live oaks. They draw their nutrien…
Dungeness Crossing
~2 min drive
Easy 0.40-mile out-and-back coastal Georgia nature walk.
Liberty Ships Trail
~47 min drive
Easy 2.21-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia.
