Fort George Golf Course Trail
Fairway Loop Trail
With a depth of history at Fort George Island Cultural State Park, it might be easy to overlook the Fairway Loop Trail, a 3.2-mile multi-use trail that traverses an old golf course constructed in the 1920s. On our first visit to this Fort George state park, we did not even notice the trailhead, as it is tucked away in a parking lot of the Ribault Club, the Neoclassical Revival building also built in the 1920’s and later restored in 2003. Be sure to check out this architectural attraction! Inside you will find interpretative exhibits on the island’s 5,000-year history or you can pick up a CD for a self-guided audio tour of Fort George Island.
Ribault Club
Fort George Golf Course
Our hike begins along a former golf cart path as we descend down the narrow trailhead into the unknown. Following along the molded tracks, we plunge into the winding forest canopied by live oak, magnolia, yaupon holly, and cedar. Lush green foliage surrounds us on the wide dirt trail as our boots touch down on piles of large green leaves. On this early winter afternoon, the wind whips wildly around our bodies, squawking birds perch in the swaying trees, and dogs bark loudly claiming their territory. A woodpecker pounds his beak against a colossal old oak tree covered in white mushrooms and stained with spotted moss. Luxurious Spanish moss drapes from countless tree limbs. A pack of palm bushes unveil the entryway to where we set our first sights on the former Scottish style 9-hole golf course.
100 years ago, putting on this fairway was a must-do activity at the post-war recreational resort on Fort George Island. The Fort George Golf Course was popular for the Ribault Club guests until the late 1940’s. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts to regain the glory days of a golf course community, the State of Florida purchased the property in 1989 and leased the golf course to the City of Jacksonville, where it remained in operation until 1991. These center rolling hills are now untamed, surrounded by dense forest with spur trails branching out in all directions. Light tall grass lines the path that leads to compact white sand dunes. Through wild twisting oak trees stretched to the sky, small pockets of bright sunlight cascade through to offer heat against the cool lingering winter winds. We approach a ground buried in pine needles and bright yellow leaves, and we spot numerous gopher tortoise sand burrows along the way, commonly found among coastal dunes and sandhills and protected by the Florida State Parks.
Fairway Loop Trail (Fort George Golf Course Trail)
The Mossy Pond
Around the bend, a side path on the left leads to a green mossy pond surrounded by tall pines and twisted roots of cedar. I sit on what ends up being the only bench along the entire trail and admire the variety of birds taking flight over the swampy waters. This is a great bird watching area but beware of alligators!
Once again, the old golf course trail opens up with a loop around a small myriad of oak and holly trees. We pause to take in the space that once was a glamorous retreat for more well-to-do vacationers. Then, we press on over the winding hills around long dangling vines, thin magnolias, jagged palm frond, and multiple layers of thick oak branches expanding over our heads and covered in green resurrection fern. We inhale the green elixir and stumble over some protruding roots realizing we are halfway in our journey. Tall pines sway in the clouds and leaves fall gently on my brow as I look up to see planes flying overhead. I traverse red berry bushes, thick piles of pine needles beneath my feet, and palm bushes taller than me.
Mossy Pond
Point Isabel
Reaching a dead end on the dirt road, we have a decision to make – follow the dirt road (an old mule cart track) west to the Kingsley Plantation or leap across the road to continue our journey along the Fairway Loop Trail back to the Ribault Club. Red cardinals zip across the trail and blue birds flutter past us, welcoming us to the continuation of the Fairway Loop, which opens to more views of the old golf course, the mysterious mounds of former aces and birdies. The sand trap turns into a split in the trail, where we decide to keep right, with the aromas of the salt marshes and mud flats leading us to Point Isabel. A short trail spur leads us to the remains of this inlet structure that once served as a port to transport goods to and from the plantations and the 1875 Fort George Hotel. This spot offers expansive shoreline views of the Fort George River and salt marsh extending to the Talbot Islands and a place to ponder on the history of the island.
Point Isabel
Mt. Cornelia
Back on the Fairway Loop Trail, we trek uphill to the next point of interest – Mt. Cornelia, thought to be one of the tallest sand dunes on the eastern seaboard where British General James Oglethorpe constructed Fort George in 1736 in the fight of Florida territory from Spain. This ancient sand hill is reachable via a short rocky footpath that is a bit arduous due to the slope. After a quick stint on the high sands, we depart with views of pink azaleas blooming along the trail edges and resurrection fern wrapped around the forestry. The Main Loop takes us to a paved road where we finally get to see a gopher tortoise out of his burrow, sunbathing on a sand mound. We attempt to get a closer look, but as soon as we crunch on some dead foliage, he slides back into his burrow and out of sight!
We cross the road, completing the trail and ending up back to reality at the Ribault Club, where a wedding is underway, and we are jolted back to the year 2020 at Fort George Island Cultural State Park.
Explore More:
Learn more about Fort George Island’s history: