There’s no better way to explore St. Simons and Jekyll Island than on two wheels. With well-maintained trails that take you through scenic marshlands, past historic landmarks, and along the coastline, biking offers a fun, active way to experience the beauty of the Golden Isles. Whether pedaling with the family or setting out on a solo adventure, we have the ultimate guide to help you make the most of your ride.
Before you hit the trails, grab this user-friendly bike map to plan your route. If you’re staying in St. Simons’ Village Area, you’re already in a prime spot for biking—it’s close to the beach, restaurants, and all the action. Perfect for keeping the car parked and the fun rolling!
What You’ll See
Biking on St. Simons and Jekyll Island offers an intimate look at the unique coastal beauty of the Golden Isles. On St. Simons, you’ll pass under arching live oaks drooping with Spanish moss, particularly along Kings Way and Frederica Road. Marshlands come alive as you pedal by—watch for snowy egrets and blue herons wading in the shallows or fiddler crabs scuttling along the muddy banks. If you ride through the Cannon’s Point Preserve area, you’ll see stretches of salt marsh and maybe even spot deer grazing in the early morning light.
Over on Jekyll Island, the scenery shifts to include unspoiled beaches and maritime forests. Driftwood Beach stands out with its weathered, gnarled, and tangled trees. The National Historic Landmark District offers another highlight, with views of grand 19th-century cottages and the iconic Jekyll Island Club. Along the bike paths, you’ll pass by freshwater ponds and birds like roseate spoonbills and ospreys. The mix of natural beauty and historic charm makes every turn on these bike trails an adventure worth savoring.
Where to Rent Bikes
No bike? No worries. St. Simons and Jekyll Island are home to several bike rental shops that make gearing up easy:
- Ocean Motion: Located near East Beach, Ocean Motion offers rentals for all ages. Start here for a family-friendly ride through the marsh-lined sidewalks and coastal neighborhoods.
- Monkeywrench Bicycles: Found on Frederica Road, this shop is perfect for bikers heading to St. Simons’ north end, where history and nature meet.
- VayK Life Beach Gear Rentals: Hodnett Cooper has partnered with VayK Life Beach Gear Rentals to offer guests the ultimate convenience: complimentary daily credit toward beach gear rental, including bikes, chairs, and coolers, at participating properties. With easy online ordering and gear delivered straight to your rental, it’s an easy way to pack less and enjoy more!
Bike Trails on St. Simons and Jekyll Island
With over 30 miles of trails on St. Simons and a network of serene bike paths on Jekyll Island, you’ll find plenty of options for every skill level.
- St. Simons Island Trail System: This expansive network connects key landmarks like the St. Simons Lighthouse, East Beach, and Fort Frederica. It’s perfect for casual riders and experienced cyclists alike.
- Jekyll Island Trails: Explore quiet, scenic routes that wind through the Historic District, past Driftwood Beach, and around the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. It’s peaceful and picturesque—a true cyclist’s paradise.
Fun Stops Along the Way
Biking on St. Simons and Jekyll Island is as much about the stops as the ride itself. The St. Simons Lighthouse Museum is a great place to start, where you can climb to the top for sweeping views of the island and learn about its rich maritime history. Nearby, the WWII Homefront Museum offers an engaging look at Georgia’s role during World War II, with exhibits housed in a beautifully restored Coast Guard Station.
For a longer ride, visit Christ Church, a historic gem nestled under ancient oaks. It’s quiet grounds and storied past make it a perfect place to pause and reflect. Over on Jekyll Island, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a must-see. Here, you can observe rescued turtles up close while learning about the critical conservation efforts to protect them.
These stops don’t just add variety to your ride—they make the journey unforgettable. And if you pack a picnic, you can turn any of these spots into a scenic lunch break to savor along the way.
Ideal Picnic Spots
Speaking of picnics, packing a basket is always a good idea when biking the Golden Isles. From the shaded tranquility of Cannon’s Point Preserve to Driftwood Beach’s otherworldly vibe, there’s no shortage of spots to unpack a meal and take in the view. For a full list of picnic-perfect locations, check out our guide to the best picnic spots on St. Simons and Jekyll Island. You’ll also find many kid-friendly restaurants and delightful eateries if you just want to relax after your ride and enjoy the coastal breezes.
Family-Friendly Accommodations
Biking on St. Simons and Jekyll Island is even better when you’re staying close to the action. Vacation rentals in the St. Simons’ Village Area offer easy access to trails, beaches, and local restaurants. Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals makes it simple to find the perfect home base for your family’s getaway. Plus, with beach gear rentals, you’ll have everything you need to explore and unwind.
Book your stay today and experience the best of the Golden Isles, one pedal at a time.
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You may remember the “America’s Favorite Towns” survey where St. Simons Island, Georgia ranked #3 for our beautiful natural setting, miles of sandy beaches, sprawling oaks, golf and historic sites.
As part of the “America’s Favorite Towns” poll, Travel + Leisure readers also scored towns on their romantic appeal for the “America’s Most Romantic Towns” list. To calculate the most romantic towns, Travel + Leisure looked at brunch spots, bakeries, wine scenes, scenic picnic-friendly parks and romantic hotels.
Based on these categories, we are pleased to report that St. Simons Island ranked as the #1 Most Romantic Town! We’ll just quote T+L directly:
“America’s top town for romance strikes the right balance between seclusion and accessibility. Located on one of Georgia’s Golden Isles, this southern-style beach town has both white sands and live oaks, and was a hit with readers in romance-friendly categories such as picnicking and charming cafés. You can rent bicycles, browse antique shops, and check out another undeniable marker of romantic destinations: the local lighthouse.”
As a bonus to those who are considering a romantic getaway, another top romantic town is just across the bridge—a quick 12-minute drive from St. Simons Island. Neighboring Brunswick, Georgia ranked #20 among Travel + Leisure readers:
“Established by the British in 1771, this romantic coastal spot is one of the few American towns that kept its colonial street names—a nod to longevity any couple can appreciate. Aside from quirky appeal to history buffs, Brunswick was ranked highly for its festivals, such as autumn’s Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee, where competitors cook up tomatoey pots of stew. Come December, a plethora of twinkly lights is a seasonal enchantment (even on the water, during the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights).”
Turns out, Coastal Georgia is for lovers! Take a look at the Hodnett Cooper St. Simons Island and Brunswick Area Guide for all sorts of activity ideas. For the romantic, a horseback ride on the beach, picnic at oceanfront Neptune Park, a long walk on the beach or a Tree Spirit treasure hunt.
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St. Simons Island is once again proving to be a traveler favorite. In a recent poll, Travel + Leisure fans and followers nominated their favorite towns for consideration. Among the 744 towns nominated and after the final votes were cast, St. Simons Island ranked #3 in overall popularity. Below is the complete article. And click here for a link to other national accolades St. Simons Island has amassed.
October 2013, by Sarah L. Stewart
The votes are in for T+L readers’ best-loved small towns, from Vermont to Utah.
As you watch the sun dip below 14,000-foot peaks from Allred’s restaurant, toast your craft beers to a vacation well spent in Telluride, CO, a historic ski town hip enough to host film and bluegrass festivals.
Telluride, rated No. 7, is just one of the small towns with outsize personalities that proved irresistible to the T+L community. For our first America’s Favorite Towns survey, we asked our fans and followers to nominate their favorites on social media with the hashtag #TLTowns—and then to vote for the 744 towns in 55 categories, including farmers’ markets, museums, adventure travel, and family-friendly hotels.
To determine the overall popularity results, we calculated each town’s average score. The results reveal that T+L readers have a soft spot for small towns in the Rockies, with the No. 1 title going to Aspen, CO, which scored highly for its attractive locals, beer scene, and Victorian-era Main Street.
What most winning towns have in common is a history dating back at least a century. Charlottesville, VA, for instance, still bears the imprint of Thomas Jefferson, who masterminded Monticello and the University of Virginia and also appreciated fine wine. The area makes a scenic wine-country getaway, with the Blue Ridge Mountains for a backdrop.
No. 3 St. Simons, GA
The ebb and flow of the Atlantic dictates life in this resort town on an 18-square-mile island off the Georgia coast. T+L readers gave St. Simons high marks for the caliber of its residents, scoring ninth place for most active and sixth for their intelligence. They’re lucky to live in a beautiful natural setting, with miles of sandy beaches and sprawling oaks. Attractions include golf courses and an 1872 lighthouse with sweeping views.
Photo: Georgia Tourism
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