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All the United States Georgia Jekyll Island Driftwood Beach
AO Edited

Driftwood Beach

Constant erosion has created a surreal landscape of bleached and preserved fallen trees.

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Added By
leighbelle
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Driftwood Beach at dusk.   Logala / Atlas Obscura User
The quiet and picturesque beach is on the north end of Jekyll Island.   Logala / Atlas Obscura User
It looks like a tree graveyard.   Uploaded by User
  stephaniepeterson746 / Atlas Obscura User
4-18-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
4-18-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
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Driftwood Beach, Summer 2017   kayjay6284 / Atlas Obscura User
Panoramic Driftwood Beach, Summer 2017   kayjay6284 / Atlas Obscura User
Driftwood Beach, Summer 2017   kayjay6284 / Atlas Obscura User
Driftwood Beach, Summer 2017   kayjay6284 / Atlas Obscura User
Tide pool @ Driftwood Beach, Summer 2017   kayjay6284 / Atlas Obscura User
Driftwood Beach, Summer 2017   kayjay6284 / Atlas Obscura User
Driftwood Beach, Summer 2017   kayjay6284 / Atlas Obscura User
Tree root system, over 5 ft tall. Driftwood Beach, Summer 2017   kayjay6284 / Atlas Obscura User
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4-18-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
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4-18-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
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4-18-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
4-18-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Jekyll Island—Georgia state’s smallest barrier island—is a narrow sediment deposit that runs along the coastline. The unique geography of Jekyll Island has given rise to a lovely and surreal beach that doubles as a graveyard for trees.

Picture this: gnarly pine and oak trees litter a desolate beach, standing like twisted sculptures in front of a picturesque coast. Some of the trees remain fully exposed and some appear to emerge from the depths of the sand. Driftwood beach is a sight to behold, looking like a veritable graveyard for sun-bleached trees. 

According to the Driftwood Beach website, "this is due to the north end of the island slowly eroding away and being deposited on the south end of the island." In other words, the eroded soil became increasingly unable to support the trees, which then fell and decayed gradually over time, creating the beautiful and otherworldly sun-bleached formations of Driftwood Beach seen today.

Today, Driftwood Beach is a popular spot for amateur photographers, and a unique venue for local couples to tie the knot. 

Related Tags

Beaches Trees Islands Geological Oddities Nature Natural Wonders Geology Plants

Know Before You Go

Driftwood Beach is a short walk east from the big fishing pier on the north end of Jekyll Island, but you can see it from the pier. For the best views, be prepared to walk about a mile from the parking area. Feeling adventurous? Just past Villa’s By The Sea, there is a place you can pull off the road and follow the unmarked path down to the beach.

You may also park on the road next to the beach. There is a short path through the trees to arrive at the beach. Google Maps was more accurate than Apple Maps for finding the exact location of the beach.

Community Contributors

Added By

leighbelle

Edited By

leslipeterson, stephaniepeterson746, Osage, ellenandbrian1028...

  • leslipeterson
  • stephaniepeterson746
  • Osage
  • ellenandbrian1028
  • thegenxjourney
  • Logala
  • breaingram
  • kayjay6284
  • Darrell Powers
  • timelesscreations
  • sunflowergirl
  • mdm335
  • itschristina
  • kaseyliz
  • rachelbaker1982

Published

May 19, 2017

Edit this listing

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Sources
  • http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/abouthabitat/barrierislands.html
  • http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/geography-environment/jekyll-island
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=NEgVBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA363&dq=driftwood+beach+georgia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiI8YOWnfrTAhUG2SYKHXcXDvEQ6AEILjAC#v=onepage&q=driftwood%20beach%20georgia&f=false
  • https://vanishingcoastalgeorgia.com/2013/03/02/driftwood-beach-boneyard-jekyll-island/
  • https://365atlantatraveler.com/the-georgia-coast/
  • https://365atlantatraveler.com/jekyll-island/
Driftwood Beach
1198 Riverview Drive
Jekyll Island, Georgia, 31527
United States
31.103388, -81.40404
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Horton House

Jekyll Island, Georgia

miles away

DuBignon Cemetery

Jekyll Island, Georgia

miles away

Saint Simons Island Tree Spirits

Saint Simons Island, Georgia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island

Georgia

Places 5
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Horton House

Jekyll Island, Georgia

miles away

DuBignon Cemetery

Jekyll Island, Georgia

miles away

Saint Simons Island Tree Spirits

Saint Simons Island, Georgia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island

Georgia

Places 5
Stories 1

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