🌤 Weather at Jekyll Island State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53–83 °F | 74–91 °F | 53–86 °F | 44–65 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Brunswick Malcolm Mckinnon Airport, 7 mi away, elevation 16 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Jekyll Island State Park is a state park in Georgia near Jekyll Island in Glynn County operated by the Jekyll Island Authority. Spanning 5,700 acres and established in 1947, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | Georgia |
| Nearest City | Jekyll Island |
| County | Glynn County |
| Park Size | 5,700 acres |
| Established | 1947 |
Location & Getting There
Jekyll Island State Park is located near Jekyll Island, Georgia. The park’s coordinates are 31.0605, -81.4216.
Things to Do
The State of Georgia established the whole island as a state park and entrusted it to the Jekyll Island Authority, a self-supporting state entity. You get 10 miles of beaches, each different, from bird watching on St. Andrews to the weathered trees of Driftwood Beach, and more than 24 miles of paths and trails for biking, with rentals at several points on the island. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is the state’s only sea turtle rehabilitation facility, guided trolley tours cover the Historic District, and park rangers lead programs such as Gatorology, Ranger Walk and Snakes of the Southeast. The island also has four golf courses, two miniature golf courses and a tennis center (as of October 2026).
Best Time to Visit
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center runs indoor and outdoor programs year-round, and Jekyll Wheels rents bikes daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. Before a beach day, read the island’s beach safety tips; several beach access points provide beach wheelchairs at no cost.
Visitor Tips
Jekyll Island is managed by the Jekyll Island Authority, not by Georgia State Parks, so the ParkPass does not apply here. Every vehicle on the island pays a parking fee of $10 per day ($15 for vehicles over 8 feet, more on select event days) or $100 for an annual pass (as of October 2026).
Explore More Georgia State Parks
Jekyll Island State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Georgia. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Georgia guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
The Jekyll Island Authority describes more than a thousand acres of maritime forest and marshes on the island. Guided kayak trips watch for dolphins, and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center tracks sea turtle nests and diamondback terrapin crossings.
Nearby Attractions
Brunswick — about 7 miles northwest. St. Simons — about 8 miles north. Georgia Sea Turtle Center — on the island. Jekyll Island Club Resort — on the island. Distances are straight-line.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Crooked River State Park (within about an hour’s drive) and Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site (within about an hour’s drive).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Jekyll Island State Park
Park policy: Jekyll Island is a state park by law, but it is run by the self-supporting Jekyll Island Authority under its own rules, not by Georgia State Parks. The Authority's rules and safety tips (as of October 2026) require pets to be on a leash and physically controlled at all times, with a maximum leash length of 16 feet; an e-collar does not count as a leash.
- Pets allowed?
- Leashed dogs are welcome on most of the island, including most beaches; leash up to 16 feet
- Park-specific rules
- No pets on the beach between the South Dunes Picnic Area and 2,000 feet southeast of the St. Andrews Picnic Area (sea turtle and shorebird protection), and no pets in the dunes anywhere. At the campground, tent and RV sites charge a one-time $4 per pet; the ADA yurt is the only yurt that takes dogs, for a one-time $50 per pet.
Are dogs allowed at Jekyll Island State Park?
Leashed dogs are welcome on most of the island, including most beaches; leash up to 16 feet.
More: Georgia state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Jekyll Island State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
