About Fort McAllister State Park
Fort McAllister State Park preserves a major Civil War earthwork fortification on the Ogeechee River south of Savannah. Built to defend the river approaches, the earthen fort survived repeated attacks by Union ironclads before it was captured in 1864, an event that opened a supply route for General William T. Sherman’s army near the end of the March to the Sea.
Visitors can walk through the surviving earthworks and see features such as cannons, bombproofs, palisades, barracks areas, and a hot-shot furnace. The park’s museum adds artifacts, exhibits, and a film that explain the fort’s construction, defenses, soldiers, and wartime role. The preserved landscape makes it possible to understand why heavy earthen defenses could withstand naval bombardment more effectively than many masonry forts.
The historic site is part of a larger 1,725-acre state park framed by live oaks, salt marsh, Redbird Creek, and the Ogeechee River. Hiking, fishing, boating, picnicking, camping, and cabins complement the historical experience, making Fort McAllister a strong stop for visitors who want both a substantial Civil War site and a coastal Georgia outdoor destination.
