A relic of the pre-railroad days, the Savannah-Ogeechee River Canal (681 Ft. Argyle Rd., 912/748-8068, www.savannahogeecheecanal.com, daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m., $2 adults, $1 students) is a 17-mile barge route joining the two rivers. Finished in 1830, it saw three decades of prosperous trade in cotton, rice, bricks, guano, naval stores, and agriculture before the coming of the railroads finished it off.

You can walk some of its length today near the Ogeechee River terminus, admiring the impressive engineering of its multiple locks to stabilize the water level. Back in the day, the canal would continue through four lift locks as it traversed 16 miles, before reaching the Savannah River.

Naturalists will enjoy the built-in nature trail that walking along the canal provides. Be sure to check out the unique sand hills nearby, a vestige of a bygone geological era when this area was an offshore sandbar. Kids will enjoy the impromptu menagerie of gopher turtles near the site’s entrance.

Getting to Savannah-Ogeechee River Canal

To get there, get on I-95 south and take Exit 94. The canal is a little over two miles west.