Picnic area at Fort Pulaski National Monument

A large picnic area is located west of Fort Pulaski, far enough away that most people will want to drive to it, though there is a .6-mile trail that connects it to the fort area (see the Picnic Area Trail for details). When you come over the bridge to Cockspur Island and are heading to the fort, you will pass the picnic area road on your left. It is the only other road in the park. The Fort Pulaski National Monument headquarters office, a maintenance shop, and the U. S. Coast Guard office for Tybee Island are also located on this road, but only the picnic area has any relevance for tourists.

There are ten tables—no grills—in an enclosed picnic shelter located next to the parking lot. The windows on the shelter are screened, not glass, so the wind can flow through to cool things down a bit on a hot, summer day. There is also a ceiling fan.

Covered picnic shelter at Fort Pulaski National Monument

Tables inside the picnic shelter at Fort Pulaski National Monument

Picnic table for disabled visitors at Fort Pulaski National Monument

There are 20 tables in the wooded section of the picnic area, and it is here that you will find the only grill at Fort Pulaski. I seriously doubt the National Park Service installed only one grill when the picnic area was built. This grill is simply the only one left standing, and the government isn’t in any hurry to remedy the situation. As of March 2022, the restroom building doesn’t work either, and it hasn’t been working since my first visit in 2015. Portable toilets are located in the parking lot.

Table with grill at the Fort Pulaski National Monument picnic area

Picnic tables in the wooded section of the Fort Pulaski National Monument picnic area

There is also a large field for playing games.

Large field at the Fort Pulaski National Monument picnic area

Groups can get a Special Use Permit to reserve tables or the enclosed picnic building, otherwise all tables are taken on a first come, first served basis. For more information on permits, call Fort Pulaski National Monument at (912) 219-4233. You can also check out the National Park Service’s Permits web page for Fort Pulaski National Monument.

Back to the Top