Located just a short drive from Savannah’s historic streets, Outside offers an outdoor playground that challenges and invites all who seek to break free from the urban pace. This area stands apart as the go-to spot for hiking, kayaking, and trail running, with terrain that shifts between shaded pine forests and open marshland edges, giving the feel of a landscape fiercely itself—a place that dares you to engage with its natural rhythms.

The primary hiking loop covers around 5 miles, with a modest 450 feet in elevation gain. The well-marked trails cut through sandy soils under towering loblolly pines and offer patches of thick palmetto that sway as if to warn of marsh breezes nearby. Along the way, the Ogeechee River slips past, currents pushing steadily, beckoning kayakers and paddlers with promises of a quiet water adventure. The river’s voice, low and insistent, contrasts with the trail’s steady crunch beneath your boots.

Outside’s terrain requires a mix of agility and stamina, balancing soft earth with occasional exposed roots and narrow singletrack sections. For the casual hiker, sturdy footwear with decent grip matters; for the seasoned adventurer, it offers enough technical features to remain engaging without being intimidating. Hydration is key; pockets of sun open up unexpectedly along the loop, and the humidity, especially in summer, can weigh heavily on the lungs.

Timing your trip during early morning hours rewards you with cooler air and the chance to watch local wildlife stir—a family of deer often crosses silently, and wading birds call below as the sun rises. Late afternoons bring thickening shadows and a cooler hush, a reminder to keep your pace steady and respect the land’s own sense of time.

Plan your visit with the seasons in mind: spring floods can swell the river, inviting paddlers but urging extra caution, while fall uncovers wild berries and ripe persimmons. Your gear should include layered clothing for sudden changes, a reliable water source, and a navigation aid—this stretch of coast maintains its wild mood, never quite tamed.

Savannah residents and visitors alike find Outside provides an escape with an edge—a chance to meet the outdoors on its own terms. This is no mere stroll; this is an invitation to engage fully, ready for whatever the forest and river offer. Whether you come to trail run, kayak, or simply hike, Outside respects your effort and returns reward—not just in views but in the feeling of having touched something real and fiercely alive.