Burnt Fort

Georgia's ghost towns are gold-rush towns from 1829, cotton ports, and kaolin and lumber settlements.

Burnt Fort, originally known as New Hanover, is an unincorporated community and ghost town situated along the Satilla River in western Camden County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. The GNIS classifies the historic site as a populated place. First settled in the mid-18th century as a renegade trading post in colonial "neutral ground," the location later evolved into a strategic military outpost and a bustling late-19th-century timber-rafting settlement before depopulating in the mid-20th century.

Burnt Fort started with soldiers before it had settlers — the frontier's usual order of operations.

The on-the-ground condition of Burnt Fort is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Burnt Fort is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Burnt Fort is roughly 30.9456, -81.8981 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.