Short answer
The Sylvania Historic Welcome Center is a Georgia information center on U.S. 301 in Screven County, built in 1961 and the oldest operating state visitor center in the country. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday. Checked on gastateparks.org.
Built in 1961 when U.S. 301 was the short route to Florida, the first welcome center in Georgia and the oldest operating state visitor center in the country. It sits near Magnolia Springs and George L. Smith state parks and the Savannah River.
Plan it in three lines
Getting In
Cost: .
Tuesday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Make It a Day
Magnolia Springs State Park is about 22 miles away. Coming up near here: A Southern Perspective: America 250 in Augusta.
6 events within 50 mi
Sylvania Historic Welcome Center Hours
Days of the week
- Closed Sunday & Monday
A quick view of the usual hours. Seasonal changes and holiday closures are in the list below, so read that before you drive.
- Tuesday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closed Sunday & Monday
What It Costs
- The state page lists no admission fee for the welcome center.
Where It Is and How to Get in Touch
- Address8463 Burton’s Ferry Hwy., Sylvania, GA 30467
- CountyScreven (Southeast Georgia region)
- Approximate map point32.89675, -81.58459 (from the Explore Georgia listing’s directions link; directions in Google Maps by address)
- Office912-829-3331
- Explore Georgia listingexploregeorgia.org/sylvania/visitors-services/services/georgia-visitor-information-center-sylvania
- Official pagegastateparks.org/Sylvania
Dogs and Strollers
- Dogs: Georgia State Parks welcomes pets on a leash no longer than six feet, with the owner at all times. Pets are not allowed in park and historic site buildings, lodges, yurts, group camps, swimming areas or beaches (park rules).
- Strollers: the park does not publish stroller rules. Paths range from paved walks to rough trails, so call ahead (912-829-3331) if you need a stroller-friendly route.
Events Coming Up Near Sylvania Historic Welcome Center
State parks and historic sites
- 1Magnolia Springs State Parkstate park22 mi
- 2George L. Smith State Parkstate park39 mi
- 3Jack Hill State Parkstate park64 mi
- 4Mistletoe State Parkstate park69 mi
Events coming up
- 5A Southern Perspective: America 250Augusta46 mi
- 6America 250 Augusta History TrailAugusta49 mi
- 7Gobbler 5K, 10K & 13.1M at AugustaAugusta47 mi
- 8Holiday Market & Guild Bake SaleAugusta46 mi
- 9NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas BalletAugusta46 mi
- 10Statesboro 5K Turkey TrotStatesboro33 mi
Straight-line distances from the site’s GPS point. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable. The same places are listed below.
- On now through Feb 7, 2027A Southern Perspective: America 250, Augusta (about 46 miles away)
- On now through Dec 31America 250 Augusta History Trail, Augusta (about 49 miles away)
- Nov 14Gobbler 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Augusta, Augusta (about 47 miles away, from $5)
- Nov 19Holiday Market & Guild Bake Sale, Augusta (about 46 miles away)
- Nov 20NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet, Augusta (about 46 miles away, from $23)
- Nov 21Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot, Statesboro (about 33 miles away, from $15)
Events within 50 miles in the next 90 days from our Georgia event calendar, as of ; distances are straight-line from the site’s GPS point. The park’s own ranger programs and events are on the Georgia State Parks events calendar.
Nearby State Parks and Historic Sites
- Magnolia Springs State Park (state park, Jenkins County), about 22 miles away
- George L. Smith State Park (state park, Emanuel County), about 39 miles away
- Jack Hill State Park (state park, Tattnall County), about 64 miles away
- Mistletoe State Park (state park, Columbia County), about 69 miles away
More on It’s Georgia
- All Georgia state parks and historic sites, by region
- Southeast Georgia state parks
- Southeast Georgia: more places to go in the region
Source: the Sylvania Historic Welcome Center page on gastateparks.org (Georgia Department of Natural Resources), checked . Hours and fees change, so check the official page before a long drive. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will re-check it.
Cite this page: It's Georgia, “Sylvania Historic Welcome Center”, itsgeorgia.com/places/sylvania-historic-welcome-center/ (updated ). Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page.