Nestled in the marsh and swamplands of Georgia, Skidaway Island State Park offers a great escape from the city life. The park offers year-round activities for all kinds of campers. There are sand dunes nearby for exploration, and you can also see some of the 300 species of birds that call the barrier islands home. Explore the marshes by canoe or by tours offered by the park. The historic district of Savannah is less than 30 minutes away from the campgrounds, and there are plenty of places to shop, eat, or just explore within minutes of the park for the whole family.
The campsites are spacious and provide a lot of privacy from your neighbor. Eighty-seven campsites are available to choose from and are intended for RV, tent, and trailer camping. The park has 588 acres for exploration and serves as a beautiful place to go boating on the Skidaway River, which runs along the park.
There are many activities RV campers can enjoy like hiking on six miles of nature trails or spotting diverse avian species on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. Whatever brings you and your motorhome to Georgia, you won't want to miss a stop at Skidaway Island State Park.
Skidaway Island State Park is 15 miles away from the coastal city of Savannah. If you need to purchase some supplies, fill up on gas or grab something to eat - you'll find it there. RVers traveling to the park along I-95 won't experience any heigh restrictions or obstacles along the way.
While driving up to the park roads, make sure you lower your speed. There are a lot of tree roots and possible potholes on the road to the entrance. Large RVs will want to use caution since some of the roads are narrow. If you are arriving at night be sure to keep your high beams on for a better view of the area. The roads in the campground are a bit more maintained due to the lack of tree roots under the gravel. Be sure to keep your speed low as you travel in the park and watch out for pedestrians. It is recommended that you either ride or bike while you are in the park, that way you can have a better experience.
If you are going to camp at the park, then you can go and park your rig at your site. Day visitors will find ample parking a short distance away from the park office.
The park offers 87 campsites for tent, trailer, or RV camping. Most sites offer water and electric hookups, and 17 are premium sites with full hookups, so be sure to look at the site amenities before you reserve a spot. For the sites that do not have hookups, there is a dump station you can use nearby. The larger sites can hold trailers up to 70 feet long and the smaller lots up to a 35-foot trailer. The sites are spacious and well shaded.
Amenities include hot showers, laundry facilities, and restrooms so that you can look and feel clean for the entire duration of your visit. Fire rings, picnic tables, and grills are also available at each site so you can cook and enjoy yourself. You'll also be close to some scenic hiking trails. Remember to only burn firewood that has been approved by the park, so that you can help prevent diseases and pests from being introduced to the island. You can stay a limit of 14 days and reserve a spot up to 13 months in advance.
There are no first-come, first-served campsites at this park.
The park offers ranger programs for children, and adults are welcome to tag along. You can sign up at the park along with your family to learn about the park’s natural habitat and its efforts to preserve the environment around the island. This is a great way to explore the outdoors and learn something you never knew before. The rangers are very knowledgeable and enjoy sharing the information they have learned. Keep in mind that you may come across a few wild animals, and it is recommended that you do not attempt to pet or feed the animal no matter how adorable they are.
Geocaching or geo-touring is very popular in Georgia state parks and can be considered as one of the most widespread versions of a treasure hunt. To go geocaching you will need a device that has GPS, a pen or pencil, the mindset of a pirate, and your own treasure to trade. Remember to leave the cache exactly as you found it so that others can enjoy finding it after you. Bring along a few snacks in case you get hungry and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. You may want to bring bug repellent and sunscreen because of the swampy surroundings. This is an interactive game the whole family can enjoy to get out of the rig and explore the park.
Georgia is home to over 300 species of birds. At Skidaway Island State Park, you can go into the interpretive center and find binoculars, reference books, and a window to observe the different birds from. You can make a game out of it with your family to see who can spot the different types of sparrows, thrashers, and cardinals. Print out a checklist beforehand to keep track of the different species of birds you see. Be sure to take a few pictures of the birds you spot to show your family and friends when you go home.
Visitors looking for an alternative to RV or tent camping can try out one of the parks three camper cabins. You can find the cabins in the Skidaway Island State Park Campground. Two of the cabins can sleep up to five people, the other cabin is ADA-accessible and can accommodate a total of four people. Visitors must bring along their own cookware and utensils, and linen as they are not provided with the cabins.
The cabin has a bedroom with a queen-sized bed and a loft with two single beds. The two cabins that are not ADA-accessible have a sofa sleeper, enabling them to sleep a total of five people. You can stay in the cabins throughout the year because it has air conditioning and central heating. While the cabins don't have cookware or utensils, they are equipped with a stove, oven coffee maker, microwave, and refrigerator. You will also have your own bathroom with a flushing toilet and a shower stall. Outside there is a picnic table, fire ring, and grill that you can use.
Organized groups of campers looking for a more primitive camping experience can camp at one of the park's pioneer campsites. The three campsites are backpack-in sites, so you will need to bring along all your supplies and camping equipment and hike from a half-mile to a mile along one of the trails to reach your site. The sites are in full shade and can each accommodate groups of up to 30 people. Site amenities include a pit privy, a fire ring, picnic tables, an Adirondack shelter, and a water spigot. One of the sites has two Adirondack shelters available. Unfortunately, there are no shower facilities available for pioneer campers to use during their stay. The pioneer sites are all dog-friendly, so make sure to bring along your furry friends on your camping trip.
You can picnic throughout the park with a blanket or some chairs, but if you are looking for something more structural and shaded, you can reserve one of the park picnic shelters located adjacent to the campgrounds. These are perfect for family reunions, birthday parties, and other special occasions and can each accommodate up top 50 people. You can make use of the playground and a volleyball court nearby and enjoy a picnic or a BBQ afterward. Each shelter has its own grill, water source, and access to electricity. You can find restrooms a short walk away from the shelters.
Skidaway Island State Park has over six miles of trails for you to explore with your family when you want to head out of the camper. Dogs are allowed on the trails but remember to clean up after them to keep the trails beautiful. The majority of the trails are paved or covered with hardened sand. Watch out for the large roots that may pop up in your path and bring a water bottle with you along your hike. The trails are not very hilly, like the trails on the mainland, but if you want a challenge then you can walk the entire six miles of trails and see what beautiful plants and animals you may come across.
The Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail runs along the outer region of Skidaway Island State Park. The trail is over 800 miles long and hugs along the coast of the Southeastern States from Virginia to Georgia. You can bring your canoe, kayak, or paddleboard to travel along the trail with your family. You can choose to travel along the path going from state to state and exploring the marshland and swamp areas. Remember to wear a life jacket while you are on the water, and keep an eye on the water and weather conditions before setting out.
If you plan on going fishing on the Skidaway Narrows, there are a few places nearby that offer bait and rods if you forgot to bring your own. You will need a valid license to go fishing. Besides the Skidaway Narrows, you can also go fishing near the pier, which offers assistance to those who may have a disability. Be sure to check the forecast and regulations before you go fishing. You are likely to catch a few bass, trout, red drum, whiting, and many others along the Skidaway Narrow and other streams in the park. If your an avid fisherman this is a great place to cast your line during your RV road trip in Georgia.
Georgia is known for its exceptional crabbing, and the park is no exception. Both young and old can try their hand at crabbing during their visit to the park. You can enjoy crabbing all year round, but the best time is from August to October when the harvest is at its peak. You can drop your crab pots in the river or by the fishing pier, which is a popular spot. Make sure to keep an eye on the size of your crabs, peelers must be three inches and males must be five inches.
If you would like to do some crabbing during your visit you will need to purchase a recreational fishing license, which allows you to place a daily maximum of six crab pots. If you are fishing by yourself, you can keep up to a bushel a day for yourself. If you are up to two bushels a day if you are fishing with more than one person.
