LegendSkidaway Island State Park Campground
Stone’s Throw to Savannah for Live Oak Shaded Camping & Salt Marshes
Just a short drive SE of downtown Savannah, Skidaway Island SP Campground offers a peaceful escape immersed in marshes, maritime forests, and Spanish moss-draped live oaks. Set along Georgia’s Intracoastal Waterway, the park feels remote while still easily accessible not just to civilization, but arguably one of the greatest little cities in the entire South, making it perfect for folks who want to grab a pristine slice of nature without having to sacrifice comfort and / or quick access to shops, restaurants and more salt water taffy shops on the Savannah riverfront than you can imagine.
The campground hosts some 87 tent, trailer and RV sites, many of which include water and electric hookups (usually 30/50 amp), and about 17 premium spots with full hookups. Sites are gravel, shaded, and include a picnic table, fire ring and grill making it ideal for gathering around the campfire. On-site you’ll find incredibly well-kept and clean restrooms with flush toilets, hot showers, a laundry room, dump station and an excellent CG store near the front of the property (near the entrance) for staples like firewood, snacks, ice and souvenirs. There are 3 yurts that the SP will rent you offering enhanced comfort with A/C, heat, kitchens, bathrooms and screened porches - perfect for those seeking a bit more luxury. Pets are allowed in campsites but not in the cabins. Additional features include three pioneer group campsites, a group shelter, laundry facilities, playgrounds and even outdoor fitness equipment with Wi-Fi available at the park office.
What sets Skidaway Island apart from other SPs is, yes, its proximity to an exquisite city, but very much so, the wildlife you'll discover here with deer, fiddler crabs, raccoons and egrets being frequent sightings, which you’ll encounter while experiencing the six miles of hiking trails weaving through salt marsh and maritime forest. The boardwalk and observation tower over the Skidaway Narrows offer scenic glimpses of birdlife and nature. Engaging ranger programs, geocaching and an interpretive center deepen the experience. While close enough to Savannah, if you are not familiar with the area, you should definitely check out Tybee Island (about 30–40 minutes away) to easily combine camping with beach day-trips.
Insider Tips? Oh yeah, I’ve got quite a few for you: (1) For big rigs, book one of the premium full-hookup pull-through sites as they’re roomy and easier to access, although the low-hanging Spanish moss can be tricky to maneuver but will give you tons of shade and creates a peaceful vibe; (2) Even if you’re not staying in a yurt, stop by and check them out as they’re very well made, cozy and well-equipped; (3) Take the Big Ferry and Marsh Trail to the observation tower for sunrise or sunset wildlife viewing where you’ll be richly rewarded, but be sure to bring either that double-walled thermos of coffee for early AM sipping or that cocktail shaker set pre-loaded with your favorite elixir for proper sun-downers; (4) One of the biggest ‘pro tips’ I could give anyone coming to Skidaway is LOAD UP ON FIREWOOD *** BEFORE *** you arrive as every imaginable place that sells firewood within a 20 mile radius was completely out – and while the CG store has a firewood box in front of the store, it was either always locked or out of wood by the time we stopped by; (5) Another huge ‘pro tip’ is given the very close proximity to Publix, which is literally right outside the CG, you don’t really need to load up your coolers too much as you can simply go there whenever you need something, so let Publix keep your supplies cool and save yourself some packing!; (6) Beware of ant infestations – the little guys were literally EVERYWHERE, so I was grateful that I remembered to pack 1 can of ant spray from another bad camping experience, so we sprayed a perimeter around our tent and we were fine; (7) You will also want to be mindful that the black-eyed furry bandits (racoons) were INCREDIBLY aggressive and would actually come straight up to our picnic table and grab things WHILE WE WERE EATING and tried to run away with our bags, food and even a small pot!; and (8) When you grow weary of conjuring up that next meal from your cooler and want to try out some local fare, these are some nearby joints I'd recommend: Castaways, Sandfly BBQ where you’ll want to definitely gnosh on the smoked chicken, baked beans and cole slaw, Crystal Beer Parlor for old school cheesburger’s in a century’s old grocery store and Loc’s Chicken & Waffles, but if you want something truly transformation, venture into Savannah for fantastic dining at The Grey with its sizzlin’ smoking pig and Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House for succulent fried chicken – both of which require advance reservations and likely a better outfit than the one you might be camping in – and finish an excellent bit of dining with some of the best ice cream in the universe over at Leopold’s Ice Cream Parlor.
Happy Camping!
