SP Campground Review – Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah, GA
A super relaxed and forested State Park just ~15 miles from downtown Savannah, GA
Note/ Review Updated as of last stay Nov, 2017
Link to campground here: Skidaway Island State Park, GA
Link to map here: Skidaway Island State Park, GA
- Site Quality = 4/5
Very nice sites here with just a few minor dings. All sites are large, gravel sites, mostly pull-through with a select few back-in. Sites offer either FHU ($49/night) or electric/water (either 50A or 30A depending on the site, $40/night). There is also Cable TV (!) although I’ve heard it can be hit and miss whether it works at your individual site (it worked at ours). Each site also offers a spacious “sitting area” containing a raised tent area with picnic table and grill. Generally all sites are nice and there is excellent separation and a very good selection of trees and shade throughout, but different the camping areas of the campground do have significantly different feels:- Camping Area 1: This is the bottom right section of camp. There are a select number of 50A sites (#1-10) which are nicely separated in a small loop right near the entrance to camp and are perfect for bigger rigs. The remainder of the sites are somewhat smaller (but still fine) and a mix of either 30A or 50A. Just be aware of the narrow 2-way street thro’ camp (see NOTE1 below).
- Camping Area 2: This the FHU section (50A/water/sewer) of the campground. All the FHU sites are either huge (ginormous!!) pull-throughs or spacious back-ins. Perhaps a little less forest in this area of camp compared to the other sections, but separation is excellent so it still feels nicely private. Also ANY sized-rig could fit in here and access is super easy from the main 2-way road.
- Camping Area 3: This is in the top right section of the campground. Nice mix of 50 & 30A sites here with very good separation and a nice canopy of forest/trees. This is where we stayed and we really liked it. Just be aware of the narrow 2-way street thro’ camp (see NOTE1 below)
- Camping Area 4: This is the most forested part of the campground, but it’s also the area with the smallest sites (and curviest road). All sites here are 30A and because of the abundance of trees/road they are best be suited to smaller rigs (around 30-feet or less IMO). This is the only part of the campground I do NOT advise for big rigs.
- NOTE1/ One thing to be aware of in this campground, especially for bigger rigs, are the narrow side-roads. The central road thro’ camp (down the middle of camping area 2) is a spacious 2-way street which can easily accommodate 2 big-rigs passing each other, but the roads that go through the side-camping areas (#1/3/4) are quite curvy, narrow single-lane roads, but are still 2-way!! It can be a tad tricky to navigate these latter roads with a big-rig and if you meet a car going the other way you will not be able to pass each other without pulling into a site. For those with big-rigs who are worried, plan to unhook and scout ahead with your car before you bring in the “beast”.
- NOTE2/ At this park you can book a spot (either a “regular” campsite or an ADA-accessible campsite), but NOT a specific site. So, you simply drive around and chose an open (available) site after you’ve checked in.
- NOTE3/ There are also 3 rentable cottages which had no views, but looked pretty decent. These are in loop 2, right across the way from some of the FHU sites.
- Facilities = 4.5/5
Good facilities here. Facilities include flush toilets & 2 large individual shower stalls with bench and pegs for your clothing. Everything was decently clean and showers good water temp control. Only ding? Only one of the showers had a nice shower head (the disabled-access shower), whereas the other had that annoying spray type head. Each facility (one in each loop) also offers washer and dryer for laundry ($1.25 each). On-site dump station. - Location = 5/5
Wonderful location here! You are only ~30 mins from downtown Savannah which has all the shopping, eating, groceries & sightseeing you could want. Also you are ~40 minutes from Tybee Island (beach, lighthouse). The campground itself is also nicely quiet with lots of hiking trails & peace. As an added bonus there’s a Publix just around the corner (biking distance). We loved it here! - Pet Friendliness = 5/5
Great place for doggie. Lots of space in camp, plus miles of nature trails to hike. On-site poo bags provided too.
Overall Rating = 4.6
BONUS ALERT = Camp just 20 minutes from downtown Savannah!
Video Overview: Want to see it in living color? Check out our ~17 min overview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXujfSr2v6Q&t=81s
Summary: This is yet another gorgeous GA State Park in great location to explore Savannah. The park itself is just lovely. The campground is heavily forested and quiet with tons of dog-friendly hiking trails. Sites are large, gravel pull-throughs (mostly) with a selection of either enormous FHU sites or electric/water sites (either 50A or 30A, depending on the site). All sites are pretty nice too with extra large raised “sitting areas”, good privacy and great separation. The only strange thing about camp is the roads are all 2-way, and only one of the them (the main road thro’ camping area 2) can actually accommodate 2 rigs passing each other. The side roads (thro’ areas 1/3/4) are all single-lane and quite curvy, meaning you’ve got to watch it as you’re driving your “beast” thro’ camp (we actually recommend unhooking near the entrance to the camping loops and scouting ahead for a site with your toad). Also, all the sites can pretty much accommodate larger rigs, except for camping area #4 (the smallest, most forested areas of camp) which is really better-suited to smaller rigs. As is common with GA state parks, you can book a spot here, but not a specific site. So, you just drive around a choose an open site after you check-in. The location is fabulous too. It’s just ~30 mins from downtown Savannah and only ~40 mins to Tybee Island (beach/lighthouse). The park itself is heavily forested and quiet with tons of hiking trails, plus there’s a Publix (groceries) biking distance away, just around the corner. We really enjoyed the location, loved the hiking, our relaxing (and HUGE) campsite and the campground itself. Definitely a spot we would come back to without hesitation!
Extra Info: Good, reliable cell signal (4 bars Verizon LTE, 2 bars ATT LTE and T-Mobile Binge-On worked). Total 87 sites all reservable on-line (you can only reserve a spot, not a specific site). Sites are either FHU ($49/night) or water/electric only ($40/night). There is an additional $5 GA State Park pass fee for all campers (unless you have the yearly GA pass). On-site dump station.
Love this campground great walking or biking trails out to bird watching tower .
Very nice museum with giant sloth ,we stayed there on our way to the Florida Keys.
We stayed at Skidaway Island SP in October of 2014 on our 3 month trip around the country. It was one of the best we stayed at. http://glelin-travels1.blogspot.com/2014/10/savannah-ga-october-2nd-4th.html
Great blog, Thanks
We enjoyed our stay at Skidaway (site 8), its quiet restful feel and its proximity to Savanah made it a perfect stop for us.
Nice site choice! Yup, it was great for us too!
Nina
Wow! How did you know we were looking for a RV park near Savannah, GA!? It looks like it will handle our 45′ fifth wheel We really appreciate your review, and I think we’ll probably check it out in a couple of weeks when we are there. Any other suggestions about what to see or do in Savannah? We live in Chattanooga, TN, so it’s a pretty easy days drive for us. Thanks again for you very informative and helpful review! Happy trails!
Yup, you’ll definitely be able to get in here, especially if you book one of the big FHU pull-through sites. PLENTY of space in those for literally any-sized rig. And for tips on what to do in Savannah check out my blog post on the area (just click on the linked text in the campground review). Enjoy your stay!
Nina
Very nice review. Thanks, we plan on going there when on the east coast.
Btw, we followed your advice and came up 395 in CA. It filled up my “soul”
bank. We just loved it. So peaceful, relaxing, and beautiful. We are now in Weed, on our way to WA.
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed one of our absolute favorite drives (of all time). Have fun in the West!
Nina
The park is excellent and your description is spot on. The trails are fun and easy, they can get flooded if the tides are above normal.
This park is small however and the roads around it are not public. It is surrounded by gated communities so you can only go to the shopping center or down the road to the Oceanography center. A little disappointing to not be able to ride around on the bikes and explore.
Stayed here early in our full time adventure. We had a large rotten Spanish moss laden limb fall onto our roof. With incredible luck it hit in a space not much bigger than the limb between a solar panel and the bathroom sky light knocking the light fixture cover in the bathroom to the floor with a loud shattering noise It was in the middle of the night and I though for certain it had smashed a 160 watt solar panel. Very pleased to have so little damage for so much noise.
Hi, loved the park. we stayed in #6. Spent two days in Savannah. Great walking city.
Hi Nina and Paul,
Great review on he park !!! Out of curiosity could you explain what differs the ADA site from the regular sites ???? Thanks again, Colleen
The ADA sites provide additional access for Americans with Disabilities. So typically they will be somewhat larger/flatter with additional access or paving suitable for wheelchairs. They will also typically be closer to the restrooms.
Nina
Enjoy reading your reviews, this park looks great. My question is how far in advance do you have to make reservations or is it first come, first served? I know here in Oregon most of the state parks are booked full months in advance. Might be a point to consider including in your future reviews. Thanks again for the comprehensive coverage and magnificent photography.
Don
Reservations are definitely recommended. Right now only the weekends are booked, but in the vacation seasons I imagine it’s all week long.
Bt the way I mention in both the written review (under “extra info”) and the video review that all sites are reservable.
Nina
What a complete and informative campground review!!!!! Thank you!!
We have never been to Skidaway but have heard nothing but good stuff!! We will have to experience this soon!!
Greetings Paul and Nina! My husband and I just went full time on March 5th of this year (my husband’s birthday! Wooohooo!). We have followed your blog for over a year now in anticipation of realizing our own dream and have so enjoyed your travels and especially the care and consideration you have bestowed upon your paws family! So glad that all of you are doing well and that you continue to overcome the little hitches and bumps in your ‘get a long’. Thank you for the information and inspiration! Happy trails!
Well a huge congrats on starting the new lifestyle! I wish you many happy years of travel and exploration!
Nina
Hi Nina and Paul! I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now. Thanks so much for all the terrific information. I have a general question for you. My husband and I have no experience (yet) with RVing but I’m convinced that we will love it. We will start slowly by renting one this summer for a long weekend and then more frequently and someday will buy a rig. However, my husband knows someone from work who has just given up the full-time life because of the ‘clientele’ in RV parks. I follow a number of blogs and don’t recall that being a problem at all. I’m sure every RVer comes across people you just don’t want to deal with. We all have that experience occasionally anyways, whether RVing or not. Can you speak to this issue? How common is it to run into nasty people? What are your recommendations? I keep telling him that’s why you boondock – to get away from everyone. Thanks so much!
I have to admit I’m surprised by your friends experience, since our experience has pretty much been the exact opposite. The majority of folks we’ve met RVing are friendly, and in the 8 years we’ve been on the road we’ve only come across a handful or so that we really didn’t like.
Personally I feel RVing brings people together. Most RVers are adventurers at heart, so they tend to be pretty social and open-minded. Plus we’re all travelers so we have that in common too. I can honestly say we’ve met far more people and become far more social on the road than we ever did in a regular house.
Nina
Apparently we were also staying at Skidaway when you were there as I see our coach in one of your pictures. Agree this is a great park. we had a fun 6 day stay. For those planning a visit, a couple notes – the sites with sewer hook-up book up far in advance, so book early. Otherwise, the dump station is very accessible. Also, the back loop road (approx sites 11 – 46) is not only narrow, there are large roots that have pushed the road up in places. Narrow is one thing, going over those humps while swaying back and forth with trees at the edge of the pavement made this loop a no go for us. And we’re only 34ft. Also, be watchful for ticks. We pulled several off the dog and hubby. when we return we will rake back leaf piles. Also we didn’t leave awning extended when we weren’t using it because it did look like branches might come down. Guess that’s the trade off for shady spots/
Highly recommend buying the Friends of Georgia State Parks pass. It pays for itself with 2 free nights stays ( for family pass. 1 night for individual) and discounts on other nights, gift shops, etc. Plus gives you free day access to state parks.
That’s a good tip and when we go back thro GA I think that’s exactly what we’ll do.
Nina
Nice review! We’re full-timers from NH, traveling the east corridor avoiding snow and we usually make a stop at Skidaway. I second Jeanne’s recomendation. Also, if you’re a reader, check out the library in the community along the east side of the park. They have a terrific used book sale section. We make it a point to stock up on reading material for the long Florida winters.
Ron
As of early this year you now reserve specific sites. This changed after I made my reservation last Nov and they contacted me to update my reservation with my specific site wish before the change went public. Loved this CG!
Thanks for the update! I’ll update the blog post with this info when I have some spare time.
Nina
Beginning in 2018 you can reserve specific spots.
We’ve been twice and have really enjoyed the park. The trail that allows biking needs work, so be aware it is a bumpy ride with frequent dismounting to get over rough areas.
THANK you for the update Cherry!
Nina
Hi Nina, we recently stayed several nights at this park and loved it. We have stayed at many parks you’ve reviewed and you have yet to steer us wrong. Thank you so much.
So very happy my campground reviews are still helping folks out. May you have many good travels ahead of you.
Nina