Skidaway Island State Park

Skidaway Island State Park is a haven with Spanish moss-draped oaks, salt marshes, trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas.

The state of Georgia established the 588-acre state park to preserve coastal ecosystems. Through the late 20th century, conservationists worked to protect the salt flats, tidal creeks, and stretches of maritime forest. 

Situated near the Skidaway Narrows, this region has long been vital to trade routes, agriculture, and now tourism. Since it's only about a 30-minute drive from the Savannah Historic District, planning a fun-filled day at the State Park is easy. Also nearby are other attractions, such as Tybee Island and Pin Point Heritage Museum. With so much to see and do, the possibilities for an adventurous itinerary are endless!

Beyond its natural allure, Skidaway Island State Park has an intriguing historical layer. Fossils indicate that prehistoric creatures roamed the area. Imagine walking on trails where ground sloths or mammoths once trod. The Visitors Center features a replica of the ground sloth, along with bird feeding stations and a butterfly garden.

With water sports, trails, nature displays, marshlands, and history, Skidaway Island State Park has something for everyone.

Skidaway Island State Park: Fun Facts & Cool Features 

One of the Park's popular attractions is the boardwalk and observation tower. The three-story deck-style structure offers unobstructed views of the expansive salt marshes, ideal for bird and nature watching.

The Park's four trails will appeal to fans of history, nature, and exercise. With over six miles to explore, each trail has a unique ecosystem and storied past. For example, the Sandpiper Trail is a one-mile loop on a boardwalk that is ADA-certified. Here, you'll spot fiddler crabs, marshes, Confederate earthen works, and even a former 1930s moonshine site. 

The residents of Skidaway Island are another feature that attracts visitors. The Park is home to whitetail deer, raccoons, fiddler crabs, and alligators. The State Park is also part of the Georgia Birding & Wildlife Trails, making it a popular stop for birdwatchers. The Park is home to osprey, warblers, herons, and various songbirds.

The State Park also offers plenty of options for those who would like to spend a few days and nights on site, such as:

• 3 Camper Cabins
• 87 Tent, Trailer & RV Campsites
• 3 Yurts
• 3 Pioneer Campgrounds 

Add in the two playgrounds, the fishing, swimming, and kayaking areas, and it's an outdoor paradise!

Dining options are relatively close, like Drift Away Cafe, which is a short 15-minute drive away. And with the Historic District relatively close, options like The Vault Kitchen & Market make planning a meal after a day of exploration easy.

Whether you want to try and spot an alligator, hike the various trails, or camp in a yurt, Skidaway Island State Park is your Savannah go-to for nearby outdoor fun.

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions from downtown Savannah to Skidaway Island State Park:

• Start on W Bay Street and head east for 0.5 miles.
• Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
• Continue for 0.4 miles.
• Use the left two lanes to take I-516 E; travel 5.5 miles.
• Merge onto Harry S. Truman Parkway. 
• Continue on Truman Parkway for 6 miles.
• Take the Whitfield Avenue exit and turn left onto Whitfield Avenue/State Route 204. 
• Follow for 4.2 miles.
• Turn right onto Diamond Causeway.
• Continue for 4.5 miles.
• Turn left onto Skidaway Island Park Road.
• Address: 52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411

Cost

With so many camping and facility rental options, we can only list a few to give you an idea of the costs of visiting Skidaway Island State Park:

• $5 for a daily parking pass.
• $50 for an annual parking pass.
• Yurts: $125 a night or $875 a week.
• Picnic shelters: $35 a day.

Prices are subject to change; check their website for updates.