Skidaway Island State Park
Skidaway Island State Park is a beautiful natural area only a short drive from downtown Savannah. Its 588 acres of maritime forest and wetlands offer a peaceful and scenic respite from the city, with hiking trails through shaded woods, a board walk out over the salt marsh, and abundant birdlife and other animals to see.
Skidaway Island, of which the State Park forms the western portion, is one of the larger of the Savannah area’s inland islands. It is bordered by Wassaw Island – and the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge – to the east, the Skidaway River to the west, and the Wilmington and Vernon Rivers to the north and south.
Nearby are the Gullah-Geechee Pin Point Heritage Museum, and the charming riverfront town of Isle of Hope. If you want to explore the nearby creeks and marshes, you can also take a guided or unguided tour of the area by kayak.
See also:
– Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
– Savannah’s must-see sights
– More things to do in Savannah
– 5Ks, marathons and other races in Savannah
– Bonaventure Cemetery
Things To Do At Skidaway Island State Park
Hiking & Nature Trails
Skidaway Island State Park has six miles of nature trails for hiking and biking. See trail map It is also a site on Georgia’s Coastal Birding Trail: osprey, bald eagles, painted buntings and woodpeckers are several of the many species that can be spotted in the park.
The 1-mile Sandpiper trail offers views over the salt marsh, with a boardwalk allowing closer access to the wetlands and their wildlife. Fiddler crabs and large wading birds such as herons and egrets can be seen in abundance.
The longer Big Ferry trail, at 3 miles, winds through the pine and oak forest of Skidaway Island. Leading past the location of the former ferry service that carried passengers from Savannah to Skidaway and back before the construction of the bridge, it passes through freshwater and forest landscapes before returning to the salt marsh. An observation tower allows a wider view over the surroundings and an ideal spot from which to view birds and other wildlife.
Two additional trails, the Avian Way Loop and Connector Trail, are each a mile long.
Historic Sites
Skidaway Island State Park’s longer Big Ferry trail visits several points of historic interest, including liquor stills left over from the Prohibition era (Skidaway was much used for the manufacture of illicit liquor, with dozens of sites discovered throughout the park); shell middens created by the island’s former American Indian inhabitants; and an old Civil War earthwork fort and battery.
Visitor Center
Skidaway Island State Park boasts a new visitor center and gift shop, opened in May 2021. The main attraction is a 20-foot tall replica of a prehistoric giant sloth skeleton. Uncovered on Skidaway Island in 1822, it was the first such skeleton to be found in the United States.
There are also nature exhibits, including live animal displays of local species of turtle and snake; a screened porch for birdwatching; and views of the surrounding natural environment through the new visitor center’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
Special Events
Skidaway Island State Park hosts occasional special events, most of which have an emphasis on children’s activities. A small charge applies for some events, in addition to the regular parking fee. See upcoming events
Visitor Information
The following is correct at the time of writing. Please verify details before planning your trip. For additional information call 912-598-2300 or visit the official website.
Hours
Skidaway Island State Park is open daily, 7am-10pm. Office hours are 8am-5pm.
Admission
Admission to the park is free, but there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee.
Location
52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411
Skidaway Island State Park is located on the western side of Skidaway Island, 15 miles southeast of downtown Savannah. See map
Driving is currently the easiest way to get to Skidaway. The drive from downtown Savannah will take around 25-30 minutes or so depending on traffic. The park is 25 miles (about 45 minutes) from Tybee Island.
Camping Facilities
Camping facilities at Skidaway Island include tent and RV sites, pioneer campgrounds and cabins (no pets in cabins). Camping fees are from $40 per night for camp sites and $140 for cabins. Call 800-864-7275 for reservations.
More Outdoors Activities Near Savannah
– Kayaking in Tybee Island
– Closest beaches to Savannah
– Ebenezer Creek blackwater swamp tours
– Wassaw Island
– Little Tybee Island
See also:
– Savannah events
– American Prohibition Museum
– Seafood festivals near Savannah
– Food festivals near Savannah in spring and summer or fall
– Things to do in Tybee Island