The area around Savannah, Georgia is where the 588-acre scenic Skidaway Island State Park and 1,725-acre Fort McAllister Historic Park are situated. Skidaway Park is located on the Skidaway intercoastal waterway 25 miles from the Tybee Island beaches, while Fort McAllister borders the Ogeechee River. Visitors to either Savannah area park will find the beauty and splendor historic Georgia as well as a nature lover's paradise, with activities that include hiking, biking and ranger programs.
State Park Camping
If you are outdoors enthusiast, both Skidaway Island and Fort McAllister state parks offer overnight or extended day accommodations on the area's grounds. With 87 tent sites, and additional trailer/RV sites, Skidaway's wonders are enjoyable for visitors who stay on site. Groups of 10 or more can reserve one of the three primitive pioneer campgrounds for a special outdoors experience. Fort McAllister's amenities include 65 tent and RV sites, three cottages and a rustic group pioneer campground. Reservations can be made online via the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites website (see the link in Resources).
Geocaching
Technology and nature lovers alike will enjoy an exciting geocaching adventure at either Skidaway or Fort McAllister. Geocaching is a park-wide scavenger hunt created by the state of Georgia that involves online gaming and outdoors recreational activities. Start by downloading the state park Geo-Challenge Passport, then enter the search coordinates into your GPS. Go to one of the 42 participating Georgia state parks, and begin your search. Find cache containers, sealed and labeled ammo boxes, and log your name onto the boxes book. Turn in your challenge passport at the park's visitors center for a special "geo-coin."
Hiking and Biking
Fort McAllister Park offers 4.3 miles of trails, while Skidaway Island State Park has two separate hiking trails along with opportunities to bike. The trails include the one-mile Sandpiper Nature Trail and the three-mile Big Ferry Trail. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Skidaway trails are some of the best in the state park system for families with children to hike.
Birding
Wildlife admirers can look to the skies on the Georgia Colonial Coast Birding Trail. Savannah area state park visitors will find this section of the trail packed with feathered friends of all shapes, colors and sizes. More than 300 bird species have been located along the trail, depending on site and season.
Group Park Programs
The Georgia state parks offer a number of different nature-based educational programs for school, religious, scouting and other groups at Skidaway Island. Learn about the environment with titles such as Snakes Alive!, Wilderness Wise and more, or enjoy a guided nature walk down one of the park's two trails. A "Sensory Awareness Night Hike" is also available for groups who are interested in discovering late night wildlife. If you are looking for a more rustic program, Outdoor Adventures offers classes in wilderness survival.
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