Skidaway Island State Park

Skidaway Island is a 588-acre state park in Chatham County near Savannah. This park is located on the its namesake barrier island and borders Skidaway Narrows, part of Georgia’s intracoastal waterway. The park features more than 6 miles of trails for hiking and biking through the maritime forest and across salt marshes along Skidaway Narrows. Additionally, there are picnic areas, an interpretive center, group and individual campsites and pioneer cabins.

Contact Information:

52 Diamond Causeway
Savannah, GA 31411

Phone: (912) 598-2300
GPS: 31.94931, -81.05371

Directions:

From Savannah, take the Truman Parkway south for about 8.5 miles and take the exit for GA-204 Spur. Turn left on GA-204 Spur east and drive 4 miles to Skidaway Island State Park entrance on the left.

Map:

Trails:

There are about 6 miles of hiking trails in the park.

Avian Loop Trail:

Avian Loop Trail is a 1 mile loop that splits off from Sandpiper Trail Loop.  The trail loops out to Skidaway Narrows with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Diamond Causeway.  Connector Trail splits off and leads to Big Ferry Trail.

Big Ferry Trail:

Big Ferry Trail makes a 2-mile loop that can be extended to 3 miles by including the Earthworks Loop.  Freshwater and saltwater sloughs are found off the trail and a boardwalk leads to the Observation Tower.

Connector Trail:

Connector Trail leads 1 mile from Avian Loop Trail to Big Ferry Trail, passing the pioneer campsites.

Earthworks Loop:

Earthworks Loop splits from the far end of Big Ferry Loop, extending it to three miles.  The earthworks, liquor still and shell middens are found along this double loop.

Sandpiper Trail Loop:

Sandpiper Trail Loop starts from near the picnic area and makes a 1-mile loop around the salt flats and tidal creeks.  Avian Loop Trail splits off about half-way through the loop.

Points of Interest:

Earthworks:

The earthworks were constructed by the Confederates as large system of coastal fortifications along Georgia.  They can be found at the far end of the Earthworks Loop.

Liquor Still:

Remote Skidaway Island was a good spot for moonshiners during Prohibition.  The remains of one liquor still can be found along Earthworks Loop.

Observation Tower:

A wooden observation tower is located along Big Ferry Trail and provides excellent views of the salt flats and Skidaway Narrows.

Blog Entries:

31-Dec-2019: Skidaway Island

External Links:

Georgia State Parks website: https://gastateparks.org/SkidawayIsland/