Are there alligators at Skidaway Island State Park?

Yes, alligators are native to the park's freshwater areas. They're generally shy and avoid humans, but keep your distance if you spot one. Stay on marked trails, keep children close, and don't feed wildlife. Alligator sightings are uncommon but possible.

Are the trails at Skidaway stroller-friendly?

The Sandpiper Trail is stroller-friendly — it's flat with boardwalk sections and a well-maintained dirt surface. The Big Ferry Trail is mostly manageable with a sturdy stroller, though some sections may be slightly uneven. Both trails are better suited for jogging strollers than umbrella strollers.

How much does Skidaway Island State Park cost?

Just $5 per vehicle for parking, which includes access to all trails and facilities. Camping is $30-$50 per night depending on the site type. A Georgia State Parks annual pass ($50) covers parking at Skidaway and all other state parks year-round.

Is Skidaway Island State Park worth visiting with kids?

Absolutely, especially for nature-loving families. The trails are manageable for young kids, the fiddler crab marshes are fascinating, and the wildlife viewing is excellent. It provides a wonderful contrast to Savannah's urban attractions and shows kids the natural side of the coastal Georgia ecosystem.

Skidaway Island State Park

Name: Skidaway Island State Park
Address: 52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA, 31411, US
Telephone: (912) 598-2300
Rating: 4.6

Rating

4.6(3,800)

Family of 4

$5-$10.

Duration

2-4 hours (longer for campers)

Best Ages

All ages

About

Skidaway Island State Park is a 588-acre coastal Georgia gem located about 25 minutes southeast of Savannah's Historic District. For families wanting to experience the Lowcountry's natural beauty beyond the city's squares and restaurants, this park delivers an authentic encounter with maritime forest, salt marsh, and tidal creek ecosystems.

The park's trail system is its centerpiece. The Sandpiper Trail (1 mile, flat, interpretive signs) is perfect for families with young children, winding through live oak forest with boardwalk sections crossing tidal marshes. At low tide, the marsh mudflats near the trail explode with fiddler crabs — kids are mesmerized watching thousands of tiny crabs emerge from burrows, wave their oversized claws, and scuttle across the mud.

The Big Ferry Trail (3 miles round trip) offers a more immersive experience for active families, leading through deeper forest and along the marsh edge before reaching an observation tower with panoramic views of the Skidaway Narrows waterway. The trail is shaded by canopy for most of its length, making it manageable even on warm days. Both trails are well-maintained and clearly marked.

Wildlife is abundant and visible. White-tailed deer are common in the forest clearings, and the birdwatching is exceptional — painted buntings (in spring and summer), wood storks, osprey, herons, and egrets are regular sightings. Alligators inhabit the park's freshwater areas and are occasionally seen, though they're typically shy.

The park office has a small interpretive center with mounted specimens and ecosystem information.

The campground at Skidaway is one of the best-reviewed family campgrounds in the Georgia state park system. It offers 87 sites with water and electric hookups, modern bathhouses, a playground, and a camp store. Sites are shaded by live oaks and separated by natural vegetation for privacy.

For families who enjoy camping, spending a night or two at Skidaway provides an immersive nature experience that perfectly complements days spent exploring Savannah's urban attractions.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Morning for wildlife sightings and cooler temps; fall and spring for ideal weather

Wait Times

No wait — drive in and park

Nearby Food

No food in the park. Nearest restaurants are on Diamond Causeway heading back toward Savannah. The Wyld Dock Bar (10-min drive) is a great post-hike waterfront option.

Why Kids Love It

Skidaway Island State Park is Savannah's best-kept secret for nature-loving families. The park sits at the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway, where maritime forest meets tidal salt marsh, creating a habitat bursting with wildlife. Kids are thrilled to spot fiddler crabs swarming the mudflats by the thousands, great blue herons stalking the marsh, deer browsing in the forest clearings, and — occasionally — alligators sunning on the banks.

The Sandpiper Trail (1 mile) and Big Ferry Trail (3 miles) are well-maintained, shaded paths through the maritime forest, with boardwalk sections that cross over marsh areas. The boardwalks give kids the feeling of walking over the marsh without getting muddy, and the interpretive signs along the way teach them about the coastal ecosystem. The observation tower on Big Ferry Trail provides panoramic marsh views that help kids understand the vast scale of the salt marsh habitat.

For families who camp, Skidaway offers some of the best family camping in coastal Georgia. The campground has paved sites, modern bathhouses, and a playground. Falling asleep to the sounds of owls, frogs, and distant boat horns creates memories that last a lifetime.

Pro Tips from Parents

Walk the Sandpiper Trail at low tide for the best fiddler crab viewing — thousands emerge from their burrows.
Bug spray is absolutely essential — the marsh habitat means aggressive mosquitoes, especially at dawn and dusk.
The Big Ferry Trail observation tower offers the best views — worth the walk for families with stamina.
Bring binoculars for birding — the park is home to painted buntings, wood storks, and osprey.
Camping reservations fill weeks in advance during spring and fall — book early.

What to Bring

bug spray (mandatory)
binoculars
water bottles
comfortable hiking shoes
sunscreen
camera

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$5-$10.

Parking pass: $5/vehicle.

That's it — trails and facilities are included.

Camping is $30-$50/night for those who want to stay.

Tips to Save

Georgia State Parks annual pass ($50/vehicle) covers parking at all state parks year-round.
Pack lunch and water — there are no food vendors.
The trails and birding tower are the main attractions, and both are included with parking.