You might not think that taking an RV to the islands of Coastal Georgia for sightseeing is possible, but it is! Four of the gorgeous barrier islands are accessible by motor vehicle. The other 11 are accessible by water, so don’t cross them off the vacation bucket list just yet. You can still make the most out of an exciting adventure down the coast.
Continue reading to learn how to get the most out of your vacation while RVing in Coastal Georgia!
1. Check Out Jekyll, St. Simon’s, and Sea Islands
The closest barrier islands that are accessible by car are Jekyll Island and St. Simon’s Island. Spend your days exploring the beaches and everything else that the islands have to offer. You can get close enough to hear the ocean from your RV while staying on any of these islands’ respective RV campgrounds.
2. Up for a Day Trip?
Take your RV up north to Tybee Island where you can check out the Tybee Island Lighthouse Museum. If that isn’t quite your style, you can take the Beach Ecologist Tour to learn more about local marine life.
3. Enjoy the Historical Sights
Don’t forget to check out the local historic Georgia sights along the coast during your stay. The entire area is rich with history including national parks and war monuments.
Fort Fredrica National Monument, a U.S. National Park Service, on St. Simons Island is the preservation site of the fort built by James Oglethorpe to defend the British Colony of Georgia from Spanish raids. You will also find the World War II Homefront Museum on St. Simons Island.
A Civil War landmark, the Fort Pulaski National Monument, is on an island north of Tybee Island.
4. Stay at Mcintosh Manor
Just 45 minutes away from the coast, tucked into Townsend, GA, is the McIntosh Manor RV Park & Campground. You can rent a spot for your RV and get some rest or you can stay at the McIntosh Manor Bed & Breakfast when you just need a night in a comfy bed indoors.
Spend the day in nature via the many attractions in and around Townsend. Kayak along the winding Sapelo River. Travel south to Cannon’s Point Preserve on St. Simons Island to hike or picnic, then spend the afternoon traversing plantation ruins.
5. Take a Trip Out to Sapelo Island
Though inaccessible for the RV, you can always take a day trip out to one of the islands that are otherwise unmarked by mankind. The island houses The Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve known for its unique ecosystem.
No trip to Coastal Georgia is complete without a day of boating and scuba diving in the ocean. Sapelo Island also has a live-bottom reef just waiting to be explored: Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.
RVing in Coastal Georgia
If you own an RV (or you’re thinking about buying one) and you are planning to travel the East Coast, Coastal Georgia is one place that has to go on your bucket list. This area covers everything you might be seeking: lounging on beaches, checking out historical sights, and reconnecting with nature.
Feel free to contact us today with any questions you might have about things to see in Georgia or about RVing in Coastal Georgia.
There’s no better place to experience the rich history of Georgia than St. Simons Island.
Surrounded by moss-covered oaks and quaint island streets, it’s a beautiful island destination with a fascinating historical background. Whether you’re a lone traveler or a family of history buffs, we promise you’ll enjoy these captivating and informative museums just a short drive from McIntosh Manor.
World War II Home Front Museum
Georgia has a rich history, and it’s on full display in the World war II Home Front Museum. The museum features plenty of hands-on, interactive exhibitions that visitors of all ages will enjoy. It showcases a variety of rotating displays that cover much of Georgia’s historical contributions beyond just World War II, and it remains a must-see attraction for all visitors to the area.
St. Simons Lighthouse Museum
To this day, the St. Simons lighthouse guides maritime traffic through the St. Simons Sound. Housed in the room of the original keeper, the museum features historical artifacts and interactive displays. Visitors can also ascend the stairs to the top of the lighthouse and tour a replica of the lighthouse keeper’s quarters on the second floor, where they can imagine how they would have lived in the early 1900s.
Cannon’s Point Preserve
Visitors who love the outdoors can explore 600 acres of preserved land on the north end of St. Simons Island. The area, which contains part of the lower Altamaha River delta, is considered one of the most biologically diverse areas in the southeastern United States! You can also find 19th-century plantation ruins and other centuries-old artifacts scattered throughout the greenspace.
Fort Frederica National Monument
Georgia was once called “debatable land” to reflect the territorial struggle between the British in South Carolina and the Spanish in Florida. James Oglethorpe founded Fort Frederica in 1736 to enforce and protect the southern limit of his new Georgia colony. Today, visitors can tour the archaeological remains of the fort in a beautiful National Park.
And don’t forget to enjoy a historical walking tour or two during your visit! You’ll be able to catch all the most popular sights and learn about Georgia’s past before returning to relax at McIntosh Manor.
