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nilesrob · 01-31-2011, 09:18 PM

We are thinking about a week-long trip mid-May to Charleston, SC, Savannah and Brunswick, GA - possibly try to include the Okefenokee Swamp (trying not to do too much).

Generally we prefer state and national parks, although completely open to private campgrounds.

Any recommendations for a) campgrounds, and b) restaurants? Thanks!

DreamStreamr · 01-31-2011, 11:52 PM

Might be a bit below where you are thinking, but our favorite is Crooked River State Park near St Mary, GA. Excellent quiet park, nice water edge, great town to visit and can get ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore from St Marys.

Skamper1 · 02-01-2011, 05:56 AM

Greetings. Have used Skidaway State Park here in Savannah. The sites are large and campground has a lot of nature trails. The park is fifteen minutes from downtown. The other park I have used is on Tybee Island called River's End. Small sites, but a walk across the dune to the beach. It is forty minutes from downtown.
Fort Clinch is another great campground on Amelia Island, FL and near to Cumberland Island ferry. Also has great nature/bike trails. It is the first exit off of I-95 once you cross the GA/FL line. Jack

teufel · 02-01-2011, 06:09 AM

All good places. If you want something a bit more central to savannah, hilton head, and beaufort. There's thomasville/hardeeville RV park in levy, SC. Closer to Charleston you have a few sites in ace basin as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skamper1

Greetings. Have used Skidaway State Park here in Savannah. The sites are large and campground has a lot of nature trails. The park is fifteen minutes from downtown. The other park I have used is on Tybee Island called River's End. Small sites, but a walk across the dune to the beach. It is forty minutes from downtown.
Fort Clinch is another great campground on Amelia Island, FL and near to Cumberland Island ferry. Also has great nature/bike trails. It is the first exit off of I-95 once you cross the GA/FL line. Jack

Lily&Me · 02-01-2011, 06:17 AM

You've made a good choice. This is one of our very most favorite areas in the country.

We love, love, love Edisto Beach State Park, just south of Charleston. There are some beachside sites, but all sites on the beachside campground are just a quick walk to the beach. Lots of good shelling and dolphins. The drive down to the park is almost worth the trip, and Edisto town has a nice grocery, gas station, liquor store and a couple of good restaurants.

The Gullah history museum in Bufort, SC, is very interesting, The Penn Center - A link to the past and a bridge to the future located on St. Helena Island, South Carolina., and explains the origins of the culture. Cumberland Island is a good day trip. All of the coastal towns are worth a drive through, lots of old homes and live oaks.

There is a very nice private campground just outside of Crooked River State Park in St. Mary's, GA, that we like, A Big Wheel RV Park Homepage, for about the same price as the park. The campground owners are wonderful, it is an older campground with mature trees, plantings and full facilities. They do Sunday night potlucks and are just really nice, hospitable and friendly folks.

We can't get enough of this area. You may find it difficult to do much more than a look-see in a week, but could do a drive down and decide where to go back to. I would bet you will go back.

Have a great time,

Maggie

nilesrob · 02-01-2011, 04:23 PM

Thank you all - some great recommendations!!

I saw a clip on PBS Georgia Travler, about Chef Joe Randall's restaurant in or near Savannah. Has anyone tried it? Looked awesome!

DanielB · 02-01-2011, 05:11 PM

There is a pretty nice forest service park on hwy 17 just north of Charleston on the Intracostal Waterway at Bulls Bay. The name of it is Buck Hall
Buck Hall Recreation Area
It is the beginning point for the Palmetto Trail.
It's about halfway between McClellanville and Awendaw. Kinda out there but there is a really nice store Sewee Outpost maybe 15 miles down the road for supplies.
Sewee Outpost | Your Low "Country" Store

teufel · 02-01-2011, 05:44 PM

Pretty good southern food. Then again there's lots of it around these parts. What price point for a meal for two? There are many good places in the area. My two favorites are chef Nick out at the laughing boar in guyton and Michael anthonies on Hilton head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nilesrob

Thank you all - some great recommendations!!

I saw a clip on PBS Georgia Travler, about Chef Joe Randall's restaurant in or near Savannah. Has anyone tried it? Looked awesome!

RamblinManGa · 02-01-2011, 05:52 PM

Hi from Ga. . .We like Okeefenokee in March, BEFORE them big skeeters

show up. Kayaking the swamp is very cool. Fernandina Beach is a neat old town with fun shops and restaurants galore. The boat tour of Cumberland Sound is fun. Also try Southern Soul Barbeque on St Simons. And have fun ,Regards, Craig

Lothlorian · 02-01-2011, 06:21 PM

Okeefenokee is a great place. I have been going down to the swamp at the end of March or Middle of April for years. This year I can't because of work, but I think everybody needs to check out the swamp. Several years ago they did not have the lights in the campgrounds. It was so dark outside and the air was so clean you could see every star in the sky. The camp lights have kind of cut down on that show.

Brian

Safari Streamer · 02-01-2011, 06:27 PM

Edisto state park is great and if you are heading toward Myrtle Beach we love Huntington Beach state park - right on the coast. Make
sure to reserve as both parks are very popular.

Bird's Nest · 02-01-2011, 08:00 PM

Jekyll Island is a nice place to visit. The campground is mediocre but the sights are nice. We biked everywhere and didn't even unhook the truck. There are beaches but we did not spend time on them. Not our thing. We took a historic home tour and biked every road and trail we could locate. We wanted to do a kayak tour but we ran out of time.
We love trips that involve architecture, bikes and prefer mountains over beeches. So you may want to factor that in when considering my recommendation of Jekyll Island.

Skidaway Island is nice. We biked to Wormesloe.
Crooked River is nice. We biked around the Submarine base.

James Island campground in Charleston is nice. You have to drive to the Folly Beach. They have an awesome dog park! A water park too.

Jekyll Island --- Campground

Skamper1 · 02-02-2011, 07:15 AM

In Savannah: Chef Joe Randall has a website chefjoerandall.com. There is a calendar of events and you can make reservations. I have not eaten there or heard of anyone's experience there. Do NOT eat at Uncle Bubba's. Lady and Sons is OK, but at $22 for the buffet one could do better at Golden Coral. Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room/Boarding House is a far better experience and a lot of fun. The President bypassed Paula's for there. Heard Paula was not happy about it.

kposey · 02-02-2011, 08:59 AM

There are several good places to eat at Tybee Island near Savannah. The Crab Shack, AJ's and the Breakfast Club for starters. I have eaten at Uncle Bubba's and thought it was good. I have not eaten at Paula's. Just didn't want to wait.

I don't care for the campground on Tybee. Although it is close to the beach and Tybee is a laid back community. Haven't tried Skid-a-way yet, but maybe soon.

Happy travels!

Kristi Foster · 02-02-2011, 09:02 AM

We have stayed at the James Island County Park Campground several times. It has full hookups, bike rentals for bike trails, a rock climbing wall, a wonderful dog park, clean bathrooms, laundry facilities, a general store, and a shuttle bus to downtown and Folly Beach. Groceries and fast food restaraunts can be found on James Island. Downtown Charleston is about 15 minutes away. The dog park is a very entertaining place, even if you don't have a dog of your own.

Bill M. · 02-02-2011, 09:05 AM

The Laura Walker st park near the Okeefanokee swamp is a wonderful campground. Nice sites under large pines, lake, first class golf course nearby. Fairly close to a swamp entrance.

Jekyl Island was a fun place to visit, especially if you play golf. But I liked the Laura Walker campground better than I liked the Jekyl Island campground.

Lily&Me · 02-02-2011, 11:15 AM

We have done the lunch buffet at Paula Deen's a couple of times, and it was excellent. About $13, I think, and included fried chicken, a couple of other entrees and a number of side dishes, also dessert. Basically your dinner meal at lunch, which we like to do for a number of reasons.

Maggie

nilesrob · 02-02-2011, 06:00 PM

Geez Louise, I thought I was doing pretty well by limiting our travel scope. Looks like we need more time to really enjoy this area! This is a great problem! Thanks again for some great suggestions.

LisaP · 02-02-2011, 06:54 PM

Wait. Wait. There is required reading before you visit Savannah. "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". You will want to visit all the sights in the book. I agree with the previous post about Paula Dean's. Skip it and have lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. There will be an hour wait in line to get in but it is worth the wait. No one seems to mind. It is an experience.The trolley ride around town is very informative and you can note spots to visit along the way.Have a great trip. Those cities you will want to return to.

nilesrob · 02-02-2011, 07:10 PM

Great idea. I've read "Midnight in the Garden..." - one of my favorite books actually, but it has been a while - definitely worth a re-read before the trip.