The first settlers in this area arrived in 1733 aboard General James Oglethorpe's ship, Anne. Savannah was the first city in the state and was built on a rocky cliff. During Savannah's early years as a city, slavery was outlawed. However, following the American Revolutionary war, when the British occupied the city for four years, slavery was no longer prohibited. Those who visit Savannah and are interested in learning more about slavery and human rights can visit the only structure open to the public, the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters.
Savannah has a rich history, much of it connected to the Civil War. When you're in town, you can tour the Green-Meldrim House, which was used as General William Sherman's headquarters. Eventually, the house was given as a Christmas present to President Lincoln.
What many visitors to Savannah are surprised to learn about the city is that it has a food scene with a world-class reputation. When you're in town, you must stop by the Crystal Beer Parlor for a hamburger or pub food. This restaurant has been around since the early 1900s and continues to be a popular choice for the city's 145,000 residents. If seafood from some of the city's oldest restaurants in its oldest buildings is what you crave, then stop by The Pirates' House. For those open to sharing a table, head to Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room for a communal dining experience. The restaurant has been serving hungry patrons and connecting people since 1943.
You'll find the Point South / I-95 / Yemassee KOA Holiday in South Carolina's Lowcountry region, 45 minutes northeast of Savannah. The RV sites include up to 50-amp electricity and full hookups. Additionally, you can enjoy many amenities, such as a pool, a playground, ample laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi. If you're planning to spend time in Savannah, Georgia, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, this campground is the perfect midpoint.
Another exceptional RV park option is the Tuck in the Wood Campground in St. Helena Island, SC. Located about an hour and 10 minutes northeast of Savannah, this campground has 80 RV sites, including Wi-Fi, full hookups, and 30-/50-amp service. Visitors enjoy this campground's serenity, freshwater pond, shell fishing and sport fishing opportunities. The campground is also just a short drive to Beaufort, SC.
If your itinerary includes a Hilton Head stop, consider staying on the island at one of its campgrounds, such as the New Green Acres RV Park. The campground is located off I-95 at Exit 53, an hour and five minutes northeast of Savannah, and has 106 pull-through RV sites with full hookups. There's also a pool, children's play area and dog playground. The campground also has a dump station, and propane gas is available.
You'll find Skidaway Island State Park near the Intracoastal Waterway, just 25 minutes southeast of Savannah. Visitors enjoy this state park because of its six miles of trails, including the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. If you're a bird-watcher, you'll be excited to know that many exotic birds call this state park home. Bring your binoculars, and head out for a leisurely walk along the park's trail system that winds through coastal marshes and under overhanging trees. Make sure to bring your camera because you'll want to take many pictures along the way.
You'll find Fort McAllister State Park on the Ogeechee River's shores. The park is about 40 minutes southwest of Savannah and was the site of seven attacks during the Civil War. The park has a Civil War Museum with artifacts from the Civil War era and a film. The state park is also a favorite stopping place for visitors who enjoy boating on the river and those who want to explore the park's 4.3 miles of trails.
An hour and 15 minutes northeast of Savannah is Hunting Island State Park. It's one of the most-visited parks in South Carolina and includes the 130-foot Hunting Island Lighthouse. Visitors enjoy this park because the lighthouse is the only one open to the public in the entire state. But that's not all that makes this state park special. The park sits on 5,000 acres of Lowcountry and maritime forests. There are miles of beachfront for visitors to relax on, and there's even a saltwater lagoon open to the public for swimming.
Fort Pulaski National Monument is located between Savannah and Tybee Island. Construction of the fort began in 1827 with its completion happening around 1843. Fort Pulaski was deemed ineffective during the Civil War as it was attacked by rifle artillery. The fort is on a 5,623-acre island with 4,500 acres designated as Eligible Wilderness. This means that the 400,000 people who visit the monument every year can't visit these areas of the island. The national monument site has strict rules about staying on designated hiking trails. You'll be fined if you leave the trail and venture into the Eligible Wilderness.
The Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort, SC, an hour northeast of Savannah, educates visitors on the challenges the area faced integrating formerly enslaved people following the Civil War. In Beaufort, emancipated individuals were first allowed to buy property and vote. When you visit this historical park, you'll learn more about the Reconstruction era and the challenges faced by formerly enslaved individuals. While you're at the park, be sure to visit the Old Beaufort Firehouse that is now the visitor's center; Darrah Hall at Penn Center, the first school to accept formerly enslaved people; the Brick Baptist Church, the site of desegregated worship; and Camp Saxton, the place where the Emancipation Proclamation was read in South Carolina.
Fort Frederica National Monument is located on St. Simon's Island, an island that's part of the Golden Isle's island chain two hours and 25 minutes southwest of Savannah. The fort was constructed to protect the community from Spanish soldiers' attacks. Today, the remains of the fort are mostly underground. However, you can visit what remains of the fort by signing up for a ranger-led tour. Around the monument, there are also plenty of hiking trails to enjoy, including the Cannon's Point Preserve Trail, a five-mile trail that includes the ruins of a tabby potato barn, a hospital and other historic sites.
Francis Marion National Forest was established in 1936 and was named for Francis Marion, an American Revolutionary War hero. The forest is north of Charleston, SC, two hours and 25 minutes northeast of Savannah. In 1989, most of the forest was heavily damaged by Hurricane Hugo. Today, the forest is thriving, and visitors flock to the wilderness to hike, ride horses and mountain bike. Some of the most popular trails in the forest include the Awendaw Passage Trail; I'on Swamp Interpretive Trail; and if you're up for a multiday adventure, the 45.9-mile Palmetto Trail Swamp Fox Passage.
In South Carolina, three hours and 15 minutes northwest of Savannah, Sumter National Forest consists of 371,000 acres with three non-contiguous ranger districts in the Andrew Pickens, Enoree and Long Cane regions. Each of the three areas has unique characteristics, so you want to plan to visit each of them. If you're into mountain biking, you must visit the Forks Area Trail system in the Long Cane region. Check out the Andrew Pickens district to glimpse majestic mountain peaks overlooking the forest and the Chattooga River.
Osceola National Forest is located near Sanderson, FL, four hours and 40 minutes southwest of Savannah, and is Florida's smallest national forest. It's the site of the state's largest Civil War battle, but today, it's a peaceful retreat for visitors who want to ride horses, swim, water-ski, fish, stargaze or participate in geocaching adventures. The forest is also the site of two popular trail systems, the 1,500 Florida National Scenic Trail and the Great Bird Trail. The forest is open year-round, and there's no entry fee.
There are many fun things to do in Savannah and the surrounding area. Wormsloe Historic Site is a gorgeous hiking destination where people can walk under ancient live oak trees drooping with Spanish moss. This site is about 10 miles south of Savannah This facility also has a tabby house, a museum and other areas to help visitors understand more about life in Georgia around 1750.
Another scenic place to go hiking is Whitemarsh Island Preserve on the city's southeast side. It's not unusual for people to see deer, raccoons and armadillos when hiking at this county park.
J.F. Gregory Park is another terrific place to go hiking. This park in Richmond Hill is about 18 miles southwest of Savannah. The main trail at this park has a beautiful wooden bridge. While hiking in this city park, people often see otters, barred owls and beavers.
There are fantastic museums to explore in Savannah. Many are in the Historic District in downtown Savannah, south of the Savannah River. Learn more about the roaring 1920s by visiting the American Prohibition Museum. This museum is set up to resemble a speakeasy.
Visitors will also want to explore the Webb Military Museum, about a five-minute walk to the southeast. See military uniforms from many wars, and learn about the soldiers who wore them. This museum has an army uniform belonging to Bob Hope.
Then head across the street to explore the Davenport House Museum. Through period furniture and lively stories from tour guides, guests can learn about the history of Savannah in the early 19th century at this home. It's an ideal place to learn about the life of urban indentured servants.
The Children's Museum of Savannah is about 0.8 miles to the southwest. This is an excellent stop if you have children on your trip. It's all outdoors, so kids have room to roam. The museum has an exploration maze, reading nook, sensory garden and nature kitchen. Staff often lead STEM activities.
Next door is the Georgia State Railroad Museum. It features several exhibits, including a working handcar and a train tour pulled by a steam or diesel locomotive.
Across the street is the place where the second-bloodiest war during the American Revolution occurred. Visitors can see many exhibits from the city's history inside the Savannah History Museum. They can also learn more about the battle.
While exploring Savannah's Historic District, visitors are likely to get hungry. The Olde Pink House serves Southern comfort food within the same block as the American Prohibition Museum. This restaurant is in an 18th-century mansion.
Another delicious establishment is Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, which is only open for lunch. Guests anxiously wait for the doors to open at 11 a.m. Then they are seated at tables of 10, where they share Southern food, like beef stew and fried chicken, with others at their table. This restaurant is less than a mile southwest of the Georgia State Railroad Museum.
Visitors looking for a grab-and-go restaurant in this district will want to head to Roly Poly Sandwiches on the north side of the historic district. Guests can choose hot or cold fixings placed inside a tortilla. There are many choices, but turkey, chicken and ham, along with many vegetables, are especially popular. Seasonally, hot soup is also available.
There are no national parks in Georgia, but Congaree National Park is about 150 miles north of Savannah in South Carolina. Many visitors start exploring this park by following the boardwalk trail, where they can see some of the tall trees that grow there. Paddling through a primeval old-growth forest on Cedar Creek is a favorite pastime of many. The creek is also a popular place to go fishing.
Skidaway Island State Park is on Savannah's east side, across the Intracoastal Waterway from most Savannah locations. This park has six miles of trails that meander under tall pine and live oak trees and around marshlands. This park has six picnic shelters. There are also two playgrounds. It's on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. Bikes can be rented from the park's office.
Fort McAllister State Park is about 30 miles south of Savannah. The park features some of the best-preserved earthworks from the Civil War. It also has a small museum. Visitors can go fishing in the Ogeechee River. Anglers can fish from the fishing pier or use the park's boat launch.
Hunting Island State Park is about 60 miles northeast of Savannah. Visitors can see the Hunting Island Lighthouse, which was built in 1875 after the Civil War delayed construction. This park's beach is a terrific place to look for shells and shark teeth. Visitors can see alligators and other animals at the nature center. This park has several hiking trails and a boardwalk.
Fort Pulaski National Monument is about 11 miles southeast of Savannah. This fort on Cockspur Island was the first place that the Union Army fired a rifled cannon during the Civil War. The Union also used this site as a prisoner-of-war camp. This park contains numerous hiking trails. Visitors can also bike and fish at this monument.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is about 40 miles northeast of Savannah. At this park, visitors can learn about the questions, challenges and opportunities that arose from integrating formerly enslaved people into society. Park rangers regularly lead tours of this site. On-street metered parking is available.
Fort Frederica National Monument is about 90 miles south of Savannah. Guests can go on a guided tour of Broad Street to learn how this site was integral in protecting Georgia from many attackers. This monument is popular with hikers, who love to wander through its maritime forest. It is also a favorite spot with many bikers.
Campers will want to consider staying at Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort. It features a swimming pool, a meeting room, a gym, laundry facilities, tennis courts, a bathhouse and a dog park. Join the staff for yoga classes. Guests who do not want to prepare meals can eat at the grill.
Point South / I95 / Yemassee KOA Holiday is about 50 miles north of Savannah. It offers wine flights at its coffee bar. Guests can also enjoy free pizza. This campground also has a snack bar, dog park, swimming pool and playground.
Another fabulous choice is Thousand Trails Oaks at Point South, which is about 51 miles north of Savannah. This campground has beautiful nature trails to follow. It also has a swimming pool, library, miniature golf course, horseshoe and laundry facilities.
One of the many RV dump stations near Savannah is at Love's Truck Stop in Richmond Hills, about 18 miles from Savannah. It is near the parking lot for 18-wheelers. It also has fuel pumps that even the largest RVs can easily reach.
There is a dump station at Camping World in Pooler. This location is about 14 miles northwest of Savannah. The dump station is available during regular business hours.
If you are considering exploring Savannah, GA, staying in an RV is a terrific way to explore your surroundings. You get the choice of camping in scenic settings or luxury RV parks. Regardless of your choice, you are likely to find endless recreation opportunities.
You can easily explore all the Savannah area offers when you rent an RV. Consider heading to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge to see wildlife along the Savannah River. Something is always blooming at the Savannah Botanical Gardens. Oatland Island Wildlife Center is a beautiful place to see over 150 animals. Terrific state parks nearby include Skidaway Island State Park, Fort McAllister State Park and Crooked River State Park. You could also choose to take preplanned road trips from Savannah to Killington, VT; Corpus Christi, TX; and Charleston, SC.
While renting an RV is an easy decision, choosing the type that meets your needs the best can be challenging. A Class A motorhome is the perfect fit if you love space and amenities. If you live a minimalistic lifestyle when traveling, think about a Class B motorhome. Class C motorhomes are usually smaller than Class A motorhomes and are the perfect fit for many families.
On average, the price to rent a motorhome is $120-200 per day, $360-600 for three nights, and about $800-1,400 for a week. Some owners will give you a discounted price the more days you rent. Check the listing details or ask the owner directly if you plan to book a longer stay.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Savannah, GA RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What is included in my Savannah, GA RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Can I have my Savannah, GA RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
