While Waycross is located off the beaten path in rural Georgia, this small town of 36,000 residents is packed with culture and history for you to explore on your upcoming RV trip. Established around 1820, Waycross received its name years later when multiple railroad lines began running through the area. Well before European-Americans settled the area, however, the Okefenokee tribe called it home. At the Okefenokee Heritage Center in the downtown area, you can learn more about the tribe and the region's history. Today, the city features two historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the registered venues include the Obediah Barber Homestead, Lott Cemetery, the post office, and the courthouse.
Locals and visitors come together in Waycross several times yearly to partake in seasonal festivities. The Waycross Holiday Festival of Lights is a free event that has a 30,000-light display and fun family activities. The city also hosts a fireworks display and New Year's Eve celebration. If you plan to spend time enjoying the great outdoors during your visit, hiking and biking along the Laurel Island Parkway Trail and the Douglas Greenway Trail are great ways to spend a few hours.
Several nearby towns also have points of interest that you can explore. For example, in Albany, you can check out the Weatherbee Planetarium, the State University of Georgia, the Albany Railroad Depot Historic District, and Bridge House. Jacksonville, Florida, is only 90 minutes from Waycross. It offers everything from professional sporting events to the Jacksonville Zoo, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, Little Talbot Island, and more.
Situated conveniently in Waycross, Pebble Hill Campground provides travelers with a carefree, family-friendly setting that is ideal for relaxation and fun. The RV sites are available with full hookups for roughly $43 per night. Long-term rates are available as well. During your stay, you can take advantage of the park's swimming pool, fishing pond, clubhouse, and nature trails. There are also fresh eggs and a vegetable garden available to guests.
Laura S. Walker State Park sits near the Okefenokee Swamp in Waycross and offers 44 RV sites with electric hookups and water access. The sites are available for $34 per night or $238 per week. This 626-acre park has a 120-acre lake, a wildlife observation boardwalk, and a dog park. There are also hiking trails, a playground, a sandy beach, and a boat ramp available for you and your travel companions to enjoy.
Okefenokee RV Park is located only a short drive from Waycross in Homeland. Its 50 RV sites have full hookups and picnic tables. The nightly rate ranges from $35 to $37, and weekly and monthly rates are also available. At this campground, you will have access to bathrooms with showers, a coin-operated laundry, a restaurant, a rec room, a community hall, and special events throughout the year.
Not far from Waycross near the coastline, Crooked River State Park delivers an unspoiled coastal experience. This 500-acre park features a tidal river, moss-draped oak trees, palmettos, salty marshes, and even a forest. The ruins of an old tabby mill used in the Civil War are also on the grounds. Anglers will appreciate a boat ramp, a fishing dock, and a bait shop. The Colonial Coast Birding Trail is a great place to spot water birds. You can also take advantage of the nature center, a playground, hiking trails, and a mini golf course. If you don't have your own, local merchants rent out bikes to RVers so you can paddle Crooked River's trails.
Stephen Foster Culture Folk Center State Park sits on the shore of the Suwannee River. It is named after 19th-century musician Stephen Foster, who resided in Waycross. In addition to touring the park's museum dedicated to Foster, you can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views while hiking on designated trails. Other enjoyable ways to spend your time at the park include spotting wildlife, canoeing, and biking.
Close to Douglas, General Coffee State Park is a 1,511-acre nature area named after a military leader. With its location on the Seventeen Mile River and its swamplands, the park is home to several endangered and rare species. In addition to the abundant outdoor recreational activities available, visitors can tour historic structures like a cane mill, a tobacco barn, and a corn crib.
There are several notable monuments and historical sites that are fun for the whole family and can enrich your knowledge of the area's culture and history. At Waycross's former Army airfield, the Waycross Monument stands proudly. It recognizes the valiant efforts of servicewomen and servicemen from throughout the region over the country's history.
You can also visit a pioneer's home that was built in the early 1800s. It was the home of the "King of the Swamp," Obediah Barber, for decades. This house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The site includes a 110-foot boardwalk and several nature trails, which are ideal for spotting more than 100 native species. There are also other historic buildings and a museum on-site.
Lott Cemetery is also a fascinating place to tour in Waycross. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is the final resting place of numerous Confederate soldiers. The cemetery dates back to 1877, and it remained the main cemetery for the city until 1901. By touring the area, you will see the old cemetery with Oak trees and large monuments, as well as an extensive selection of funerary art.
In Georgia and throughout the region, a variety of stunning ecosystems and landscapes are waiting to be explored. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest covers roughly 867,000 acres in Georgia. Here, you will find magnificent waterfalls, rolling hills, and a variety of rivers and streams. An impressive 850 acres of hiking and biking trails weave through the area and allow you to explore the natural beauty up close. Whether you are backpacking, camping, kayaking, or enjoying other activities, you may spot beavers, bears, deer, foxes, and more. Some of the most popular areas in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest that RVers visit are the head of the Appalachian Trail, Brasstown Bald, and Anna Ruby Falls.
You can visit Francis Marion National Forest just across the Georgia-South Carolina line. This protected area covers more than 258,000 acres and is named for a Revolutionary War hero. When Hurricane Hugo swept through the area, most of the forest's coniferous trees blew down. As a result, you will find many species of young-growth trees during your visit. In addition to hiking trails, rifle ranges, and boat ramps, this area is home to the Palmetto hike and bike trail and the Wambaw Cycle Trail.
A little farther down the road, Sumter National Forest encompasses 370,442 acres. The landscape includes part of the Appalachian Mountains, up to 75-foot-tall waterfalls, dense forests, and several waterways. Sumter National Forest is a popular spot for horseback riding, ATV riding, fishing, target shooting, hunting, hiking, backpacking, and biking.
By taking a scenic, four-hour drive, you can reach the pristine wilderness of Congaree National Park. The landscape here is beautified by tall trees, marshlands, and two rivers. Both the Wateree River and the Congaree River are popular for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. If you are feeling adventurous, you can paddle from the park to Columbia via the 50-mile Congaree River Blue Trail. Numerous hiking trails canvas the park and offer spectacular scenery. Trails are offered at easy, moderate, and difficult levels. Picnicking, bird-watching tours, and wildlife viewing are popular at Congaree National Park as well.
Situated in southern Florida, Everglades National Park is a stunning, subtropical ecosystem that offers many memorable experiences. Several endangered species are in the park, including the Florida panther, the manatee, and the American crocodile. The park is teeming with activities, such as cycling on the Long Pine Key Nature Trail, the Snake Bight Trail, or Shark Valley. Boating, camping, paddling, hiking, geocaching, and fishing are a few of the other possibilities for fun in Everglades National Park.
While you are in Florida, take time to visit Biscayne National Park. This park uniquely comprises mostly waterscapes, making it ideal for boating, fishing, and snorkeling. You can also paddle through mangroves or enjoy one of several guided eco-adventures. Points of interest in Biscayne National Park include Elliott Key, Boca Chita Key, the Maritime Heritage Trail, Stiltsville, and others.
In most areas, the price to rent a motorhome is around $200 a night and the price to rent a towable trailer is around $120 a night.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Waycross, 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 Waycross, 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 Waycross, 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.
