Criminal Defense Attorney in Skidaway Island, GA.

Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia, with trams, cobblestone streets, and ancient architecture. The Spanish moss dressed over hundreds of years old live oaks, the grounds that carried the burden of Union and Confederate conflicts, and the meandering Savannah River that formerly transported wooden pirate ships are all part of Savannah's identity. Exploring one of the South's most important historical cities doesn't need tourists to spend a fortune on their accommodation. Several campgrounds around Savannah provide the finest things: wilderness, history, and that legendary Southern charm. Here are the best 10 campsites in the area.

River's End Campground

The River's End Campground is an excellent starting point to explore Savannah. It's a campsite on Tybee Island, only a few minutes from the beach. In conjunction with the RV spaces, the park has cottage rentals, a gift store, and a huge pool. Regular full hookup sites with water, sewage, electric service, TV, and other amenities are available for RVs. The campground has a total of 100 campsites.

Red Gate Campground and RV Resort

The nearest RV park to historical Savannah, Red Gate Campsite, has the truest old Southern charm of any campground near Savannah, GA. The campsite resembles a huge Southern plantation, complete with live oaks, lush fields, and lakeshores, rather than a location to park RVs. Despite being only 10 minutes away from Savannah, tourists would be excused for not leaving the immaculate surroundings, especially with the variety of activities available at Red Gate Campground.

Savannah Oaks RV Resort

Savannah Oaks RV Resort features all of the best facilities of any campsite around Savannah for RV campers. This park is situated on the Ogeechee River. The amazing region is covered in extending oaks that shelter the RV sites, as the name implies. Tourists may use free heated and air-conditioned bathhouses, a playground, free internet, hot showers, and a boat ramp. Savannah Oaks RV Resort is ready to cater to all tourists.

Savannah South KOA Holiday

In Savannah, there is a highly rated KOA campsite with big pull-through sites and sheltered back-in areas along the lake. This campsite has a fishing lake, swimming pool, and rental boats. In addition to RVs, there are tents and cottage sites. The marvelous Savannah South KOA Holiday campground offers a dog park, TV, Wi-Fi, fireplaces, and a tour bus.

Creek Fire RV Resort

Savannah visitors like camping at the Creek Fire RV Resort, which offers RV sites, cottages, and tent sites. There are 209 full hookup RV back-in and pull-through sites. There is a lake recreation area with accommodations and a nature path nearby. The RV park also features a hot tub, a heated pool, ping pong, darts, and billiards tables. Other attractions include a lazy river, a children's splash pad, sports courts, a shuttle service, and a restaurant.

Fort McAllister State Park Campground

Fort McAllister State Park is worth visiting and camping at. It contains an amazing trailer, tent, and RV campsites. The park offers group shelters, cottages, pioneer campsites, and picnic lodgings for rent. There's an Earthwork Fort, boat ramps, a gift shop, a Civil War museum, and a playground here, so it's a pleasant spot to visit. The park provides several events where visitors may learn about animals, crafts, army life, and other topics while camping.

Skidaway Island State Park

The enchanting waters of Skidaway Island State Park are just beyond Savannah's historic area. Tourists could see a snowy egret while keeping an eye for other species as well; this is one of the rare campgrounds on the magnificent Colonial Coast Birding Trail near Savannah. Skidaway Island State Park is known for its seclusion. Natural growth surrounding campsites, as well as the beautifully hanging Spanish moss, provide a quiet Georgia wilderness retreat.

Little Tybee Island

Savannah's camping secret is Little Tybee Island. It's generally a nice area to dodge the camping throngs because getting there requires a kayak or canoe excursion. It is a virgin barrier island that has retained its astonishing wild nature. Little Tybee offers free but rustic camping with unlabeled spots. Visitors can camp anywhere around the island, but they have to bring enough food and water to last the duration of their stay and carry out everything with them after they leave.

Lotts Island Campground & Marina

The Lotts Island Campground & Marina is situated at the Hunter Army Airfield and is an excellent area to camp for troops, veterans, or those who are somehow connected to the military. This campsite is available all year round and takes bookings up to 90 days ahead of time. Pets are permitted as long as they are kept on a leash and are cleaned up after. A breathtaking marina with boat spaces and a fishing pier are also available in the vicinity.

Camp Lake Jasper RV Resort

When tourists rent a site at the Camp Lake Jasper RV Resort, they will be in a handy location to explore Savannah, Hilton Head, Beaufort, and other destinations. It is located next to a mesmerizing natural preserve and features an astonishing lakeside center with a swimming pool, showers, laundry facilities, gas grill, and horseshoe pit. There's a local shop nearby for supplies, as well as a dog park. Visitors may reserve a spot at this campground either by phone or online.

A woman and her dog in Butterbean beach. Right: A kayak on Butterbean beach.

Savannah, GA is known for its budding restaurant and bar scene, rich historic background, and scenic and eccentric architecture.

When tourists make their way through the Hostess City, many set aside time to visit Tybee Island, the charming and quaint beach town just outside of Savannah.

But there are hidden gems tucked away on Georgia's stunning coastline that not many people know about unless they're local.

There are winding back rivers that branch out from the Atlantic Ocean, and you can navigate the waters by ocean kayak to catch a scenic view of the marsh.

Butterbean Beach is a tiny secret location that can be found on the Intercoastal Waterway on the way to Skidaway Island State Park.

This spot is a popular drop-off point for people looking to spend some time padding along the winding narrow paths.

Though the actual shoreline is really tiny, there is a set-aside swimming area along with some spots to set up a picnic to relax in the sun.

Since it is off the beaten path, it's not uncommon to get a first-hand glimpse at some of the wildlife the coast has to offer.

Dolphins and otters can be seen swimming and playing in the gentle waves that expand across the horizon.

But this spot is also known for being one of the few places in Georgia where you can encounter a manatee in the wild.

Off the shore of Butterbean Beach is a preserved area of tall marsh grass that can only be approached by a small boat, which is perfect for hosting endangered mammals.

Due to it's remote location, there are rarely crowds here, making this hidden gem the perfect getaway for a date night or quiet day to unwind.

Butterbean Beach

Price: Free

Address: 25 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411

Why You Need To Go: You can enjoy your own private slice of paradise away from the crowds and see marine life up close in their natural habitat.

Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

Iris Hundley Moore Hensley, 100, of Skidaway Island, Savannah, GA, beloved wife of the late George Hughes Hensley, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 10, 2022. Born in Westhaven, VA and raised in Richmond, VA, she lived in Loyall, KY, St. Paul, VA, Massapequa, NY, and New Canaan, CT before moving to The Landings of Skidaway Island in 1986 where she and her cherished husband of nearly 71 years, enjoyed many happy times with friends they made through church, golf, community volunteer projects, and later at The Marshes of Skidaway. Iris and George built a wonderful life together raising their family and making dear friends wherever they lived and traveled. She devoted herself to her family and church serving as church Sunday school superintendent for many years, Girl Scout treasurer, Cub Scout den mother and hospital volunteer. As an active 35year member of the Skidaway Community Church, she held leadership roles and enjoyed fellowship and study in her circle meetings.

Iris was predeceased by her parents, John Emmett and Hazel (Kidd) Hundley; her brothers, John Emmett, Jr, Hilton, and Clyde, and their spouses; her first husband, 2nd Lt Frederick Samuel Moore, a WW II pilot, killed in action in 1944; and her loving son-in-law, Henry R. Allen. Iris, leaves a daughter, Patricia H. Allen of Wethersfield, CT; and a son W. Michael Hensley, MD (Diane) of Parkersburg, WV. She is also remembered by her adoring grandchildren and their spouses: Geoffrey Allen (Heidi); Julia Fields (Eric); Laurel Fedor, MD (David); Alice Walz, MD (Jeremy); Brian Hensley, MD (Andrea); Kerrin Hensley, PhD; as well as twelve great-grandchildren; two nephews and two nieces; and numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Iris’ family extends their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to her Marshes’ home care second family, Davenia, Freddie, Jackie, Lucinda, Luz, and Michelle, whose loving and devoted care brought her great joy, companionship and comfort these past five years. Her family also expresses special thanks and appreciation to the excellent care given by Dr. Pamela Gaudry and to the support of Savannah Hospice. Iris leaves a legacy of faith, devotion, and kindness to all who knew her.

A memorial service to celebrate this loving woman will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 12:30 PM at the Skidaway Community Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Skidaway Community Church, 50 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411.

Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com

For Savannah Morning News

Like many during 2020 and its months of uncertainty, author and naturalist Cathy Sakas hunkered down and honed her creative work.

Isolation inspired a new book, and when she emerged from the shutdown and intermittent closures and re-openings, she wasn’t alone. Her friends, a cohort of long-time writers, had done the same, each rounding out the year with new works they wanted to publish.

But landing a book deal in the conventional, big-press way is a time consuming venture that’s anything but easy, riddled with non-responses, punctuated with rejection. And working with on-demand printers and independent presses can be just as daunting, as more often than not, writers end up footing the bill for fees and confusing costs.

Other local authors:Angela May hopes to get kids engaged in reading with her new book series with Mary Alice Monroe

And so, Sakas along with her brother, writer and retired business attorney, Jeff Sakas, and local writers Ben Goggins, Mallory Pearce and William Strong forged a collective to launch Maudlin Pond Press in April 2021. It serves as Tybee Island’s first independent book publisher aimed at local, regional and first-time writers.

“Necessity is always the mother of invention,” intoned Sakas. “We each looked around for publishing opportunities and couldn’t find anything that was truly fair towards authors. Many smaller presses require the writer to put up at least $5,000 ahead of publishing, and that really wasn’t feasible for any of us.”

Maudlin Pond Press kicked into gear like this: after business and marketing plans were in place, the team of writers conferred with Jeff Sakas to square away legal documents, like registration with the Georgia Secretary of State and official business licensure through the City of Tybee Island.

Other local books:Former Savannah-area high school basketball coach opens up on his struggles with addiction

They brought on Lauren Gilker Clackum to handle web design and manuscript layout. The team then established a partnership with on-demand printer Ingram Spark, through which they have global distribution with Amazon and other online book retailers.

To date, Maudlin Pond represents five authors and has published nine books.

Local authors put passion for the coast into their writing

The first book they took on was a re-launch of an out-of-print field guide, “The Low Country,” written and illustrated by veteran author, Mallory Pearce, with a foreword by acclaimed Georgia nature writer, Janisse Ray. The book and its lush drawings of coastal plants and animals currently is enjoying a resurgence thanks to new online sales and local representation in Tybee gift shops.

Pearce, who moved to Tybee Island with his family as a teen in the late 1940s, is considered creative catalyst for the press. He and his present-day artistic and intellectual friends would spend time together sharing ideas beside the real-life Maudlin Pond at his Tybee home.

Recent writing from Janisse Ray:With her new book 'Wild Spectacle,' Janisse Ray is connecting with her 'wildness' after 20 years

“When my family moved here from upstate New York, I was smitten with the marsh and wildlife,” recalled Pearce. “I would go out and take in the beauty all around us. I want to instill a love of nature and try to preserve it as much as possible, and I hope my writings inspire people to love and protect this fragile land that’s home to so many different ecosystems.”

Pearce and his family have a long history of community involvement on the island. His mother, Sally Pearce, was a well-loved artist and environmentalist; his father was a chemist and director of the CDC when it was located on Oatland Island.

Pearce has so far published two books with Maudlin Pond. A third, his autobiography, is due out later this year.

Local columnist and essay writer, Ben Goggins, is also part of Maudlin Pond’s founding. Goggins and Cathy Sakas were biology students together. After college, Sakas went on to be a professional naturalist, leading canoe tours through the Okefenokee Swamp; Goggins spent time as a marine biologist, collecting and caring for specimens at Skidaway Institute of Oceanography’s public aquariums.

Several years ago Sakas first reached out to Goggins to edit stories for her book, “Swamp Goddess,” a collection of adventures around taking people boating in the Okefenokee. It was natural that he’d be part of a collective press primarily focused on nature and observational writing.

“It just seems fitting that we’d all finally come together and do this thing,” chuckled Goggins. “Our goal is to be an incubator of talent synonymous with quality books and writers. We want to encourage especially first-time writers to make Maudlin Pond a household name for developing strong relationships with authors and treating them well throughout the publication process.”

Earlier this year, Goggins published a book of essays and photographs, “Another Day in Paradise, Living on Tybee Time.” It’s a collection of highlights from his Savannah Morning News column, “Looking for Pearls,” in which he reveals some of the special moments and hidden gems of living on the island at the end of the road.

Recent Ben Goggins columns:The Coastal Bird Ambassador program is helping make Tybee paradise for the people and the birds

Other Looking for Pearls columns:Meet the possibly oldest lobster fisherwoman in the world — 102-year-old Virginia Oliver

One last one because Ben is great:'We really can be all one quilt': A celebration of Lazaretto Day on Tybee Island

Late last year, the collective took on their first new writer, Gigi Mischele Miller, who’s working on a children’s book about the North Atlantic Right whale. Miller who lives in St. Augustine, Fla., grew up watching these whales roll along their beaches in November during migration.

Now, on the brink of extinction, fewer than 320 North Atlantic Right whales remain. Miller knew she wanted to write about this species for her first book and help get its story to the next generation.

“Cheryl Munday, head of the Right Whale Festival in St. Augustine suggested Maudlin Pond because they print children’s books, and the fact that Cathy is a whale ambassador, it was the perfect connection. When I spoke to her, I knew instantly she was the perfect publisher for my book. Maudlin Pond is small and able to give one-on-one attention. They really care, and I feel respected, not like a dollar sign.”

“Riley the Right Whale and His Friend Kyle,” is a brightly illustrated book about a mother whale that becomes entangled in fishing line and sends her young calf, Riley, to get help. The book explores ethical ways of helping whales in hopes of bringing back the North Atlantic Right Whale from the verge of extinction. It comes out in October just ahead of the Right Whale Festival in St. Augustine.

Also:Speeding vessels threaten Georgia state marine mammal, the endangered right whale

Cathy Sakas’s most recent publication with Maudlin Pond is also a children’s book. “The Adventures of Leslie Binnacle the Barnacle,” presents the sea-faring adventures of a barnacle that hitches a ride on a boat in Savannah and sails to San Francisco. The story teaches marine ecology, and through its characters explores empathy and cooperation.

Sakas envisions these early efforts as foundational for launching local talent into larger markets. “We want to see this flourish as a homegrown Tybee press that can springboard new, local or regional authors into fresh opportunities,” emphasized Sakas.

“And really, I’d like to encourage all those people that have a book in them, to let it come out and let it be with us, a friendly local, marsh-roots publisher with a global heart.”

A kayak navigating George L Smith State Park. Right: The shore at Back River on Tybee Island, GA.

Kayaking is a tried and true way to beat the infamous Georgia heat.

Getting together a group of friends and spending time out on the water is an ideal active summer pastime.

Whether you prefer a leisurely creek or a more intense trip out in the ocean, these water trails will allow you to cool off and still get your heart rate up.

These are the best spots in Georgia to go paddling, and most are free if you bring your own boat to launch! If not, however, there are plenty of local tour guides who will show you the way around the water.

George L Smith State Park

Price: $5 parking fee

Address: 371 George L. Smith State Park Road, Twin City, GA

Why You Need To Go: Here you can paddle below towering cypress and tupelo trees in the park's Mill Pond, which feels like nature has formed its own ceiling of foliage. The waters are calm and rustic, and there is a boat ramp with a parking lot to launch your kayak.

Tybee Island Back River

Price: Free ($2/hour parking)

Address: Back River, Tybee Island, GA

Why You Need To Go: Locally known as "Back River", this quiet stretch of beach is one of Tybee Island's hidden gems. You can launch your sea kayak right from the beach free of charge, however, for less experienced paddlers Savannah Canoe & Kayak offers guided tours.

Sweetwater Creek State Park

Price: $5 parking

Address: 1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, GA

Why You Need To Go: Sweetwater Creek State Park is an outdoor oasis just outside of Downtown Atlanta. Escape the city and navigate calm waters that will take you on a journey past an abandoned historic mill and under eerie bridges.

Altamaha River

Price: Free

Address: Altamaha River Ramp, U.S. Route 1, Baxley, GA

Why You Need To Go: The Altamaha River Water Trail, part of The Nature Conservancy's ''Last Great Places'', will take you through wildlife preserves, forests, and past sandy shores where you can hop off and swim.

Skidaway Narrows

Price: Free

Address: 25 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA

Why You Need To Go: You can launch your boat into the Intracoastal Waterway at Rodney J. Hall Boat Ramp and make your way around and through the rustic narrows of Skidaway Island State Park. You can stop off and swim at Butterbean Beach along the way, where there's a manatee preserve.

Lake Sinclair

Price: Free

Address: Sinclair Dam Boat Ramp, Milledgeville, GA

Why You Need To Go: This massive human-made wonder is a popular destination for weekend getaways. On the calm, blue waters you can navigate hidden coves and expansive shorelines that are ready to be explored.

Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.