Camping near Tybee Island with horseback riding

Less than 20 miles from Savannah, Tybee Island is a popular coastal getaway. The northernmost of Georgia’s barrier islands, it’s home to oceanfront and river beaches, salt marshes, wildlife, and plenty of history. Enjoy sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and other watersports in the Atlantic Ocean, or paddle along the pristine waterways, then feast on freshly caught seafood. For a change of pace, explore the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, Fort Screven, or the Marine Science Center. Camping options are limited, but nearby islands offer coastal camping, while inland Georgia allows camping among maritime forests, lakes, and woods.

Coastal Georgia

There are several islands near Tybee Island where you can camp overnight. Just south, Little Tybee Island offers a truly primitive camping experience. Accessible only by boat or kayak, there are no facilities but campers can pitch a tent anywhere on the island. At Skidaway Island State Park, explore maritime forests and salt marshes then spend the night under Spanish moss and live oaks. Nearby Fort McAllister State Park offers Civil War historic sites, along with outdoor recreation and birding. Stay in a tent or RV at the campground, in a cottage, or head out into the backcountry to pitch a tent.

Inland Georgia

Head west and inland for city charms and more diverse geography. Private camping options let you stay in tents, RVs, or cabins near Savannah. Georgia’s oldest city is full of southern charm, ghost stories, and historic sites. Further west, Jack Hills State Park offers golf, a lake, and a campground that includes tent sites for tents and RVs and cabins. Go paddling or wildlife spotting at George L. Smith State Park, then spend the night in a cottage in the woods or camp lakeside. Magnolia Springs State Park lets you cool off in the natural springs, then stay in a tent, RV, or cabin. 

Coastal South Carolina

If you can’t get enough of the coast, head north to North Carolina. Play a round of golf, hit the beach, or enjoy the resort lifestyle at popular Hilton Head. Stay at an RV resort on the island, or in a tent at a private campground on the mainland. Further north, Hunting Island State Park offers wilderness, wildlife, and saltwater lagoons, along with primitive, tent, and RV campsites, while Edisto Beach State Park offers an extensive trail network, maritime forest, and camping options that span walk-in tent sites  to furnished cabins.

Visitors flock to Tybee Island in the summertime, especially over the weekends and holidays. For more manageable crowds, visit in the late spring and early fall, when the weather is still pleasant for beach and water activities. Hurricane season runs from June to November and can impact travel plans. Visit in fall for oyster season. Winter can be a good time for birding and a quiet escape.

• You can get around Tybee Island by bicycle, scooter, golf cart, and taxi, but you’ll want a car to get to and from the island. All public parking on the island is paid.
• Several beaches on Tybee Island offer wheelchair mats and fat-tired wheelchairs.
• Bring insect repellent. Mosquitoes can be an issue in the area.
• Pets are not allowed on beaches and buildings in most public parks.
• Dispersed camping and recreation on Georgia Wildlife Managed Areas (WMA), where permitted, usually requires a license, permit, or pass.