Camp on Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island State Park has the only affordable camping option in the "Golden Isles" of Georgia so it was an easy pick for us, especially while Cumberland Island is still out of commission from Hurricane Irma.  Arriving on the island you will notice it is quite developed around the entrance but don't be discouraged by this view as the campground is about 8 miles away from the bridge.  

Reservations and information on availability is available and bookable online via their website. The campground is an RV affair at the front with a lot of sites dedicated to those needing power and sewer, also they have about 80 "snowbirds" who come from all over the continent to spend the winter months at the campground. Tucked away in the back far from the RV scene is about 10 "primitive" campsites although the only thing that makes these primitive is that you have to walk about 50 feet to the water spigot. The sites are nice and spaced out well so you don't feel like you are camping directly on top of someone else.

There are a ton of activities to do once you set up camp for the night or weekend.  We rented cruiser bikes from the campground and rode the distance of the island which is about 18-20 miles depending on how many of the spurs you take. The entire bike path is separated from the road and most of it is impeccably maintained. Explore Glory Beach and Driftwood Beach along with the others spread about the island. Glory Beach has a long boardwalk to get you over the dunes and was erected for a movie in the 80's with the same name. Driftwood Beach is pretty incredible and not to be missed for sunrise, it is also just a short walk from the campground.  

There are also a lot of options for kayaking or paddle boarding on the Bay or any of the sloughs around the island, but beware there may be alligators. Great fishing options are abundant as well from surf casting to dropping a line or a crab pot off the many piers and public docks.

If you need a quick and inexpensive break from city life I would recommend Jekyll Island as a good spot to unwind for a few days!