We take the extra time to craft your VanLeigh Fifth Wheel with the greatest attention to detail.
We like to approach our work with a quality-over-quantity attitude.
The Jekyll Harbor Marina features an 850-foot dock. Several fishing charters and dolphin tours operate from here.
Article and Photos by: Steve Blume, Tiffin Ambassador
We first came here a year ago and liked it so much that we booked this year, and while here, we booked next year. It’s that kind of place. Located midway between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL, Jekyll Island is part of Georgia’s Golden Isles, a stretch of coastal land known for its unspoiled beauty and rich history. The island is only 1.5 miles wide and 7 miles long. This elevated road approaching the island stretches over a vast expanse of golden-green grasses, with waterways winding through the marsh in intricate, looping patterns. This view through my Tiffin windshield is expansive. Egrets and herons stand elegantly in the shallows as we drive by. The air feels different here—fresh and slightly salty, with that unmistakable briny scent of the ocean creeping in. I slide my driver’s window ever so slightly to welcome it in. There’s something serene and timeless about this stretch of road, as if nature itself has hit pause, inviting me to slow down and take it all in. Crossing this bridge onto Jekyll feels like crossing into a hidden world, where the hustle and bustle of everyday life falls away.
Just over the bridge is a parking pass kiosk. The island charges a daily $10 parking fee for island access, a modest sum that goes a long way in preserving this stunning landscape. Jekyll Island Campground is at the opposite end of the island. If you go left and through the island’s historic district, you get the sense you’re stepping back in time. Grand mansions dot the coastline, a reminder of the Gilded Age millionaires who once vacationed here in unparalleled luxury. If you go right, you go past a few restaurants and through the shopping area, but you get your first glimpse of ocean views. Golf carts share the road and are everywhere, so slow down.
The campground is state-run through the Jekyll Island Authority. It offers Tiffin-friendly sites with full hookups, shaded by beautiful live oaks with dangling Spanish moss. The bike and hiking trails leading to the beach and historic area are across the street. It is rustic, not a resort, but still has amenities like hot showers, laundry facilities, and easy access to the island’s main attractions. The campground is often in high demand, especially during peak seasons, so plan early.
Our first-morning walk is to Driftwood Beach, a short walk from the campground and famous for its hauntingly beautiful scenery. Massive, weathered trees lie scattered across the sand, twisted by the ocean and time, giving this beach a unique, otherworldly look. As we poke along the shoreline, the morning sun casts long shadows over the driftwood, creating the perfect backdrop for unique photos. The waves lap rhythmically against the coastline, and the scent of saltwater fills the air. It’s easy to lose track of time here; this beach feels like a hidden treasure, away from the crowds and untouched by commercialism.
Jekyll’s beaches offer something for everyone. While Driftwood Beach captivates with its rustic charm, Great Dunes Beach Park is perfect for a laid-back family day, with amenities like restrooms and showers. South Dunes Beach Park has scenic boardwalks that lead you over lush dunes to a peaceful stretch of sand.
In the late 19th century, Jekyll Island became a retreat for some of America’s wealthiest families. This exclusive club included the Rockefellers, Morgans, and Pulitzers, who built opulent “cottages” (more like mansions) on the island. Many remain today and are available for tours and overnight stays, offering a glimpse into the luxurious lives of these families who once called Jekyll their playground. The island fell on hard times after the Great Depression and WWII. Fearing it would be lost to development, in 1947, the state stepped in with a forced acquisition and purchased the entire island, including all the mansions, for the lowly sum of $675,000. This once-private 6,000-acre paradise soon opened as Jekyll Island State Park for everyone’s enjoyment.
Our one-hour trolley tour weaves through the 240-acre historic district and includes admission into the Mosaic Gallery and Faith Chapel. We’re admiring the architecture and soaking up the stories about the millionaires’ extravagant gatherings and quiet escapes from the world. This perspective and knowledge will be helpful when we return on our bikes and tour some of the homes. The centerpiece of this enclave is the Jekyll Island Club Resort, where guests today can enjoy the same ambiance that once lured the elite. Staying with tradition, people still dress in white to play a game of croquet on the lawn. As we walk along, it’s easy to imagine ladies and gentlemen in the late 1800s strolling through the lawns, dressed in fine clothing and enjoying tea under the oaks.
The dining room at the Jekyll Island Club is a magnificent, historic setting with high ceilings, gleaming wood paneling, and classic portraits that reflect its rich past. Sunlight streams through large, arched windows while crystal chandeliers warmly glow over the antique furnishings. You can almost picture the club’s wealthy members enjoying elaborate meals in this elegant, timeless space.
Just down a hallway, we stumbled upon the “Federal Reserve Room.” In 1910, a group of powerful bankers and government officials secretly arrived here to solve a problem that had plagued the U.S. economy for decades. Financial panics had been striking the country every few years, destabilizing banks and shaking people’s confidence in the economic system. These men gathered to design a solution—a centralized banking system that could oversee and regulate the country’s finances. That became the Federal Reserve System we know today.
The Mosaic Museum is constructed entirely within the existing footprint of the historic stables building. Interactive and family-friendly displays teach the island’s history from the Native American roots through the Gilded Age. The trolley tours also begin here.
Jekyll Island has over 20 miles of bike trails that snake through scenic marshlands, under moss-draped oaks, through the historic district, and along sandy shores. We ride from the campground, pedaling leisurely down the paved, shaded paths. It’s a fantastic way to explore the island and get close to nature without disturbing it. There’s a peaceful, almost untouched quality to Jekyll, which sets it apart from busier beaches and parks. If biking isn’t your style, you can kayak through the island’s marshes or take a guided wildlife tour.
The North Loop Trail directly across from the campground leads to the Jekyll Island Fishing Pier. Even if you aren’t fishing, it’s a great place to watch others and catch a good sunset. Carriage tours and trail rides start here as well.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center deserves more than just a quick visit—it’s an experience that stays with you, revealing the world of these gentle, ancient mariners and the dedicated team working to protect them. As you step inside, the sound of flowing water and the sight of staff tending to recovering turtles set the tone. You watch through windows as the hard-shelled patients receive their medical care. Interactive exhibits guide you through the lives of sea turtles, from hatchlings to full-grown adults, and the challenges they face in the wild.
Only one in 1,000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood. Every morning during nesting season, staff and volunteers walk the shoreline long before dawn, searching for tracks leading to new nests. Once discovered, the nest is marked, and a number is assigned. For those who want to play a part, you can symbolically adopt a turtle or a nest, supporting the center’s mission and connecting you personally to a turtle’s journey. We will get email updates on “our” nest and a notification when it hatches.
By midday, we’re ready for food! For a small island, Jekyll has some excellent dining options. Many restaurants offer coastal dishes, from fresh shrimp to crab cakes. We settle at The Wharf on the deck overlooking the water, enjoying a Coastal Shrimp Boil that’s just as fresh as it is delicious. Dinner tonight will be at another favorite, Tortuga Jacks, a tasty Mexican restaurant with a fun bar and outdoor seating overlooking the ocean.
Jekyll is one of those places that leaves a lasting impression—the balance of natural beauty, history, and charm makes it a unique destination. With its unhurried pace and serene landscapes, this island offers something special for travelers looking to escape the ordinary.
Tomorrow, we’ll probably head back to Driftwood Beach for another sunrise walk, then maybe explore some of the island’s lesser-known trails. Jekyll Island is a place that calls you back, a coastal gem that feels like a step back in time and a world away.
Steve first lives it, then colorfully writes about it, especially his passion for the RV lifestyle. A retired entrepreneur, he and his wife spend half the year traveling the country in their Tiffin Allegro RED 38 KA and the other half at home in Brentwood, TN with family. Married for almost 50 years, once you meet them he and Nancy are easily remembered – he is 6’4″ and she is 4’7″. His articles on business, personal development, faith, fundraising and running have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines over the years.
