Our two-week stay at Jekyll Island Campground was exceptionally enjoyable as we not only explored the island but also ventured to various nearby sites. Additionally, we leisurely traveled to and from the campground, took the opportunity to ride new bike trails, and visited several National Parks. In total, we maximized the use of our national park pass by visiting five national parks or wilderness areas.
Kentucky Horse Park Campground, Lexington, KY
Adjacent to the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Horse Park Campground offers campers a discounted admission to the park, which is highly recommended for a visit. Situated close to downtown Lexington and Frankfort, the campground features a store, a spacious swimming pool, and is bordered by the Kentucky Legacy Bike Trail. With 240 generously sized sites, our stay at this campground was truly delightful.
Legacy Bike Trail
The Legacy Trail is an 11 mile paved path that runs from the Kentucky Horse Park on the northside of Lexington to Lexington. The most scenic part of the trail is the northern part through the Horse Park and by several horse farms. There were a few rolling hills but nothing too strenuous.
Other Sights in the Area
On our second day in Lexington it rained in the afternoon so we walked around Frankfort, KY which is a very charming little town and took a tour of Buffalo Trace Distillery. The distillery tour was free, interesting, and had a very generous tasting at the end. Buffalo Trace is the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States.
We also had some very good beer at the Country Boy Brewery in Georgetown, KY.
Winngray Campground, Waynesville, NC
This campground was okay, nothing spectacular. The woman who owned or managed the facility was very nice, but the sites were very small and it seemed like most of the sites were inhabited by permanent residents. I'm not sure there were any other vacationers there besides us. It was convenient to Waynesville, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Waynesville and Nearby Hiking
We really enjoyed walking around Waynesville. Lots of cute little stores. We ate at Boojum Brewery Taproom, a brewery with good food and good beer. I had the smash burger and the pale ale. The first night after we got set up we went for a short hike just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. On our full day we drove to the Cataloochee Valley to see the elk. We did see a few hiding up near the tree line. After that we did a 5 plus mile hike starting at Boogeman Trail Head. It was a very nice hike especially the first part that was along the creek. Very beautiful area.
Santee State Park, Santee, SC
We loved this campground. The sites were huge and very shaded. We were in one of two campgrounds called Cypress View and were right on a huge lake. The other campground was called Lakeview and it was even shadier with gravel/dirt roads. It also looked nice.
Congaree National Park
Situated approximately 50 minutes away from Santee State Park, the park is positioned off interstate 26 between Columbia, SC and Orangeburg, SC. It is a remarkable destination, being promoted as the largest unspoiled expanse of old growth hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. During our visit, we embarked on a 5-mile hike, a significant portion of which consisted of a boardwalk meandering through cypress forests. Additionally, I had my first encounter with the loblolly pine, characterized by its towering height and needles predominantly concentrated at the uppermost portion of the tree.
Jekyll Island Campground, Jekyll Island, GA
This campground is excellent. The sites, although fairly small, were shaded by beautiful mature trees. The full hook-ups were convenient for a two-week stay, and there is a well-equipped laundry room on the property. The nearest beach is only half a mile away, and a bike path runs right by the campground. We thoroughly enjoyed the island, with its extensive bike trails and proximity to various attractions. We would definitely return.
Jekyll Island and Its Extensive Network of Cycling Routes
Jekyll Island is beautiful and in April was fairly crowd-free. The Island has something for everyone - multiple beaches, several historic sites and miles of bike paths.
The beaches were wide and very flat. There were lots of "wild" areas on the Island - areas that had not been developed but were left as marshes and stands of forest.
The most iconic beach is called Driftwood Beach. The beach is covered with driftwood trees and dead trees that are still standing. If you are lucky you might see a RoRo (roll on, roll off) ship pass by. Apparently the largest of these RoRo ships can carry 6,000 cars! The Port of Brunswick is just across the bay from Driftwood Beach. It's a very cool beach!
There were over 20 miles of bike paths, mostly paved but several were dirt and pine needle covered and wound through through forested areas. The paths traverse the entirety of the Island. There are ample places to stop and rest or gaze out at the sea or the bay. We stopped in the historic village one day for an ice cream cone.
For history buffs Jekyll Island has a historic district, a museum and a walking display of the lives of the slaves who came to Jekyll Island on The Wanderer.
In 1886, Jekyll Island was purchased by a consortium of prominent individuals, such as the Morgans, Astors, and Rockefellers. They set up a clubhouse, constructed multiple family residences, and developed an apartment building where each unit was owned by a member, recognized as the earliest form of condominium in the United States. The Club enjoyed success for several years until its closure in 1942 as a result of challenges stemming from World War II.
In 1858, the ship traveled to Africa and arrived in the United States, exactly 50 years after the government had banned the importation of slaves. Although the conspirators were arrested and faced trial in Savannah, they were ultimately acquitted.
Within Driving Distance of Jekyll Island
While there was a great deal to do on Jekyll Island, we also loved that it was within a 90 minutes or so drive of several other attractions. We visited Cumberland Island National Seashore, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the Jacksonville-Baldwin bike trail and Savannah, Georgia.
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island, known by most as the Island of the wild horses, is accessible only by ferry. While we did encounter numerous wild horses during our visit, there was a wide array of activities and sights to enjoy. With the exception of a few residents, the only vehicles permitted on the Island are those belonging to national park staff. The absence of paved roads doesn't hinder exploration, as visitors can embark on a 30-mile van tour to discover the Island's history and natural surroundings.
Opting to bring our bikes on the ferry, we pedaled seven miles along a sandy road to reach Plum Orchard, a mansion constructed in the early 1900s by Tom and Lucy Carnegie for one of their children. We were happy we had the gravel bikes as the going was tough in spots.
Upon arriving at the mansion, we enjoyed a private tour, being the only visitors present. The Carnegies, who had another residence on the Island, built homes for their children who wished to spend winters there. Plum Orchard was designed for entertaining, featuring amenities such as an indoor swimming pool, racquet courts, and even an ice machine!
The original Island house built in 1884 was called Dungeness. Tom Carnegie and his wife Lucy built the house for them and their nine children. Tom died shortly after construction, Lucy continued to live on the Island for many years, overseeing numerous renovations. Lucy died in 1916 and by that time the house was 35,000 square feet. The house burned in 1959 and all that remains are some brick and stone walls.
Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail
We drove to Jacksonville, approximately one hour south or Jekyll Island to ride our bikes on the Jacksonville-Baldwin Bike Trail. The trail was well-maintained and provided ample shade after the initial few miles. We completed a roundtrip ride to Baldwin, covering a total distance of about 30 miles.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
We enjoyed this national park so much! Since we had our bikes with us we rode the seven-mile swamp road stopping often to look at the scenery. We also stopped at the historic homestead site and walked on the boardwalk to the observation tour. Before heading home we went on a boat tour on the canal through the swamp. Absolutely stunning place - well worth the visit!
Savannah, GA
We had never been to Savannah so decided to take advantage of its proximity to Jekyll Island to visit. We toured around on the hop on, hop off trolley, had lunch at the Old Pink House (highly recommend!) and did a bit of shopping. I would like to spend more time there at some point in the future.
Fort Yargo State Park, Winder GA
We stopped here on the way home so we could visit with our daughter and her husband who live in the Atlanta area. This is the second time we have stayed at this park and its a pretty great place. There is a huge lake with a swimming beach, the sites are spacious and shaded, and lots of trails on which to ride bikes or hike. Highly recommend!
Horse Cave KOA, Horse Cave, KY
Horse Cave KOA is a nice campground and very close to Mammoth Cave. This was the second time we stayed here and they continue to make improvements - mostly in things for kids to do. Recommend!
Mammoth Cave National Park
We went to Mammoth Cave and took the historic tour. While we have been here a few times we had never taken a tour. The tour was spectacular. The guide was funny, interesting and knowledgeable. The cave is so amazing! We also rode our bikes 17 miles round trip on the gravel path through the park. The trail is a bit hilly, but not too difficult.
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