Park the RV once—taste Georgia’s coast for months. From Savannah’s Shabazz Seafood Weekend in early spring to Jekyll Island’s Shrimp & Grits blow-out each October, four major festivals sit within a two-hour drive of Savannah Lakes RV Resort. Time your stay right and you can trade traffic jams and campground hop-scotch for one comfy site under our live oaks.
Key Takeaways
- Stay in one spot and reach four shrimp festivals: Savannah (March), Brunswick (May), Bluffton (July), Jekyll Island (October), all 30–105 minutes away.
- Monthly rate at Savannah Lakes RV Resort often costs less than three separate weekends, saving cash and packing time.
- Keep the big RV parked; use a car, rental, or ride-share to dodge festival traffic and tight streets.
- Resort perks: 50–75 Mbps Wi-Fi at sites, 150 Mbps in clubhouse, pool, splash pad, dog park, kayak launch, shaded walking trail.
- Add two “quiet days” before and after each festival for beach time, wildlife hikes, or downtown Savannah exploring.
- Activities match all travelers: senior trolley rides, kid inflatables, remote work spots, cyclist and paddler routes.
- For easy exits, park by 9 a.m., back into edge rows, or ride $4 shuttles/golf carts; pack a wagon, chairs, and cooler.
- Shop Monday seafood markets for cheaper Georgia shrimp, freeze fast, cook a quick outdoor Lowcountry boil, and bag shells tight.
- Weather guide: 70s in spring, humid 90s in July, mild 80s in October; watch hurricane alerts June–November.
- Good manners: buy local shrimp, use refillable bottles, leash pets, tip student musicians, and keep wakes low near fishing nets.
Keep reading to discover the “shrimp circuit” calendar that strings every fest together, the quiet-route parking lots locals use, and the Wi-Fi speeds you’ll see when the whole park is streaming fireworks. Whether you’re Harold & Linda hunting senior discounts, the Parker kids chasing parades, Maya balancing Zoom calls with sunset boils, or Alex pedaling to the gate with a camera, the roadmap below turns festival chaos into a laid-back Lowcountry adventure. Dive in—your perfect plate of pink, plump shrimp is only a scroll away.
Why Savannah Lakes RV Resort Makes a Stress-Free Base
Picture your rig tucked beneath moss-draped oaks just off U.S. 17 in Hardeeville. From this hub, a simple tow-vehicle puts Savannah, Bluffton, Brunswick, and Jekyll Island within a 30- to 105-minute coastal loop. Hub-and-spoke travel keeps packing to a minimum, slashes fuel costs, and lets pets settle into one routine instead of four.
Amenities clinch the decision. Quiet back-in sites along the nature trail suit early-morning walkers and anyone counting daily steps. The splash pad, pool, and after-dark lighting solve kid energy surges, while a clubhouse tested at 150 Mbps handles Maya’s design uploads even when neighbors stream evening concerts. Kayak-launch access beside the lagoon means Alex can slip in a sunrise paddle before the first food booth fires up.
Monthly-rate math sweetens the deal. Booking four straight weeks often costs less than three separate weekends because the resort’s extended-stay discount wipes out multiple reservation fees. That savings can fund golf-cart rentals, extra festival merch, or a plate or two of bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Map Your Four-Festival “Shrimp Circuit” Calendar
The calendar kicks off twenty minutes away in Savannah each March, when Shabazz Seafood Green Festival Weekend fills River Street with jazzy brass and peppery fry smoke. Six weeks later the Brunswick Blessing of the Fleet draws shrimp boats draped in palms and ribbons to St. Simons Sound, while dockside choirs hand the crowd goose bumps between horn blasts. Plan to arrive at each town by mid-morning, wander the vendor rows before sun peaks, and snag shaded bleacher seats for the afternoon boat parade.
Summer and early fall close the loop. The July Bluffton festival transforms Oyster Factory Park into a tiki-shirt block party complete with a sunset 5K, kids’ foam zone, and craft-beer garden overlooking the May River. Come October, the grand finale belongs to the two-day Jekyll Island fest, where celebrity chefs square off over cast-iron skillets and fireworks shimmer off the marsh. Sandwich two quiet recovery days on either side of each event so you can kayak black-water creeks, stroll Forsyth Park, or simply nap beneath your awning while the traffic thins.
Mini Itineraries That Fit Your Travel Style
Harold and Linda roll in the first week of March, sip coffee under the awning, and ride Savannah’s hop-on trolleys to keep knees happy while still hitting every square. After two mellow days they drift to Shabazz Seafood Green Festival, trade hushpuppy tips with church grandmothers, and cap the night with a riverside swing-band serenade. Mid-July tells a different story for the Parker Crew, who cannonball into the resort pool Thursday afternoon to erase road wiggles. By sunset they’re lacing neon sneakers for Bluffton’s Hawaiian-Shirt 5K, a kid-friendly dash that earns them beads and bragging rights in equal measure.
Maya schedules a two-week May stretch, hijacking the clubhouse’s 150-meg line each morning to push design files before shuttling south for Friday’s Brunswick boat blessing. She beats the lunch rush, photographs the net-mending demos, and still logs her Monday deadlines while festival gridlock fizzles. October belongs to Alex, who greets dawn from a kayak launch, spins twelve miles into Savannah on bike lanes, and later coasts south to Jekyll’s after-dark concert with his DSLR safely stashed in a $5 gear corral.
Driving, Parking, and Shuttle Shortcuts
Festival days begin with one rule: leave the motorhome plugged in. Tow-vehicles, compact rentals, or ride-shares slip through coastal town centers far easier than a forty-foot coach. Depart the resort by 9 a.m. on opening Saturdays; lots at Jekyll’s Great Dunes and Brunswick’s waterfront fill by mid-morning.
Locals back into edge-row spaces, nose pointed at the exit, so they can slide out before the last guitar chord fades. Re-entry stamps are common—stash seafood buys in a powered cooler during a midday break, then return refreshed. If you’d rather skip parking altogether, Jekyll runs $4 shuttles from remote lots while Bluffton reserves golf-carts online for about $40 a day.
Keep a collapsible wagon and soft-sided cooler in the trunk. They haul folding chairs, sunscreen, and impulse buys without straining backs or budgets. When feet protest, roll back to the wagon for a seat and chilled drink before tackling the next vendor row.
Buy, Store, and Cook Shrimp Like a Local
Festivals inspire cravings, but Monday markets reward patience. Two exits north on U.S. 17, family-run seafood counters drop prices once weekend rush subsides and happily heap ice for travelers. Always ask if shrimp are heads-on; the extra weight speeds spoilage, so cook or freeze within 24 hours.
Turn the RV freezer to its coldest setting the night before a market run, then dial it back after product solidifies. A patio-side Lowcountry boil—shrimp, sausage, new potatoes, corn, crab-boil seasoning—finishes in twenty fragrant minutes on a portable propane burner, sparing interior fabrics from stubborn seafood aromas. Triple-bag shells and tails, toss them just before dumpster pickup, and stray raccoons won’t treat your site like a buffet.
Weather Smarts and Site Upkeep on the Coast
Spring temperatures hover in the 70s with minimal mosquitoes, while July bursts into humid 90s and pop-up storms that test awning nerves. October eases back to balmy afternoons and cardigan evenings, perfect for open-air concerts. Because the Atlantic hurricane window stretches June through November, enable National Weather Service text alerts and keep fuel tanks half full in case you need to roll inland.
Salt air and marsh moisture invite mildew. Hang moisture absorbers in closets, spray stabilizer jacks with silicone, and retract awnings whenever you leave for the day. A ten-second habit now beats a torn canvas or rusty bolt later.
Festival Etiquette That Supports the Shrimping Community
Every fork of Georgia Wild Shrimp you buy feeds local trawler crews instead of cheaper overseas suppliers. Look for certification placards at food stalls, ask which boat hauled the catch, and savor the small-talk that keeps maritime lore alive. Reusable bottles, bamboo forks, and a quick toss into the clearly marked recycling bins keep marsh plastics out of egret nests.
Good manners extend beyond trash cans. Keep pets leashed around fish-cleaning tables, tip the teen fiddlers who hold your attention between sets, and idle boats to wake-free speed whenever nets are in the water. Your respectful footprint today helps ensure the shrimp circuit remains vibrant when you roll back through next season.
Shrimp season is calling—answer from one easy, shaded site at Savannah Lakes RV Resort. Anchor here and every boil, parade, and firework finale is just a scenic drive away while your pets, kids, or Zoom calls stay perfectly settled under our live oaks. Festival dates fill fast, so reserve your extended-stay site now, tap into our monthly savings, and let the front desk welcome you with a local “Shrimp Circuit” flyer—and maybe a pound of just-caught pink beauties—when you roll in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far in advance should I reserve an extended stay if I want to catch two or more shrimp festivals in one trip?
A: Aim to book three to six months ahead, especially for March and October events, so you can claim a single site for four to six consecutive weeks; that window comfortably brackets at least two festivals without moving the rig and still leaves buffer days for quiet sightseeing.
Q: Is there one handy calendar that shows all the nearby shrimp festivals and their 2024 dates?
A: Yes, our front-desk team keeps an updated “Shrimp Circuit” flyer that lists Savannah’s Shabazz weekend in March, Brunswick’s Blessing of the Fleet in May, Bluffton’s May River Shrimp Festival in July, and Jekyll Island’s Shrimp & Grits Festival in early October, plus drive times and typical crowd levels for each.
Q: Do any of the festivals offer senior discounts or free admission windows?
A: Shabazz Seafood Green Festival is always free; Brunswick’s Blessing of the Fleet waives Saturday entry for guests 65 + before noon; Jekyll Island drops Friday admission to $5 for seniors and offers a free shuttle from remote lots to minimize walking.
Q: Which festival has the best kid zone and what’s the wristband price this year?
A: The Bluffton May River Shrimp Festival wins for families, with inflatables, face-painting, and a sunset fun run; a $25 all-day wristband covers every kid activity and parents can re-enter any time with a hand stamp.
Q: Can I still stream Netflix or join a Zoom call when the resort is full on festival weekends?
A: Individual RV sites average 50–75 Mbps and the clubhouse clocks around 150 Mbps even when neighbors are live-streaming concerts, so you can handle HD video meetings or movie night without buffering.
Q: Is there a quiet workspace on-site if I need to finish a project before heading to an afternoon festival?
A: The air-conditioned clubhouse opens at 7 a.m., offers strong Wi-Fi, power outlets at every table, and generally stays hushed until lunchtime, making it an easy spot to log four focused hours before you switch to play mode.
Q: Are golf-cart rentals or shuttles available on festival days to cut down on walking?
A: Bluffton partners with a local vendor for pre-booked golf carts delivered curbside for about $40 per day, while Jekyll Island and Brunswick both run $4 round-trip shuttles from large satellite lots directly to the gate, saving you the hassle of downtown parking.
Q: We travel with a golden retriever—are dogs allowed at the festivals and how can we keep them comfortable?
A: All four festivals welcome leashed, well-behaved dogs; pack a collapsible water bowl and use the resort’s dog park for a good run beforehand, then plan shade breaks at the designated pet rest zones each event now posts near first-aid tents.
Q: Can I bike from Savannah Lakes RV Resort to any of the festivals?
A: Experienced cyclists often pedal the 12 mostly flat miles to downtown Savannah via the Highway 17 shoulder and riverfront greenway; other festivals sit farther out, so most guests drive or rack their bikes and ride the last mile on dedicated paths once parked.
Q: Where can I safely lock up kayaks or camera gear while I wander the booths?
A: Jekyll and Bluffton both offer $5 secured gear corrals beside the main information tent; staff issue a numbered tag so you can stash paddles, tripods, or helmets and explore hands-free.
Q: What’s the best way to store fresh shrimp in the RV if we buy a bulk deal after the festival rush?
A: Turn your freezer to its coldest setting the night before buying, place the bagged shrimp flat so they freeze quickly, then reset to normal once solid; this quick-freeze method keeps flavor locked in for up to three months without taking over the fridge.
Q: Are weekday festival events or soft openings less crowded for retirees and remote workers?
A: Absolutely—both Brunswick and Jekyll start cooking demos and artisan markets on Thursday afternoons, and crowd counts are often half of Saturday’s, giving you elbow room and shorter food-truck lines.
Q: Will I need to move the motorhome for festival parking or can I leave it hooked up?
A: Leave the RV plugged in and take your tow-vehicle or a ride-share; downtown streets fill fast and none of the festivals accommodate big rigs, whereas a compact car slips into side-street lots locals favor.
Q: What happens to my reservation if a hurricane watch is issued during my extended stay?
A: Savannah Lakes follows NOAA alerts; if an evacuation order is issued, we credit unused nights toward a future stay within 12 months or refund in full, giving you peace of mind during coastal storm season.
Q: Do any nearby trails or wildlife refuges pair nicely with a festival day for outdoor enthusiasts?
A: Yes, the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge sits five minutes from the resort and opens at sunrise, so you can fit in a dawn paddle or bike loop, shower back at your site, and still reach Savannah’s festival gate by late morning.