A True Southern Snowbird Destination

The Americus KOA Journey at Brickyard Golf Club is a prime snowbird location in the heart of the Peach State.

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Words by Steve Fennell

Other than travelling to a long-distant snowbird destination in the southwestern U.S. from provinces like Ontario or Quebec (as many do), you don’t have to spend too much time on the road to enjoy a snowbird season of warm weather, all the while saving on fuel and added travel expenses.

With a variety of hotspots south of the border to spend the winter months, Georgia is just one of the states in the heart of ‘snowbird country,’ and the Americus KOA Journey at Brickyard Golf Club is an appealing option. It’s easily accessible from the I-75 and once here, much of your time can be spent enjoying outdoor recreation, social campground activities, as well as the local atmosphere and attractions.

Located in Americus, GA, two hours between Atlanta and Tallahassee, FL, this KOA Journey RV park has snowbird-friendly monthly rates and enticing benefits on- and off-site.

Owned and operated by the W.N. Clark family,  including Debra Clark-Sykes and her husband as well as Charles Sykes and Gail Clark Enloe, the fifth-generation family-owned business opened in 1979. Over four-plus decades, it has evolved into a popular RV park with a social environment and a lot of outdoor activities. From golfing and fishing to enjoying a slower pace of life, it effectively serves snowbirds and transient RVers alike all season.

RV Park Fees, Amenities and More

Monthly rates are as competitive as $595 USD per month for a full-service site that includes water, sewer 30-/50-amp power plus unlimited free green fees for the park’s on-site, regulation 18-hole golf course. For added convenience, you’ll appreciate the wide pull-through grass sites that are big-rig friendly (some can accommodate RVs up to a maximum length of 30 m (100 ft)), as well as the campground-wide WiFi,  picnic tables, and easy access to the park’s amenities.

Georgia has some great cuisine to savour and if you want to sample some of the local flavours, the RV sites in the C Row section have fire rings to cook outdoors. For the sites that don’t, a portable fire pit can be delivered to your site for campfire enjoyment.

But if you just want to relax or socialize, there’s a pavilion, a community fire pit, and what is called the ‘Man Cave’ - all are spaces to mingle with other RVers and enjoy campground community events throughout the season. The grounds also have well-maintained showers/washrooms, laundry facilities, an exercise room, and even a campground store for certain necessities.

On-Site Golfing and Outdoor Recreation

Golfing is just one of the main attractions here and the Sykes family makes a lot of effort to ensure great, stress-free rounds on its course. The well-manicured fairways span 6,199 yards with a mix of par 3, 4, and 5 holes. Pull carts are available and electric carts can be rented for $10 per person riding.  

If you prefer some challenges during your game, water, sand bunkers and other hazards are encountered around the course. Before or after your round, balls, tees and other golfing accessories can be purchased at the pro shop located in the campground store.

To enjoy another type of recreation, the on-site disc golf course is popular and consists of 18 holes with wide-open and wooded fairways as well as a variety of challenging hazards. A nine-hole ‘foot’ golf course is even available and entails playing a round with a soccer ball - an excellent pastime for kids of all ages.

But the park’s outdoor recreation isn’t just limited to playing the links in different capacities. The grounds are surrounded by several ponds that are stocked with

bass, bream (sunfish) and catfish that offer exciting catch and release fishing. Two four-seat paddle boats are available to rent and explore the pond. Should you just want to stay on land, walking and biking trails are easily accessible throughout the park, too.

Local Southern Attractions

Although a lot of time can be spent at the Americus KOA Journey at Brickyard Golf Club, you’ll want to plan day trips to Americus and Sumter County. A good starting point is visiting the Sumter Tourism Welcome Center to discover not only Americus but its neighbouring communities of Anderson, Leslie and Plains.

Given that agriculture plays a pivotal role in Sumter’s local economy, seasonal farmer’s markets are held throughout the county and fresh local produce is found in the many grocery stores and established markets.

History buffs will want to visit the Andersonville National Historic Site, which is popular for the National Prisoner of War Museum. According to the National Park Service,  it’s “the only museum solely dedicated to interpreting the American prisoner of war experience and dedicated to all prisoners of war in America's past who have served their country.”

Approximately 17 km (10.5 mi) to the west is Plains, GA, the birthplace of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States. Insightful history is displayed through the

Jimmy Carter National Historic Park that consists of The Plains Highschool, which is a park museum and visitor centre; The Boyhood Farm (owned by Earl Carter); The Plains Depot; and the Plains Historic District.

Other local attractions include the Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park in Cordele and Lake Blackshear, which covers more than 3,520 ha (8,700 ac) where fishing, boating, golfing, and even dining are popular. It provides the perfect day trip. The Georgia Rural Telephone Museum is another interesting sight and is 6 km (4 mi) from the RV park.

Georgia is a fascinating snowbird destination. Add the hospitality, comfortable RV sites, plus the services and recreation of the Americus KOA Journey at Brickyard Golf Club, and you’ll be set for an exciting and comfortable snowbird season.

For more information visit https://koa.com/campgrounds/americus