Cumberland Island is 17.5 miles long and
totals 36,415 acres of which 16,850 are
marsh, mud flats, and tidal creeks. The
island is
rich with natural resources like ancient sea
turtles, wild turkeys, wild horses,
armadillos, sand dunes, maritime forests,
and salt marshes. The historic significance
of this island
is the subject of numerous books and
archeological studies. She is Cumberland
Island, the largest of Georgia’s barrier
islands, and the one most filled with
romance, history, and intrigue.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is an
American treasure. When visitors first set
foot upon the island (via the Cumberland
Queen ferry from St. Marys’ waterfront),
there is an immediate sense of awe: that
this island, like no other, should be mere
minutes from Mainland Georgia. Cumberland
Island’s past is a tantalizing story of the
Timucuan Indians, the French, the Spanish,
pirates, wars, steel magnates, and cotton
plantations. The Travel Channel named her “America’s Most
Beautiful Wilderness Beach.”
Camping
Both developed and wilderness camping is
available. Reservations are encouraged and
may be made up to six months in advance. All
camping is limited to seven days. Spring and
late fall are peak seasons. Entrance fees,
camping fees and ferry fees are additional.
Backcountry Camping
Camping is limited to seven days. Back
country sites are $2.00 per person per
night. There are no facilities at the
backcountry sites and water must be treated.
Campfires are not permitted in the
backcountry and portable stoves are
suggested. The three backcountry sites range
from 5.5 to 10.5 miles from the Sea Camp
ferry dock. Sites are assigned upon arrival.
Hickory Hill: 5.5 miles from Sea Camp, in
the heart of the island, offers a
fascinating close encounter with an
intriguing interior freshwater wetland and
its wildlife. Due to being located in a
wetland area, bugs are often prevalent.
Yankee Paradise: 7.5 miles from Sea Camp,
also in the center of the island and a half
days walk to and from the Plum Orchard
Mansion.
Brickhill Bluff: 10.5 miles from Sea Camp,
located on the Brickhill River. A favorite
place for seeing dolphins and manatees.
Sea Camp
Sea Camp Campground is $4.00 per person per
night. The campground at Sea Camp has
restroom facilities with cold water showers,
a small amphitheater for ranger programs,
and boardwalk access to the beach. This
campground consists of 16 individual camp
sites and two group sites. Group sites can
accommodate 10-20 people. Each campsite has
a grill, fire ring, food cage, and picnic
table. Sites are assigned upon arrival.
Stafford Campground
Stafford camp sites are $4.00 per person per
night and are located 3.5 miles from the Sea
Camp Ranger Station. Restrooms, showers, and
fire rings are available at the site. Fire
rings are on a first come first serve basis.
Hiking
A total of 50 miles of hiking trails
meander through maritime forests, interior
wetlands, historic districts, marsh
ecosystems, and the beautiful beaches.
Trails are accessible only by foot. The
roadways allow vehicle and bicycle use.
Trails at the south end include Dungeness
Trail, a ranger led or self-guided walk
through the Dungeness Historic District,
River Trail(a short walk from Dungeness Dock
to Sea Camp), Nightingale Trail offers
another view of a maritime forest, while the
South End trail is an interesting collision
of ecosystems. Traveling north on the dirt
shell road, Grande Avenue takes you through
the heart of the island under a draping
canopy of live oaks, forest floors packed
with palmetto, tall stands of stately pines,
open fields, tidal creeks, fresh water
wetlands and lakes, Plum Orchard Mansion,
and culminating at the site of the First
African Baptist Church located in the
Settlement at the north end of Cumberland
Island.
Cumberland Island Websites
Cumberland Island NPS
Welcome to St Marys,
Georgia
Cumberland Island's
Greyfield Inn
Other Campground Sites
ReserveAmerica - Directory
of campsites in the United States
ons can be made by Internet or
phone.
KOA Campgrounds
Go Camping America - National
Association of RV Parks and
Campgrounds with a directory
listing of over 3000 RV parks and campgrounds.
CampUSA.com - Search
for campgrounds in the US. Listings include amenities, season dates,
information and coupons.
I-95 Camping Areas -Campground
listings from Maine to Florida. Plus road news, gas price updates,
travel forums, and contests.
USA Camp Sites - Camp
sites, RV resorts, campgrounds and National and State Parks directory.
RVing and Camping: Out West Style -Listing
of RV parks and campgrounds in California, Oregon, Nevada, and
Washington.
Northeast Campground Association - New
England Campgrounds and RV Parks. New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine,
Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts campgrounds.
Southwest Campgrounds and RV Park Directory -
Directory of campgrounds located in Texas and New Mexico.
RV Park and Campground Reviews - Reviews,
by campers, of campgrounds .
CampInAmerica.com - Campgrounds
and RV parks around the country. Find ratings, details, activities,
locations and amenities.
America's Best Top 10 Outdoor
Activities
Cycling Tours -
USA's Top 10 Bicycling Tours and
by
State
Climbing - Guide
Service to America's highest mountains and more
Fly Fishing
-Discover America's best fly fishing hot spots
Fishing Vacations -
Great American Fishing Holes and Links
Hot Air Balloon Racing
- Hot Air Balloons and Festivals
Golf Courses -
America's 25 Greatest Golf Courses
Rafting Trips -
America's favorite Rafting Adventures
Rock Climbing in
National Parks
Rock Climbing in the
United States
Sea Kayaking - Best
of the East and West Coasts
Kayaking - Top 10
White Water Rivers in the US
Skydiving - Top 10
most scenic places to skydive in the US.
Sleigh Rides -
Romantic and Family Sleigh Rides
Snowboarding - Best
in the West and East
Snowmobiling - USA's
Top 10 Snowmobiling Areas
Ski Areas - USA's
Top 10 Western & Eastern Ski Areas
Cross Country Skiing
- From Alaska to Maine
Equestrian Vacations
- Best horseback vacations
Cumberland Island campgrounds are rated the best island campgrounds in the United States. Our top ten lists are constantly
being revised as we experience and visit new campgrounds.
So, if you feel we are missing one, please email us and let us
know!