When I first stepped foot on Cumberland Island, I was absolutely blown away by the natural beauty of the island. It felt so wild and untouched. The land is actually undeveloped and preserved by the U.S. National Park Service. I couldn’t recommend visiting Georgia’s southernmost and largest barrier island more! With pristine white beaches and sand dunes, roaming wild horses, historic mansion ruins, and towering live oaks, the Cumberland Island National Seashore is a treasure cove. Check out this complete guide to visiting the Cumberland Island National Seashore.

History of Cumberland Island

Early History

People of all backgrounds have walked the now protected land. Cumberland Island has a deep and rich history starting with natives solely occupying the land until Spanish missionaries arrived in the 16th century. Written records show that James Oglethorpe laid out two forts on the island in the early 1700s and planters arrived along with slaves shortly after. After the American Revolution, prestigious families became interested in Cumberland Island, and the first mansion was built.

Late 1800s to Modern Day

Then ushered in the plantation era until the early 1880s when the Carnegie family bought part of the land and began building their mansion. However, the family left the island after the Great Depression and kept the mansion vacant. The mansion burned down in 1959, and the ruins remain on the south end of the island. In 1972, the Carnegie family sold the island to the federal government, and Cumberland Island officially became a national seashore. Today, it is maintained by the National Park Service and protected for future generations.

Getting to Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island is located seven miles east of St. Mary’s, Georgia, and is only accessible by boat. There is a direct public ferry to Cumberland Island that departs from downtown St. Mary’s, and the ride lasts 45 minutes each way. The ferry runs multiple times a day with the earliest departure from St. Mary’s at 9 AM and the latest departure from Cumberland Island at 5:30 PM. During the winter months of December through February, the ferry does not run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Make sure to make a ferry reservation well in advance of your visit. Do note that the ferry only transports passengers and not cars.

Day of Visit

On the day of your visit, you will need to first check in at the Mainland Visitor Center in Downtown St. Mary’s at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time or you forfeit your reservation. I recommend arriving an hour early to park in the free designated lot, check in, and make your way to the dock to board the ferry. The ferry dock is a few blocks away from the visitor center so make sure to account for time to walk there.

Entrance Fees

Besides paying for the ferry transport, there is an entrance fee to visit the Cumberland Island National Seashore. It is $10/adult and free for youth and children under 16 years old. You will pay the entrance fee when you check in at the Mainland Visitor Center. Note: The America the Beautiful Pass is honored here.

Staying Overnight on Cumberland Island

To spend the night on Cumberland Island, you have two options: book a room at the historic Greyfield Inn or camp overnight.

Greyfield Inn

The Greyfield Inn was built by the Carnegies in 1890, and the furnishings and style remain true to its history today. The Inn offers 15 comfortable rooms in the main house and two additional cottages. A stay at the only hotel on Cumberland Island is an all inclusive experience. Guests of the Greyfield Inn take the hotel’s private ferry, the Lucy Ferguson. Additionally, all meals and snacks are included along with equipment such as bicycles, kayaks, beach chairs, umbrellas, and fishing gear and activities such as guided history and nature tours. Rates start around $600/night and a two-night minimum stay is typically required.

Camping

Cumberland Island offers 5 campgrounds to chose from! You must have a permit to camp on the island. Reservations open 6 months in advance so be sure to plan ahead. Camping is only permitted at these 5 sites, and they include designated campsites at Sea Camp and Stafford Beach, and wilderness campsites at Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise, and Brickhill Bluff. Wilderness campsites have no amenities while the amenities vary between Sea Camp and Stafford Beach. Find out more about each site and how to make your reservation here.

Things to Bring to Cumberland Island

You need to be well prepared in your visit to Cumberland Island as there are no shops, stores, or concessions on the island. I recommend bringing the following for a regular day visit:

• Food
• Drinks
• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking around the island! Additionally, there are are several places to refill water bottles on the south end of the island.

What to do on Cumberland Island

There is plenty to do on Cumberland Island including hiking, guided tours, swimming, biking, and photography.

Biking

The only ways to get around the island are either on foot or by biking. Biking is a great way to explore the island! Bikes are available for rent at the Sea Camp Dock when the ferry arrives and are managed by the Cumberland Island Ferry. The rental is $16 or $20 overnight.
Rental bikes are not permitted on the beach and must be returned to the Sea Camp Dock. Note that only adult sized bicycles are for rent.

Additionally, you can bring your own bike, but space is limited on the ferry. Space is limited to 10 bikes per ferry trip and are first-come, first-serve. There is also a transport fee of $10 per bike.

Trails

Cumberland Island has plenty of trails to explore! There are over 50 miles of hiking trails that will take you through maritime forests, interior wetlands, historic districts, marsh ecosystems, and beautiful beaches. I had a 2-hour visit and explored the south end of the island. For a day visit, I recommend the River Trail which is 0.8 miles that will take you from the Sea Camp Dock to the Dungeness Ruins. From there, take the Dungeness Trail (1.5 miles) if you have extra time. Check out all the different trails here.

Guided Tour

Guided tours are a great way to explore and learn about the island. There are a variety of tours available!

• The Lands and Legacies Tour (Cost: $45 + tax): interpretive tours via passenger van to historic locations including Plum Orchard Mansion, the Settlement, Cumberland Island Wharf, and other sites along the main road
• Footsteps Tour (Free): 1 hour ranger guided tour to the Dungeness Historic Area; tours begin when the ferry docks on the island
• Plum Orchard Tour (Free): Tour of an early 1900s home that echoes an opulent era in the island’s history; Plum Orchard is located 7 miles north of the Sea Camp dock and visitors are responsible for traveling the distance on bike or on foot
• Dockside Program (Free): Rangers and park volunteers offer this short program daily just prior to the last ferry departure (4:00 PM). The programs highlight a variety of cultural and natural history topics.

Places of Interest

• Sea Camp Ranger Station: Get suggestions on where to go and attend a ranger program at this station near the Sea Camp Dock
• Dungeness Ruins: Visiting the ruins of the largest mansion on the island is a must! For other hidden gems in the US, check out my article here.

• Plum Orchard Mansion: Take a tour of the 22,000 square foot Plum Orchard Mansion for a glimpse into the life on the island at the turn of the 20th century.
• First African Baptist Church: A one room church that embodies the story of island residents who weathered Emancipation & “Jim Crow” to own their own free place of worship
• Ice House Museum: Get an introduction to 5000 years of human history on Cumberland Island, and see photos and artifacts left from the Industrialist Era.

If Cumberland Island wasn’t on your travel bucket list, then it definitely needs to be added! I was stunned by the beauty of Cumberland Island when I visited and I hope you find an appreciation for the island as I did!

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