Cumberland Island National Seashore

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

This park's official page lists: Wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 19,044 acres (7,707 ha).

Designation: National Seashore. Listed as "Cumberland Island National Seashore" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Established: 1972.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Biking activity
• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Yankee Paradise activity
• Beaches scenic feature
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature

Shows and experiences

• Ranger & guided programs

Events

• Plum Orchard Mansion Tour
• Archery Managed Hunt
• Plum Orchard House Tour 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Primitive Weapons Managed Hunt Cumberland Island Wilderness Area
• Plum Orchard Christmas 01:30 PM–03:30 PM
• Adult/Child Managed Hunt Cumberland Island Wilderness Area
• Modern Weapons Managed Hunt Cumberland Island Wilderness Area

Before you go

Disability access

This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.

Limits

Reservations are required through All Terrain Georgia at least two weeks prior to your island trip

Limits

Pets are permitted on the island but must be on leash and must be transported by private boat as they are not permitted on the ferry

Limits

Drones are prohibited in National Park Service sites

Getting there

Cumberland Island is only accessible by ferry or private boat. These directions are to the mainland visitor center in St. Marys, GA. Driving Directions To reach the visitor center from Interstate 95: •Take Exit 3 for US 40 •Take US 40 East toward “Historic Downtown St. Marys” •US 40 becomes Osborne Rd. Continue on until you reach the waterfront •Turn right on St. Marys Rd •The visitor center will be two blocks down on your left (113 St. Marys St W, St Marys GA 31558)

Weather & when to go

Cumberland Island’s climate is hot and humid during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's (>26 C) and mild during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 60's (<20 C). The warmest month of the year is July with an average high of 90 degrees F (32 C), while the coldest is January with an average low of 45 degrees F (44 C). Visit the Current Conditions page for an up-to-date local forecast: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/conditions.htm#weather

Park alert: Ongoing Road Repair on Main Road

Ongoing road work will be taking place throughout the Main Road on the island. Expect potentially heavier vehicle traffic and areas of uneven terrain. Please yield to construction traffic. Be aware of approaching traffic both in front as well as from behind.

⚠ Caution: Scam Warning - Book ferry tickets through concessioner site only

Valid ferry tickets can only be purchased through the website www.cumberlandislandferry.com. Check site carefully before purchasing. Only valid tickets will be honored.

Park alert: Mainland Museum Closure

The Cumberland Island Museum will be closed for an extended period due to roof leakages. We apologize for any inconvenience but look forward to reopening to you in the future.

Visitor center

Mainland Museum — The Mainland Museum is open 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM daily dependent on staffing. The park relies on dedicated Volunteers to provide staffing for the museum. Occasional closures can result on short notice due to a lack of staffing. — To reach the museum from Interstate 95: •Take Exit 3 for US 40 •Take US 40 East toward “Historic Downtown St. Marys” •US 40 becomes Osborne Rd. •The Mainland Museum will be on the right, one block north of the waterfront. (129 Osborne Rd, St Marys GA 31558)

Visitor center

Mainland Museum

Visitor center

Mainland Museum

Visitor center

Mainland Museum

Visitor center

Mainland Visitor Center — The visitor center at the waterfront in St. Marys is open daily 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Park facilities are closed on December 25. — To reach the visitor center from Interstate 95: •Take Exit 3 for US 40 •Take US 40 East toward “Historic Downtown St. Marys” •US 40 becomes Osborne Rd. Continue on until you reach the waterfront •Turn right on St. Marys Rd •The visitor center will be two blocks down on your left (113 St. Marys St W, St Marys GA 31558)

Visitor center

Mainland Visitor Center

Visitor center

Mainland Visitor Center

Visitor center

Mainland Visitor Center

Visitor center

Sea Camp Ranger Station — Located at the Sea Camp Dock on Cumberland Island. The visitor center may be closed for short periods throughout the day as volunteers and rangers are tending to other duties. — Located at the end of the Sea Camp Dock on Cumberland Island National Seashore. The island is only accessible by boat.

Visitor center

Sea Camp Ranger Station

Visitor center

Sea Camp Ranger Station

Visitor center

Sea Camp Ranger Station

Facilities on the park map

6 bench, 1 changing table, 2 defibrillator, 5 picnic area, 15 restroom, 13 visitor information, 6 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Yankee Paradise
• Yankee Paradise Wilderness Campsite Yankee Paradise is one of three campgrounds in Cumberland Island’s designated wilderness on the northern part of the island. The campsite is located 7.5 miles north of the Sea Camp dock. Wilderness sites have no amenities. Fires are prohibited, but camp stoves can be used for cooking. Campers should be prepared to hang all food and trash. Water is available from a nearby well and must be treated. · 4 campsites · Accessibility: This campsite is within a designated wilderness. There are no improvements to the site and the only access is via unpaved wilderness trails. These sites may…
• Hickory Hill Wilderness Campsite Hickory Hill is one of three campgrounds in Cumberland Island’s designated wilderness on the northern part of the island. The campsite is located 5.5 miles north of the Sea Camp dock. Wilderness sites have no amenities. Fires are prohibited, but camp stoves can be used for cooking. Campers should be prepared to hang all food and trash. Water is available from a nearby well and must be treated. Per · 4 campsites
• Brickhill Bluff Wilderness Campsite Brickhill Bluff Wilderness Campsite is one of three campgrounds in Cumberland Island’s designated wilderness on the northern part of the island. The campsite is located 10.5 miles north of the Sea Camp dock. Wilderness sites have no amenities. Fires are prohibited, but camp stoves can be used for cooking. Campers should be prepared to hang all food and trash. Water is available from a pump well lo · 4 campsites
• Stafford Beach Campground Stafford Beach Campground requires a three and a half mile hike from Sea Camp. All sites are walk-to, tent sites and campers are responsible for transporting all gear. Carts of any kind or wheeled coolers cannot be used to haul gear. The site has flush toilets, cold showers, and water spigots with potable water. The sites include fire rings with grills. Food storage lockers (bear boxes) are availa · 10 campsites
• Sea Camp Campground Sea Camp Campground is located a half mile from the Sea Camp dock. All sites are walk-to, tent sites and campers are responsible for transporting all gear. Carts can be used. There are flush toilets, drinking water, cold showers, and a dish washing sink. Each site has a fire ring with grill, picnic table and food storage. It is common for this campground to fill up. Permits are $22 a night for ind · 18 campsites