Cumberland Island National Seashore is a wonderful outdoor location for your next solo or family camping trip (or even just day trip if you don’t want to camp). This barrier island is located about a 45 minute ferry ride from St. Mary’s.
If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, here is some information on camping on Cumberland Island:
If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, here is some information on camping on Cumberland Island:
- There are both wilderness campgrounds (Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise, and Brickhill Bluff) as well as two main campgrounds (Sea Camp and Stafford Beach)
- When staying at wilderness campgrounds, you will need to treat the water, hang food, and be prepared not to have camp fires. Backpacking stoves are fine, however.
- Sea Camp and Stafford Beach have drinkable and potable water.
- The entire island is pack in-pack out. There are no trash cans available on the island.
- Wilderness campgrounds and Stafford Beach are hike in/hike out and carts are not allowed past Sea Camp.
- A permit is required to camp on the island. You can pay camping fees online and park entrance fees at the Mainland Visitor Center before you get on the ferry.
Campgrounds & Distance from Sea Camp Dock
- Sea Camp Campground: half a mile, carts can be used to transport gear from the ferry
- Stafford Beach Campground: 3.5 miles
- Hickory Hill Wilderness Campsite: 5.5 miles
- Yankee Paradise Wilderness Campsite: 7.5 miles
- Brickhill Bluff Wilderness Campsite: 10.5 miles
A free copy of Cumberland Island Trail Map, with campground markings, can be found from The Georgia Conservancy.
One common way to experience the island is to rent or bring personal bikes. You can ride bikes on the main road. It is a 14 mile round trip bike ride from Sea Camp Dock to Plum Orchard. There is potable water at Plum Orchard, any other water source in the wilderness area needs to be appropriately treated. If you are staying in a wilderness campsite, you can bike on the main road. Once you get to the hiking trail to the campground, you need to secure your bike on the main road. Bikes are not allowed on the hiking trails. Information on biking the island can be found here.
Are you ready for a camping adventure? For more Kings Bay ideas and regional travel inspiration, click here.