Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a national seashore run by the National Park Service in Georgia.

In the park service’s words

St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man and nature. Natives, missionaries, enslaved African Americans and Wealthy Industrialists all walked here. Cumberland Island is also home to over 9,800 acres of Congressionally designated Wilderness.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Hike the Southend Loop (3 to 5 Hours): Take a 4.5 miles hike through the forest, over the marsh and along the beach. Take some time to explore the Dungeness historic district, wildlife and history is everywhere! This Is a great 3-4 hour day hike for first time visitors that provides a taste of the island’s diversity.
• Plum Orchard Tour: Plum Orchard Mansion was built in 1898 by Lucy Carnegie for her son, George Lauder Carnegie, as a wedding present. This home reflects an opulent era in the island's history; one of recreation, relaxation, and time spent with family. This Visitors today can join a ranger for a 45-minutes tour of this 22,000 square foot
• Plan a Backpacking Trip (1 to 7 Days): Backpacking on Cumberland Island can be a great experience when proper preparations are made. Failure to prepare can lead to a less than desirable and potentially dangerous experience.
• General Biking (2 to 6 Hours): Riding a bike can be a great way to get around the island. However, with no paved roads on the island it is important to understand the conditions on the island. Read on to find out if biking is right for your visit.
• Bike to Plum Orchard (3 to 5 Hours): Take a 15-mile round trip bike ride up to the Plum Orchard mansion and take a tour of the Georgian-revival house. This is a strenuous 3-5 hour bike ride. Check with a ranger before starting out for current conditions.
• Bring Your Own Bike (2 to 6 Hours): Bringing your own bike can provide more access to the island. Not all bikes are suited to be ridden on Cumberland Island. Read on to see if biking is a good choice for your visit.
• Ranger-Led "Footsteps" Tour: Walk with a ranger as you explore the Dungeness historic district and dive into the pivotal stories of its location. Tours are offered when the ferry arrives at the Dungeness dock (around 10:00 AM and 12:45 PM) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, when staff is available. Ask if tours will be offered on the day of your vis
• Kayak to the Island: Kayaking to Cumberland Island offers a different perspective and can be a rewarding experience. Advanced preparation is essential, however. This is only recommended for those with previous coastal kayaking experience.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $15 per person. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. The park is open 24 hours a day, all year. The island is only accessible by boat. The visitor center, other facilities, ferry operations, and docks for private boats all have separate hours, however; please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere.

Camping

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)

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Mainland Museum: Daily, 1:00PM - 4:00PM. 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.
• Mainland Visitor Center: Daily, 8:00AM - 4:00PM. 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.
• Sea Camp Ranger Station: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:30PM. 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.

Weather

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

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Congaree, about 206 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Cumberland Island National Seashore (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.