Cumberland Island National Seashore
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.
Cumberland Island is only accessible by ferry or private boat. Directions from the Park Service ↗
About 1 hours from Jacksonville by car.
Alerts
- CautionNPS ↗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.
- InformationMainland 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.
- InformationOngoing 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.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per PersonCumberland Island National Seashore has a per-person entrance fee. This fee is waived for America the Beautiful pass holder plus three adults. Must present pass at time of check-in. | $15 |
A 7-day entrance pass is $15 per person. We have a $45 annual pass that covers 4 adults. Cumberland Island NS is a cashless operation.
Hours
| Cumberland Island National Seashore | Daily · Sunrise to Sunset |
When to go
March draws the most visits here and August the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Sea Camp Campground | 18 sites | |
| $22 a night · Sea Camp Campground will be closed to all visitors and campers from Feb. 23 to Mar. 1 for construction work. · 16 reservable | ||
| Stafford Beach Campground | 10 sites | |
| $12 a night · Camping is most popular during the Spring and Fall, but the campground stays open all year. · 10 reservable | ||
| Hickory Hill Wilderness Campsite | 4 sites | |
| $9 a night · Camping is most popular during the Spring and Fall, but the campground stays open all year. · 4 reservable | ||
| Yankee Paradise Wilderness Campsite | 4 sites | |
| $9 a night · Camping is most popular during the Spring and Fall, but the campground stays open all year. · 4 reservable | ||
| Brickhill Bluff Wilderness Campsite | 4 sites | |
| $9 a night · Camping is most popular during the Spring and Fall, but the campground stays open all year. · 4 reservable | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Mainland Museum ↗Passport stamp
Exhibits explore the cultural and natural history of the island from prehistoric American Indian lives, through British occupation during the war of 1812, the Plantation Era, the Gilded Age, and the island today.
- Mainland Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
The Mainland Visitor Center is located at the waterfront in downtown St. Marys, GA. Visitors taking a ferry to the island should check in at this location 1 hour prior to departure.
- Sea Camp Ranger Station ↗Passport stamp
Located at the Sea Camp dock on Cumberland Island. Visitors camping on the island must visit Sea Camp for a quick orientation and to receive their camping permits. Volunteers and rangers staff the station when available throughout the day.
Explore
Things to do
- Hike the Southend Loop3-5 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…
Opens on the Park Service site - 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.
Opens on the Park Service site - Plan a Backpacking Trip1-7 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.
Opens on the Park Service site - General Biking2-6 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.
Opens on the Park Service site - Bike to Plum Orchard3-5 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.
Opens on the Park Service site - Bring Your Own Bike2-6 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.
Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 12Hide
- 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…
Opens on the Park Service site - 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.
Opens on the Park Service site - Lands and Legacies Tour
Take a van ride to the north end of the island. A guide will present the island's history.
Opens on the Park Service site - Become a Jr. Ranger
Join the National Park Service “family” by becoming a Junior Ranger. Complete the activity book, have a park ranger review it, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge for Cumberland Island.
Opens on the Park Service site - Swim at the Beach
With over 17 miles of undeveloped beach, no matter where you are on Cumberland Island you’re never too far from the beach. Swimming in the ocean can a great way to beat the heat on a hot coastal Georgia day.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike to Little Greyfield2-4 Hours
Take a secluded hike through the maritime forest and along the beach. This hike will take you through saw palmetto, wax myrtle and under the canopy of sprawling live oak trees.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- Primitive Weapons Managed Hunt11/03· free · registration requiredCumberland Island Wilderness Area
- Adult/Child Managed Hunt12/19· registration requiredCumberland Island Wilderness Area
- Modern Weapons Managed Hunt01/05· registration requiredCumberland Island Wilderness Area
News
- Cumberland Island National Seashore Invites Public Input on Proposed Voluntary Land Exchange Environmental Assessment ↗2026-09-09
Cumberland Island National Seashore today announced a 30-day public comment period on two voluntary proposed land exchanges.
- Cumberland Island National Seashore Finalizes New Comprehensive Visitor Use Management Plan ↗2026-08-31
Cumberland Island National Seashore has finalized a new Visitor Use Management Plan that amends the 1984 General Management Plan and establishes clear, adaptive strategies for visitor access, recreation and resource…
- Cumberland Island National Seashore Announces 2026-2027 Hunt Season ↗2026-06-25
2026 annual archery hunt opens applications on July 1
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Duck HouseBuilding · St. Marys · 1.5 mi
- Little Cumberland Island LighthouseStructure · St. Marys · 8.4 mi
- John Houstoun McIntosh SugarhouseSite · St. Marys · 8.7 mi
- St. Marys Historic DistrictHistoric district · St. Marys · 10.1 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for Cumberland Island National Seashore and the South
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthOsprey 2× · Belted Kingfisher 1× · Brown Pelican 1× · American White Pelican 1× · Peregrine Falcon 1× · Great Horned Owl 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 322 birds, 31 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · American Swallow-tailed Kite · BALD EAGLE · BLACK VULTURE · BROAD-WINGED HAWK · Barn Owl · Barred Owl · Burrowing Owl · Cooper's Hawk · GOLDEN EAGLE · GREAT HORNED OWL · MERLIN · Mississippi Kite · Northern Harrier · Northern Saw-whet Owl · OSPREY · PEREGRINE FALCON · RED-TAILED HAWK · ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK · Red-shouldered Hawk · SHARP-SHINNED HAWK · SHORT-EARED OWL · Screech Owl · TURKEY VULTURE
Waterfowl & wadersAMERICAN BITTERN · AMERICAN BLACK DUCK · AMERICAN COOT · AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN · American Wigeon · BLACK RAIL · BUFFLEHEAD · Black-crowned Night-Heron · Blue-winged Teal · Brown Pelican · CANADA GOOSE · CATTLE EGRET · CLAPPER RAIL · COMMON GOLDENEYE · COMMON LOON · COMMON MERGANSER · Double-crested Cormorant · EURASIAN WIGEON · Fulvous Whistling-Duck · GREAT EGRET · GREATER SCAUP · GREEN HERON · GREEN-WINGED TEAL · Glossy Ibis · Great Blue Heron · Great Cormorant · HOODED MERGANSER · HORNED GREBE · King Rail · LEAST BITTERN · LITTLE BLUE HERON · Lesser Scaup · Mottled Duck · NORTHERN PINTAIL · PIED-BILLED GREBE · RED-BREASTED MERGANSER · REDDISH EGRET · RUDDY DUCK · Red-necked Grebe · Red-throated Loon · Ring-necked Duck · SANDHILL CRANE · SNOW GOOSE · SNOWY EGRET · TRICOLORED HERON · TUNDRA SWAN · VIRGINIA RAIL · WHITE IBIS · WOOD DUCK · WOOD STORK · YELLOW RAIL · YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
Shorebirds & seabirdsAMERICAN AVOCET · AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER · AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER · American Oystercatcher · American Woodcock · BONAPARTE'S GULL · BRIDLED TERN · BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER · Baird's Sandpiper · Black Skimmer · Black Tern · Black-bellied Plover · CASPIAN TERN · COMMON TERN · Common Snipe · Cory's Shearwater · Dunlin · Forster's Tern · Glaucous Gull · Great Black-backed Gull · Greater Shearwater · Greater Yellowlegs · Gull-billed Tern · Herring Gull · ICELAND GULL · KILLDEER · LEAST SANDPIPER · LEAST TERN · LONG-BILLED CURLEW · Laughing Gull · Leach's Storm Petrel · Lesser Black-backed Gull · Lesser Yellowlegs · Long-billed Dowitcher · MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD · Marbled Godwit · PARASITIC JAEGER · PECTORAL SANDPIPER · POMARINE JAEGER · PURPLE SANDPIPER · Piping Plover · RED PHALAROPE · RING-BILLED GULL · RUDDY TURNSTONE · Red-necked Phalarope · Royal Tern · SABINE'S GULL · SANDERLING · SANDWICH TERN · SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER · SOLITARY SANDPIPER · SOOTY SHEARWATER · SPOTTED SANDPIPER · STILT SANDPIPER · Semipalmated Plover · Short-billed Dowitcher · Sooty Tern · Upland Sandpiper · Western Sandpiper · White-rumped Sandpiper · Willet · Wilson's Phalarope · Wilson's Plover · Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Gamebirds & dovesCOMMON GROUND-DOVE · Eurasian Collared-Dove · Mourning Dove · Rock Dove · WHITE-WINGED DOVE · WILD TURKEY
WoodpeckersDOWNY WOODPECKER · Hairy Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · PILEATED WOODPECKER · RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER · Red-bellied Woodpecker · Red-headed Woodpecker · Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsCHIMNEY SWIFT · Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Also on the checklistACADIAN FLYCATCHER · AMERICAN CROW · AMERICAN REDSTART · American Goldfinch · American Pipit · American Robin · Anhinga · BACHMAN'S SPARROW · BALTIMORE ORIOLE · BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER · BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO · BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER · BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER · BLACKPOLL WARBLER · BLUE GROSBEAK · BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER · BLUE-HEADED VIREO · BLUE-WINGED WARBLER · BROWN THRASHER · BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH · Bank Swallow · Barn Swallow · Belted Kingfisher · Bewick's Wren · Black Scoter · Black-legged Kittiwake · Black-necked Stilt · Blackburnian Warbler · Blue Jay · Boat-tailed Grackle · Boat-tailed Grackle · Bobolink · Brant · Brown Creeper · Brown Noddy · Brown-headed Cowbird · CANADA WARBLER · CAPE MAY WARBLER · CAROLINA CHICKADEE · CAROLINA WREN · CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW · CLIFF SWALLOW · COMMON GRACKLE · COMMON MOORHEN · CONNECTICUT WARBLER · Canvasback · Cedar Waxwing · Chestnut-sided Warbler · Chipping Sparrow · Common Nighthawk · Common Yellowthroat · DARK-EYED JUNCO · DOVEKIE · EASTERN MEADOWLARK · EASTERN PHOEBE · EASTERN TOWHEE · EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE · EUROPEAN STARLING · Eastern Bluebird · Eastern Kingbird · FISH CROW · FOX SPARROW · Field Sparrow · GADWALL · GRASSHOPPER SPARROW · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Golden-winged Warbler · Gray Catbird · Gray Kingbird · Gray-cheeked Thrush · Great Crested Flycatcher · HOODED WARBLER · Henslow's Sparrow · Hermit Thrush · House Sparrow · House Wren · INDIGO BUNTING · Kentucky Warbler · King Eider · Kirtland's Warbler · LAPLAND LONGSPUR · LARK BUNTING · LARK SPARROW · LE CONTE'S SPARROW · LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH · Least Flycatcher · Lincoln's Sparrow · Loggerhead Shrike · MALLARD · MARSH WREN · Magnolia Warbler · NORTHERN CARDINAL · NORTHERN GANNET · NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD · Nashville Warbler · Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow · Northern Parula · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Northern Shoveler · Northern Waterthrush · OLDSQUAW · OVENBIRD · Orange-crowned Warbler · Orchard Oriole · PAINTED BUNTING · PINE SISKIN · PINE WARBLER · PROTHONOTARY WARBLER · PURPLE FINCH · PURPLE GALLINULE · Palm Warbler · Philadelphia Vireo · Prairie Warbler · Purple Martin · RAZORBILL · RED CROSSBILL · RED-EYED VIREO · RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD · Red Knot · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Redhead · Roseate Spoonbill · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Rusty Blackbird · SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW · SEASIDE SPARROW · SONG SPARROW · SORA · SUMMER TANAGER · SWAMP SPARROW · Savannah Sparrow · Scarlet Tanager · Sedge Wren · Snow Bunting · Sprague's Pipit · Surf Scoter · Swainson's Thrush · Swainson's Warbler · TENNESSEE WARBLER · TREE SWALLOW · Tufted Titmouse · VESPER SPARROW · Veery · Vermilion Flycatcher · WESTERN KINGBIRD · WHIP-POOR-WILL · WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW · WHITE-EYED VIREO · WHITE-THROATED SPARROW · WILLOW FLYCATCHER · Western Meadowlark · Whimbrel · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-winged Scoter · Wilson's Warbler · Winter Wren · Wood Thrush · Worm-eating Warbler · YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT · YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER · YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER · Yellow Warbler · Yellow-bellied Flycatcher · Yellow-billed Cuckoo · Yellow-headed Blackbird · Yellow-throated Vireo
Small mammalsBLACK RAT · COTTON MOUSE · EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL · EASTERN MOLE · HISPID COTTON RAT · LEAST SHREW · MARSH RABBIT · MARSH RICE RAT · SOUTHERN SHORT-TAILED SHREW
Marine mammalsBOTTLE-NOSED DOLPHIN · DWARF SPERM WHALE · Florida Manatee · GOOSE-BEAKED WHALE · PYGMY SPERM WHALE · ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN · SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALE
PredatorsBOBCAT · COMMON RACCOON · Common Otter · Coyote · MINK
Hoofed mammalsFERAL HORSE · WHITE-TAILED DEER
BatsBIG BROWN BAT · EASTERN PIPISTRELLE · Little Brown Bat · NORTHERN YELLOW BAT · SEMINOLE BAT
Also on the checklistFERAL HOG · NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO · VIRGINIA OPOSSUM
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Camping in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Weather & climate
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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cumberland Island?
Entrance is $15 per person on foot or bike. Cumberland Island National Seashore has a per-person entrance fee.
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Cumberland Island?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Cumberland Island takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
When is entrance to Cumberland Island free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Cumberland Island?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Cumberland Island. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Cumberland Island?
Standard hours are Sunrise to Sunset, every day.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Cumberland Island?
Yes. The Park Service lists 5 campgrounds in Cumberland Island: Sea Camp, Stafford Beach, Hickory Hill Wilderness Campsite, Yankee Paradise Wilderness Campsite, and Brickhill Bluff Wilderness Campsite. 5 take reservations through Recreation.gov.
Which Cumberland Island campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Showers: Sea Camp and Stafford Beach.
Source: Campgrounds
Do camping fees at Cumberland Island include the entrance fee?
No. Camping is charged per night on top of the entrance fee or a pass; Sea Camp is $22 a night.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Cumberland Island right now?
3 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Mainland Museum Closure; Ongoing Road Repair on Main Road; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Cumberland Island?
60,299 recreation visits in 2025, number 252 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Cumberland Island?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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