About 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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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 (
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Georgia. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Entrance Fees
Cumberland 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.
Operating Hours
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.
Activities
Current Alerts
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.
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.
Valid ferry tickets can only be purchased through the website www.cumberlandislandferry.com. Check site carefully before purchasing. Only valid tickets will be honored.
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)
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Hike the Southend Loop
Take a 4.5 miles hike through the forest, over the marsh and along the beach. Take some time to explore…
Plum Orchard Tour
Plum Orchard Mansion was built in 1898 by Lucy Carnegie for her son, George Lauder Carnegie, as a wedding present.…
Plan a Backpacking Trip
Backpacking on Cumberland Island can be a great experience when proper preparations are made. Failure to prepare can lead to…
General Biking
Riding a bike can be a great way to get around the island. However, with no paved roads on the…
Bike to Plum Orchard
Take a 15-mile round trip bike ride up to the Plum Orchard mansion and take a tour of the Georgian-revival…
Bring Your Own Bike
Bringing your own bike can provide more access to the island. Not all bikes are suited to be ridden on…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
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…
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…
Lands and Legacies Tour
Take a van ride to the north end of the island. A guide will present the island's history.
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…
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.…
Hike to Little Greyfield
Take a secluded hike through the maritime forest and along the beach. This hike will take you through saw palmetto, wax myrtle…
Birding on the Beach
Birding on the beach can be successful in any season on Cumberland Island. There are many rear-round residents, and those around during…
Shop at the Bookstore
Stop by the bookstore at Cumberland Island’s Visitor Center in Saint Marys, GA, open daily from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed…
Hike to Sea Camp Beach
With 17 miles of undeveloped beach, it is easy to find your own personal space on Cumberland’s beach. The wide-open space of…
Photography
Cumberland is a magical place for photographers. Abundant wildlife, picturesque ruins, and lack of crowds make this a great place for taking…
Explore the Ice House Museum
Make a pitstop at the Ice House Museum to learn about the island’s history. Fill up your water bottle at the water…
Hike the Nightingale Trail
The Nightingale Trail on the south end of the island is a great place to experience the interior of the maritime forest.
Showing 18 of 25 NPS Things to Do records available for Cumberland Island National Seashore.
Visitor Centers
Mainland Museum
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…
Mainland Visitor Center
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…
Sea Camp Ranger Station
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…
Campgrounds
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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