National park · United States
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Book the ferry before anything else: it caps daily visitors, so the island feels empty even in July. Day trip = 4–5 h ashore; overnight = the only way to see the north end.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
147 km² (57 sq mi)57 sq mi (147 km²)
approximate
Established
1972
Best months
Mar–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 147 km² (57 sq mi)57 sq mi (147 km²)
- About 147 km² (36,415 acres) of island, beach and marsh; the seashore boundary includes most of the island plus small offshore areas (check).
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a barrier island off St. Marys, Georgia, reached only by a concessioner ferry that caps how many people land each day — which is why 17 miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach, live-oak forest and salt marsh feel empty even in high summer. The south end holds the Dungeness ruins, the ranger station and Sea Camp; the north end holds Plum Orchard, the Settlement and the quietest beach, and is realistically seen only by van tour or by staying overnight. No cars, no shops, no road onto the island: you walk or cycle, carry your own water, and leave on the sailing you booked.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1972National Seashore; the island also holds a National Historic District around Dungeness and the Plum Orchard area.
- Ramsar wetlandThe island's salt marsh and estuary sit within the wider Georgia coastal wetland system (check).
Size and age
147 km² (57 sq mi)57 sq mi (147 km²) · national park since 1972
About 147 km² (36,415 acres) of island, beach and marsh; the seashore boundary includes most of the island plus small offshore areas (check).
Why go
- 17 miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach — no cars, no shops, no boardwalk.
- Wild horses, armadillos and shorebirds on the same walk.
- Dungeness ruins: a Gilded Age mansion swallowed by live oak and palmetto.
- The ferry limit keeps crowds low; you can walk a mile of beach and see nobody.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, quiet; 12–17 °C (54–63 °F)Cool, quiet; 54–63 °F (12–17 °C)
- FebMild, few visitors
- MarWarm, dry, wildflowers
- AprBest all-round; 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)Best all-round; 72–81 °F (22–27 °C)
- MayWarm sea, long days
- JunHot and humid; afternoon storms
- JulPeak heat, mosquitoes, ferry books out
- AugHottest; hurricane season
- SepStorm risk; still hot
- OctDry, clear, comfortable
- NovCool and quiet
- DecMild days, cold nights
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feral horsesAll year · Present year-round; keep distance, they bite and kick. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Armadillos and white-tailed deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Loggerhead sea turtles nestingMay–Aug · Nests on the beach; do not approach or use lights at night. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Shorebirds and migrating warblersMar–Apr, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mosquitoes and ticksMay–Sep · Worst in the maritime forest; long sleeves and repellent. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From St. Marys, Georgia
Ferry from the St. Marys waterfront; park at the ferry lot in town and walk on.
45 min
From Jacksonville, FL
Drive I-95 north to St. Marys, about 40 min from the airport.
45 min–1 h
From Savannah
Drive I-95 south to St. Marys.
2 h
From Coastal Georgia plan
Where Cumberland fits with Jekyll, St. Simons and the Okefenokee.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| St. Marys waterfront | Mainland ferry dock, visitor centre and the only place to buy a ticket on the day. | Open daily; ferry by reservation. |
| Sea Camp and Dungeness | South end: dock, ranger station, campground and the Dungeness ruins walk. | Open to all ferry arrivals. |
| Plum Orchard | 1900s mansion on the west side, reached by the van tour or a long ride. | Van tour only, or a 10-mile ride (check). |
| North end and Greyfield | Greyfield Inn, the Settlement and the quieter beach. | Van tour, inn guests, or a long walk at low tide. |
Sketch map
- 1St. Marys ferry dock · Ranger station≈30.721, -81.546Map ↗
- 2Sea Camp dock and ranger station · Headquarters≈30.762, -81.466Map ↗
- 3Dungeness ruins · Village≈30.748, -81.471Map ↗
- 4Plum Orchard · Village≈30.858, -81.467Map ↗
- 5Greyfield Inn · Sleep≈30.783, -81.467Map ↗
- 6North end beach · Beach≈30.900, -81.440Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the island from the St. Marys dock to the north end, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee (7 days) | US$10 | person | 2026 estimate; charged with the ferry booking. Children under 16 free (check). |
| Round-trip ferry, St. Marys to Cumberland Island | US$38–40 | person | 2026 estimate; mandatory — no private landing without a permit. |
| Camping, Sea Camp or Stafford | US$12–22 | person per night | 2026 estimate; plus the ferry and entrance fee. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers the entrance fee, not the ferry. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Ferry reservation permit or guide
Camping permit permit or guide
Plum Orchard tour permit or guide
North end / Greyfield access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10
- US$38–40
- US$12–22
- US$80
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Cumberland Island fees and reservations before you go.
Park rules
- No cars
- Vehicles stay on the mainland; the island is walked or cycled.
- Bikes
- Allowed on the main sand roads but not on the beach or trails; bring your own or rent in St. Marys (check).
- Horses
- Do not feed, touch or chase them; stay at least 50 ft away and give them the right of way.
- Leave no trace
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins outside Sea Camp.
- Fires
- Only in provided rings at Sea Camp and Stafford; no fires on the beach or in the wilderness.
- Drones
- Not allowed anywhere in the seashore.check
Where to stay
In the park
Sea Camp campground
Shaded sites with water, cold showers and flush toilets, a short walk from the dock.
In the park
Stafford Beach campsites
Further north on the beach; no water, pack everything in.
In the park
Wilderness sites
Primitive sites on the north end; permit and a long walk required.
In the park
Greyfield Inn
The only hotel on the island, reached by its own boat from Fernandina Beach.
Near the park
St. Marys
Inns and chain hotels a walk from the ferry dock; the usual base for a day trip.
Safety
Heat and no shade on the beach medium
Ticks and mosquitoes medium
Horses medium
Tides and storms medium
Missing the last ferry high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The ferry and the Sea Camp dock area are usable with a wheelchair; the dock ramp is tide-dependent (check).
- The Dungeness walk is flat sand and can be done with a sturdy wheelchair or mobility scooter in dry weather.
- The beach and the north-end trails are soft sand and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps — the island has no rubbish collection outside Sea Camp.
- Stay off the dunes and out of the turtle nests; the beach is a nesting ground from May to August.
- Book the ferry early so the concessioner can plan boat capacity rather than adding trips.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cumberland Island National Seashore?
The entrance fee is about US$10 per person for 7 days (2026 estimate), charged when you book the ferry. The round-trip ferry from St. Marys is about US$38–40 per person and is mandatory — there is no road onto the island. Camping adds about US$12–22 per person per night. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers the entrance fee but not the ferry.
What are the best hikes in Cumberland Island National Seashore?
The Dungeness ruins walk (1.5–2 h, flat) is the best short walk. The River to Sea loop (2–3 h) adds forest and beach. The long beach walk to the north end is about 17 miles of open sand with no shade or water — do it only as far as you can comfortably return. Plum Orchard is reached by van tour, not on foot.
When is the best time to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore?
March to May and October are the best months: warm, dry and comfortable, with fewer mosquitoes. June to September is hot and humid with afternoon storms and hurricane risk, and the ferry sells out. Winter is mild and quiet but the sea is cold.
Do I need a reservation for the ferry?
Yes. The ferry is the only public way onto the island and seats are limited. Summer weekends and holidays sell out weeks ahead; book online or by phone with the park concessioner as soon as you have dates.
Can I see the wild horses?
Yes, they roam the beach, the ruins lawn and the forest. Keep at least 50 ft away, never feed or touch them, and do not leave food or bags unattended. They are feral animals, not a petting zoo.
Is there anywhere to stay on the island?
Sea Camp has shaded campsites with water and cold showers; Stafford and the wilderness sites are more primitive. Greyfield Inn is the only hotel and is reached by its own boat. Most visitors sleep in St. Marys on the mainland.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go