Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits

Overview

Whether you are looking to spend a night with family and friends around a campfire under the moss covered branches of the live oak trees, or looking for the rugged challenges and solitude of the wilderness, you will find it on Cumberland Island National Seashore. The park includes a designated Wilderness area, undeveloped beaches, historic sites, cultural ruins, critical habitat and nesting areas, as well as numerous plant and animal communities. The national seashore also offers a wide variety of camping opportunities.

Watch the "Camping on Cumberland Island" video for information to help you plan an d prepare for your trip.

Campgrounds

Cumberland Island offers five campgrounds , which include designated campsites at Sea Camp and Stafford Beach; and Wilderness campsites at: Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise and Brickhill Bluff. Camping is only permitted in these five campgrounds. A permit is required to camp in any of these five camping areas.

Getting There

Visitors must take a boat to the island. Most visitors arrive via the Cumberland Island Ferry from St. Marys, Georgia (see Park Concessioner Services below).

• The ferry does not transport automobiles or RVs.

• Check the ferry schedule prior to reserving your Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permit unless you are traveling by private boat.

• The ferry does not operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December through February.

Island Information

• Cumberland Island is 18 miles (29 km) long and .5 miles (.8 km) to 3 miles (5 km) wide.

• Bring your cell phone if possible. Use airplane mode to reserve battery power. There is electricity at the Sea Camp Ranger Station, Sea Camp Campground, and Stafford Beach Campground for recharging devices.

• Dial 911 to report emergencies and disturbances.

• There are no stores, restaurants or other amenities on the island.

• After arriving on the island, campers must hike, walk or bike from the dock to the campgrounds and transport all gear. There is no transporation service. The distance ranges from .5 miles (.8 km) to Sea Camp to 10.5 miles (17 km) to Brickhill Bluff.

• Carts of any kind and wheeled coolers are not allowed north of Sea Camp Campground.

• Hammocks permitted only with hammock stands. New for 2021. See Superintendent's Compendium

• Be prepared for extreme weather, sun exposure, and a variety of insects. Ticks, no see-ums, and mosquitoes are prevalent during summer months; protect yourself accordingly.

• Understand your limitations; the island has no conveniences; be prepared for a remote setting and a harsh environment.

Bicycle and Carts

For information on using carts and camping with bicycles visit the Cumberland Island Camping Page

For information on bicycle and cart rentals, as well as transporting your bike to the island visit Cumberland Island Ferry webpage .

Ferry Reservations, Bicycle and Cart Rental, and Tour Reservations - Contact: Cumberland Island Ferry at www.cumberlandislandferry.com or call (877) 860-6787.

Cumberland Island Ferry passengers must check-in at the Cumberland Island Mainland Visitor Center in Saint Marys at least 30 minutes prior to their ferry departure time: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/be-ready.htm

Campers must deboard the ferry at the Sea Camp Dock (not at the Dungeness Dock).

Recreation

There are over 50 miles of trails and roads as well as 18 miles of beach. Hiking, biking, camping, birdwatching, and beachcombing are popular activities on the island. Facilities

There are no amenities on the island beyond the restrooms and water fountains. You should bring lunch and water bottles to refill. Be Ready! Natural Features

The island is home to more than 17 miles of undeveloped beach, a maritime forest of oak hammock and long leaf pine, tidal creeks, and marshland. Visitors can see an abundance of wildlife from deer, turkey, alligators, and bobcats, to snakes, tortoises, lizards, and hundreds of migratory birds. Nearby Attractions

City of St. Marys, GA - St. Marys, Georgia, the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, a small coastal village located in southeast Georgia remains one of Georgia's best kept secrets, a place rich in history, natural beauty and Southern hospitality. St. Marys and Cumberland Island National Seashore provide a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - In southern Georgia and northern Florida there is a very special place, one of the oldest and best preserved freshwater systems in America. Native Americans called it Okefenoka, meaning “Land of the Trembling Earth”. Now this place, where earth, air, fire and water continuously reform the landscape, is preserved within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1937 to protect wildlife and for you to explore.

St. Marys Submarine Museum - This museum is a great place to learn about the "Silent Service". A wide…

Managed by a US federal agency. Data source: ridb.recreation.gov.