Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island is 17.5 miles long and totals 36,415 acres of which 16,850 are marsh, mud flats, and tidal creeks. It is well known for its sea turtles, abundant shore birds, dune fields, maritime forest, salt marshes, and historic structures.

There are four historic districts with uniquely different stories: Dungeness, Stafford, Plum Orchard, and High Point/Half Moon Bluff. There are 20,558 acres of established Wilderness or Potential Wilderness. The National Seashore was established in 1972, to preserve the scenic, scientific, and historical values of the largest and most southerly island off the coast of Georgia. Cumberland Island is also part of the South Atlantic-Carolinian Biosphere Reserve and will be permanently protected in its primitive state. This unspoiled environment once prevalent on all the barrier islands provides a unique opportunity to experience the flora and fauna of a natural coastal ecosystem.

The history of the island spans over four thousand years including native Americans, Spanish missions, English colonial forts, Revolutionary War heroes, Plantation owners, enslaved Africans, and wealthy industrialists of the Gilded Age. A visit to Cumberland is very special, as visitation is limited to about 3OO people per day. This limit was imposed to protect the island's natural environment and historic sites, and to ensure that the visitors who do come have an opportunity to feel the island's solitude, unhurried pace, and spiritual vibrance.

PARK IN PROGRESS

Cumberland Island National Seashore would not have been established in 1972 if most of the island's residents had not banned together with environmental organizations and the Department of the Interior to support its establishment. Their support required sacrifice too, since they would be required to sell their property on Cumberland to the National Park Service.

In exchange for their sacrifice, they sold their property but were granted various rights of use and occupancy. Those rights will expire throughout the next 80 years or so. And about 750 acres remain on Cumberland Island to be purchased.

This arrangement has set up distinctly different users on Cumberland Island. Our ferry visitors must walk. Some visitors may get bicycles to the island by concession charter or private boat and the bicycles may only be used on roads and the beach south of the Wilderness (about Stafford). However, the island residents who have retained rights, their guests, and private property owners may drive vehicles and ride bicycles over the roads and beach with a variety of constraints.

This arrangement is symptomatic of a park in progress. The situation will evolve with time as rights expire or private property is purchased. In the mean time we owe a debt of gratitude to the island residents who support the Seashore's establishment, and we need to respect their private property and right to drive on the island.

VISITATION

About 50,000 visitors per year, the highest during March, April, and May; lowest in January. The best time to visit is October through February when visitation has slacked off and the temperature and humidity are more pleasant.

LOCATION

Camden County, St. Marys, GA

ADDRESS

Cumberland Island NS
P. 0. Box 806
St. Marys, GA 31558

TELEPHONE

(912) 882-4335 -- Reservation Line (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mon-Fri)
(912) 882-4336 -- Information Line ( 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily)

OPERATING HOURS

Visitor Center: Daily 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed December 25.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

Summers (May through September) are hot and humid. Winters are generally short and mild with variable precipitation and occasional "northeasters." Recommend layers of clothing, especially in spring and fall, rain gear, and good walking shoes or light weight hiking boots.

DIRECTIONS

St. Marys, Georgia, is located approximately 8 miles east of Interstate 95, 45 miles south of Brunswick, Georgia and 32 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. Georgia State Road 40 is a direct route from 1-95 to the NPS visitor center in downtown St. Marys on the waterfront.

TRANSPORTATION

To Island: Cumberland Island is located 7 miles east of St. Marys, Georgia, and is accessible by a concession operated passenger ferry. From March 1 through September 30 the ferry departs St. Marys at 9:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., and departs from Cumberland Island at 10:15 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.. Wednesday through Saturday there is a 2:45 p.m. departure from the island. From October 1 through the end of February, the ferry does not run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and there is no 2:45 departure from the island. The ferry does not transport pets, bicycles, or cars. For Reservations call (912) 882-4335.

Small private boats may dock at Sea Camp and larger vessels may anchor off Sea Camp and dock a dinghy. Other than our concession ferry/charter service, all commercial transportation is prohibited.

In Park: Visitors to the island generally walk throughout the island. Bicycles are permitted on the island, from the south end up to the wilderness boundary north of Stafford. Visitors may encounter vehicles on the island. The island residents and their guests are permitted to drive vehicles on historic roadways. Park operations also require vehicles. Special programs may include van transportation on the island.

FEES, COSTS, RATES

Ferry tickets are round-trip and include sales tax:

Adults $10.17

Senior Citizens (65 and older) $8.03

Children (12 and under) $6.05

Plum Orchard 1st Sunday of month additional $6.42.

Annual passes and Golden Passports do not apply to ferry ticket charges.

Day Use Fees/Camping Fees

Effective October 1, 1997 fees to be collected are as follows:

Day Use Fee $4.00 per person/per visit

Sea Camp Campground $4.00 per person/per day

Back Country Camping $2.00 per person/per day

Annual Day Use Permit $20.00 person

Persons camping will also be required to purchase a day use permit.

No day use charged for children 2 years and younger. The Golden Age Passport allows the passport holder half price for day use fees.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

St. Marys -- Mainland Visitor Information Center

St. Marys -- Museum opening in early 2000

Cumberland Island -- Ice House Museum and Sea Camp Visitor Center

Trails, Roadways

Miles of hiking trails dot the entire island that is approximately 17.5 miles long and 1.5 to 3 miles wide. A single-lane, dirt road runs north and south the length of the island. Self-guiding trail maps are available at both docking areas for the Dungeness historic district and Nightingale Trail maritime forest walk.

Programs, Activities

Regularly scheduled ranger-guided walks are available year round. Educational programs for schools are given throughout the school year. Reservations required.

All camping is limited to seven days. Campers may choose between one developed and four primitive backcountry sites. The developed campground at Sea Camp Beach has rest rooms, cold showers, and drinking water. Each campsite has a grill, fire ring, food cage, and picnic table. There are no facilities in the backcountry sites and water should be treated. Campfires are not permitted in the backcountry and portable stoves are suggested. Backcountry sites range from 3.5 to 10.8 miles from the ferry dock. Reservations are required.

Tours of historic Plum Orchard Mansion are offered the 1st Sunday of every month when the ferry makes a special trip there for an additional $6 charge. Transportation by van for tours of historic Plum Orchard Mansion is offered Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Reservations are required. They depart and return to Dungeness and Sea Camp. A similar program is offered the 2nd Friday of each month to the Settlement.

Food, Supplies

There are rest rooms and drinking water in four locations on the south end of the island, but there are no stores or restaurants. Visitors must take whatever they need with them. Insect repellent, sun screen, water containers, and rain gear recommended.

Other concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities

The Park book store, operated by Eastern National and NPS, is located in the Mainland Visitor Information Center in St. Marys, Georgia. A wide variety of books pertaining to the flora and fauna of coastal ecosystems and cultural history is available.

Accessibility

Two specially designed beach wheelchairs are available. Call in advance to reserve them.

Special Needs

Parking for ferry passengers is available one block west of the Park Mainland Visitor Center in St. Marys.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE

Greyfield Inn

On a private holding the Greyfield Inn offers up scale accommodations. Information/reservations at 904-261-6408.

Other Activities

Guided programs, hiking, birding, visiting historic sites, shelling, fishing, camping, picnicking, swimming, and sightseeing.

For information on archeology, visit SEAC

RESERVATIONS FOR CAMPING OR DAY TRIPS

Reservations for camping or day trips are required and may be made up to six months in advance. Please call the reservation line at (912)882-4335 Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Faxed in reservations are accepted 24 hours a day at (912)673-7747. A copy of our fax form is required to fax in your reservation. This form may be requested by fax, by calling the reservation line, or you may print your own.

Permits For Organized Activities/Special Programs:

Request for special programs should be made in writing one month in advance. Organized activities require a permit. For additional information call (912)882-3891 or (912)258-3211.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS

A minimum of four hours is recommended to visit the natural habitats and historic district on the south end of the island.

Two to seven days camping or backpacking are recommended to visit more of the park areas and hike the trails.

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS

September -- International Coastal Clean-up

October - January -- Managed hunts for deer and hogs. Contact us mid-Summer for dates and details.

December -- Christmas Bird Count

Call the Park for specific dates and times at (912)882-4336.

VISITOR IMPACTS

Information on park closing due to weather, hunting, or funding are posted at the Mainland Visitor Center in St. Marys.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

Okefenokee Swamp, NWR; Fort Caroline and Timmucuan Preserve; Fort Frederica NM; and Jekyll Island (all less than an hour drive).

Cumberland Island National Seashore is one of the sites featured in Along the Georgia/Florida Coast, a travel itinerary from the National Register of Historic Places that explores America's past through visits to historic places.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cumberland Island N. S.
P. O. Box 806
St. Marys, GA 31558

(912) 882-4336
cuis_information@nps.gov