Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits

About

Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island, featuring 17 miles of undeveloped beach, maritime forest draped in Spanish moss, tidal creeks, and abundant wildlife including wild horses, deer, alligators, and migratory birds. The island offers a true backcountry experience with no commercial services, vehicle access, or modern conveniences beyond basic campground facilities. Five campgrounds accommodate different experience levels: Sea Camp serves as the most accessible option at just 0.5 miles from the ferry dock, with designated sites, drinking water, restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, and electricity for charging devices. Stafford Beach offers similar amenities 3.5 miles from the dock. The three wilderness campgrounds at Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise, and Brickhill Bluff provide primitive backcountry camping with restrooms but no potable water or campfires allowed. All visitors must take the passenger ferry from St. Marys or arrive by private boat. The ferry does not transport vehicles, and campers must carry or cart all gear to their sites. Reservations are required and available through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance. Maximum stay is seven consecutive nights with six people per individual site.

Directions

From Interstate 95, take Exit 3 and turn east onto Highway 40. Follow signs into Historic St. Marys where Highway 40 becomes Osborne Street. At the waterfront, turn right at the stop sign onto St. Marys Street. The NPS Visitor Center is in the two-story blue building one block down on the left at 113 St. Marys Street West. Park in the Cumberland Island Parking Lot one block west of the Visitor Center, then take the passenger ferry to the island.