A Complete Guide to Visiting Cumberland Island, 2025

How to Explore Cumberland Island: Top Sights & Travel Tips

Nestled off the southern coast of Georgia, Cumberland Island is a secret sanctuary for adventurers, nature lovers, and history buffs alike. As Georgia’s largest barrier island, it's a rare slice of the American South where wild horses roam, salt marshes shimmer under the sun, and Gilded Age ruins whisper stories of a bygone era. With no bridges, no cars, and only a limited number of visitors allowed each day, Cumberland Island is the ultimate escape into raw, untamed beauty. Here are the top 10 things you absolutely must do when you make your way to this enchanting island.

🧭 How to Get to Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island is accessible only by ferry from the charming town of St. Marys, Georgia. Here's how to make your way there:

• By Car: Drive to St. Marys, located about 45 minutes north of Jacksonville, Florida, or 1.5 hours south of Savannah, Georgia.
• By Air: The closest major airport is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). From there, rent a car or use a rideshare to reach St. Marys.
• By Ferry: Book your Cumberland Island Ferry tickets in advance (especially during peak seasons). Ferries depart from the Cumberland Island National Seashore Visitor Center and the ride takes about 45 minutes.

📝 Tip: Visitor capacity is limited daily, so make ferry reservations early via cumberlandislandferry.com.

🚶‍♀️ Getting Around the Island

Once on the island, be prepared to disconnect and explore on foot or by bike—there are no cars or public transportation.

• Walking: Most major sites, including Dungeness Ruins and the beach, are within walking distance of the Sea Camp ferry dock.
• Biking: Bring your own bike on the ferry or rent one in St. Marys to explore the longer trails and Plum Orchard Mansion (8+ miles away).
• Ranger-led Tours: Available seasonally for historic sites like Plum Orchard and the Settlement. Check at the visitor center for schedules.

🏕️ Where to Stay on Cumberland Island

There are no hotels on the island, so overnight guests have two options:

1. Camping

• Sea Camp Campground: Closest to the ferry dock, with restrooms, showers, and picnic tables.
• Wilderness Sites: Stafford, Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise, and Brickhill Bluff offer backcountry camping for a more remote experience.

📝 Camping permits and ferry tickets must be booked ahead through the National Park Service.

2. Greyfield Inn

For those wanting rustic luxury, Greyfield Inn is the only commercial lodging on the island. Built by the Carnegie family in 1900, it offers elegant rooms, gourmet meals, and guided naturalist tours. Guests also get exclusive use of bikes and kayaks.

🍽️ Where to Eat

There are no restaurants or stores on the island, so come prepared. Here’s what to do:

• Pack Your Own Food: Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. There are picnic tables near the Sea Camp area and Dungeness.
• Greyfield Inn Dining: If you’re staying at the Inn, you’ll enjoy full-service Southern cuisine with ingredients sourced locally or grown on the estate.
• Before/After Your Trip: Enjoy a meal in St. Marys before catching the ferry. Some local favorites:
  • Cedar Oak Café: Great for coffee, breakfast, and sandwiches.
  • Riverside Café: Laid-back spot for seafood and Southern classics.
  • Lang’s Marina Restaurant: Fresh shrimp, crab cakes, and water views.

🌿 Top 10 Things to Do on Cumberland Island

1. Start Your Journey at the Visitor Center

Before setting foot on the island, begin your adventure at the Cumberland Island National Seashore Visitor Center in St. Marys, Georgia. This is more than a checkpoint—it's a portal to the island’s soul. Chat with rangers, grab trail maps, and get the scoop on tide schedules, wildlife sightings, and historical insights. The ferry departs just a short walk away, setting the tone for your off-grid island journey.

2. Explore the Dungeness Ruins

Cumberland’s past comes alive at the hauntingly beautiful Dungeness Ruins, remnants of a lavish mansion built by Thomas Carnegie in the 1880s. Towering brick chimneys and ivy-covered walls rise from the grasslands, offering a dramatic contrast to the wild horses that often roam nearby. It’s a surreal scene—equal parts nature and nostalgia—that will leave your imagination running wild.

3. Stroll the Island’s Pristine Beaches

Trade traffic noise for the sound of crashing waves on Cumberland Island’s untouched beaches. These broad stretches of sand are perfect for everything from sunrise strolls and seashell hunts to quiet moments of reflection. With 17 miles of coastline, you’re more likely to cross paths with ghost crabs than other people. Paradise, unfiltered.

4. Hike the Island’s Scenic Trails

Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a casual hiker, Cumberland offers trails for every pace. The River Trail meanders along the marshy banks of the Cumberland River, while the Parallel Trail cuts through dense maritime forests draped in Spanish moss. Look out for armadillos, osprey, and even bobcats if you're lucky. Every step is a brush with the wild.

5. Step into the Past at Plum Orchard Mansion

Travel back in time with a guided tour of Plum Orchard, an elegant Georgian Revival mansion built in 1898 by Lucy Carnegie for her son. The tour is a window into the lavish lifestyle of the Carnegie family, complete with original furnishings, a vintage squash court, and tales of the Gilded Age’s Southern elite. It’s Downton Abbey, with a coastal twist.

6. Go Wildlife Watching

From dolphins off the coast to feral pigs rustling in the underbrush, Cumberland Island is a wildlife wonderland. But the stars of the show? The wild horses. Believed to be descendants of Spanish mustangs, these graceful animals roam freely through the dunes, meadows, and forests. Also keep an eye out for loggerhead sea turtles, bald eagles, and over 300 species of birds.

7. Paddle Through Serene Waters

For a peaceful change of pace, rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the island’s creeks and marshes. Glide silently past egrets and herons, and feel your stress melt away as the sun dances on the water. It’s an intimate way to engage with the island’s coastal ecosystems—and it might just be the highlight of your trip.

8. Camp Beneath the Stars

Swap hotel walls for the whisper of the wind through trees at one of Cumberland Island’s designated campgrounds. From beachside sites to forest clearings, the camping experience here is as raw as it gets. There's no electricity or cell service—just you, a tent, and the stars. Wake to birdcalls and the scent of salt air. It’s nature at its purest.

9. Cycle Through Forest Trails

Bring your own bike or rent one at the island and set out along Cumberland’s sandy paths and shaded trails. Biking is the perfect way to cover more ground and still move at your own rhythm. The roads are flat and scenic, making this a gentle yet exhilarating way to see the island’s diverse terrain.

10. Marvel at the Wild Horses

No trip to Cumberland is complete without encountering the island’s iconic wild horses. Whether you see them trotting along the beach at dawn or grazing quietly near the ruins, these majestic creatures capture the wild heart of the island. Keep a respectful distance, but don’t be shy with your camera—this is the memory you’ll want to relive again and again.

✨ Tips for Your Travel to Cumberland Island

To make the most of your Cumberland Island adventure, here are some essential tips and insider insights to keep your trip smooth, enjoyable, and unforgettable:

🎟️ Book Everything in Advance

• Ferry tickets and camping permits sell out quickly, especially during weekends, holidays, and spring/fall seasons.
• If you plan to tour Plum Orchard Mansion, check with park rangers or the visitor center for current tour availability—some require sign-up upon arrival.

🧳 Pack Smart and Light

• There are no stores, vending machines, or restaurants on the island, so bring everything you’ll need: water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen, bug spray, and a first aid kit.
• Use a backpack or soft cooler—you’ll be walking or biking a lot, and rolling luggage won’t survive sandy trails.

🌿 Prepare for the Elements

• Bug spray is a must, especially in the warmer months when mosquitoes and gnats are active.
• Wear lightweight, breathable clothing and good walking shoes. Long sleeves and pants can help protect against sun and insects.
• Weather can change quickly, so pack a poncho or light rain jacket just in case.

🚫 Leave No Trace

• Cumberland Island is a protected national seashore, so follow Leave No Trace principles: pack out all trash, stay on trails, and don’t disturb wildlife.
• Keep a respectful distance from wild horses—it’s illegal to feed or approach them.

📷 Bring a Camera or Binoculars

• Whether it’s wild horse encounters, breathtaking scenery, or migrating birds, Cumberland Island is a photographer’s dream. A good zoom lens or binoculars will elevate your wildlife viewing experience.

🌙 Plan Your Ferry Return Time Wisely

• If you're not staying overnight, be sure to track time closely to avoid missing the last ferry back to St. Marys. There’s no way off the island after the final departure.

Cumberland Island isn’t just a place—it’s an experience that speaks to the soul. Whether you're chasing history, seeking solitude, or looking for your next wild encounter, this secluded Georgia gem delivers in spades. So pack light, tread gently, and let Cumberland Island reveal its magic, one sandy step at a time.