Cumberland Island National Seashore
Protected park · GA, USA
Cumberland Island National Seashore in GA, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Quick answers
- Is there a nursing room or baby care at Cumberland Island National Seashore?
- Mapped for this park: 1 changing table. Details
- When is the best time to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore?
- By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are March, April, and November. Details
- How much does it cost to get in?
- Published entrance fee: $15 per person. Details
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man and nature. Natives, missionaries, enslaved African Americans and Wealthy Industrialists all walked here. Cumberland Island is also home to over 9,800 acres of Congressionally designated Wilderness.
This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Wheelchair-accessible facilities, Restrooms, Visitor center, Showers, Store / concessions, Drinking water.
Nursing and baby care
Mapped for this park: 1 changing table.
- Mainland Museum
When is the best time to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are March, April, and November.
The weather works against it in August.
The warmest month is July, with average highs near 85°F (29°C); the coolest is January, near 60°F (16°C).
August is the wettest month, with about 6.6 in (168 mm) of precipitation in a typical August.
Getting in to Cumberland Island National Seashore: fees and parking
Published entrance fee: $15 per person.
Official facts
The Forest Service rates the wildfire hazard potential at Cumberland Island National Seashore's mapped point very low (2023 map); that is a measure of the land, not a forecast.
Protected waters: 147 km². None of it is no-take.
Boating: Vessel use restricted; anchoring unrestricted.
Fishing: Commercial and Recreational Fishing Restricted.
Conservation focus: Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage. Protects the whole ecosystem. Site-Specific Management Plan.
IUCN category: V (Protected landscape or seascape).
Protection level: Uniform Multiple Use.
Marine protection: National Seashore. Listed as "Cumberland Island National Seashore" in NOAA's Marine Protected Areas Inventory, managed by National Park Service, established 1972.
Public access: Open access.
Protected area: 19,044 acres (7,707 ha).
Designation: National Seashore. Listed as "Cumberland Island National Seashore" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.
Established: 1972.
Managed by: NPS.
Marsh or swamp: Johnson Pond. 8 ha of water, mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.
At the park
- Biking
- Camping
- Hunting
- Yankee Paradise
- Beaches
- Wildlife & bird watching
Shows and experiences
- Ranger & guided programs
What's on at Cumberland Island National Seashore
The park's own calendar lists ten dated events from December 1, 2026 to January 29, 2027, five different events in all.
December 2026 is the busiest month, with six events.
Two of the six one-day events fall on a weekend; Friday has the most, with three.
Plum Orchard House Tour is held on five dates and Modern Weapons Managed Hunt is held on two dates.
By kind, the calendar holds six regular events.
Most listed start times are in the afternoon, from 11 am to 2 pm.
Five events need a separate ticket and four events ask you to register ahead.
Events
- Primitive Weapons Managed Hunt
- Plum Orchard House Tour
- Plum Orchard Christmas
- Adult/Child Managed Hunt
- Modern Weapons Managed Hunt
Before you go
- Disability access
- This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.
- Limits
- Reservations are required through All Terrain Georgia at least two weeks prior to your island trip
- Limits
- Pets are permitted on the island but must be on leash and must be transported by private boat as they are not permitted on the ferry
- Limits
- Drones are prohibited in National Park Service sites
- Getting there
- Cumberland Island is only accessible by ferry or private boat. These directions are to the mainland visitor center in St. Marys, GA. Driving Directions To reach the visitor center from Interstate 95: •Take Exit 3 for US 40 •Take US 40 East toward “Historic Downtown St. Marys” •US 40 becomes Osborne Rd. Continue on until you reach the waterfront •Turn right on St. Marys Rd •The visitor center will be two blocks down on your left (113 St. Marys St W, St Marys GA 31558)
- Weather & when to go
- Cumberland Island’s climate is hot and humid during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's (>26 C) and mild during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 60's (<20 C). The warmest month of the year is July with an average high of 90 degrees F (32 C), while the coldest is January with an average low of 45 degrees F (44 C). Visit the Current Conditions page for an up-to-date local forecast: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/conditions.htm#weather
- Park alert: Ongoing Road Repair on Main Road
- Ongoing road work will be taking place throughout the Main Road on the island. Expect potentially heavier vehicle traffic and areas of uneven terrain. Please yield to construction traffic. Be aware of approaching traffic both in front as well as from behind.
- ⚠ Caution: Scam Warning - Book ferry tickets through concessioner site only
- Valid ferry tickets can only be purchased through the website www.cumberlandislandferry.com. Check site carefully before purchasing. Only valid tickets will be honored.
- Park alert: Mainland Museum Closure
- The Cumberland Island Museum will be closed for an extended period due to roof leakages. We apologize for any inconvenience but look forward to reopening to you in the future.
- Visitor center
- Mainland Museum — The Mainland Museum is open 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM daily dependent on staffing. The park relies on dedicated Volunteers to provide staffing for the museum. Occasional closures can result on short notice due to a lack of staffing. — To reach the museum from Interstate 95: •Take Exit 3 for US 40 •Take US 40 East toward “Historic Downtown St. Marys” •US 40 becomes Osborne Rd. •The Mainland Museum will be on the right, one block north of the waterfront. (129 Osborne Rd, St Marys GA 31558)
- Visitor center
- Mainland Museum
- Visitor center
- Mainland Museum
- Visitor center
- Mainland Museum
- Visitor center
- Mainland Visitor Center — The visitor center at the waterfront in St. Marys is open daily 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Park facilities are closed on December 25. — To reach the visitor center from Interstate 95: •Take Exit 3 for US 40 •Take US 40 East toward “Historic Downtown St. Marys” •US 40 becomes Osborne Rd. Continue on until you reach the waterfront •Turn right on St. Marys Rd •The visitor center will be two blocks down on your left (113 St. Marys St W, St Marys GA 31558)
- Visitor center
- Mainland Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Mainland Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Mainland Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Sea Camp Ranger Station — Located at the Sea Camp Dock on Cumberland Island. The visitor center may be closed for short periods throughout the day as volunteers and rangers are tending to other duties. — Located at the end of the Sea Camp Dock on Cumberland Island National Seashore. The island is only accessible by boat.
- Visitor center
- Sea Camp Ranger Station
- Visitor center
- Sea Camp Ranger Station
- Visitor center
- Sea Camp Ranger Station
Facilities on the park map
6 benches, 1 changing table, 2 defibrillators, 5 picnic areas, 15 restrooms, 13 visitor information, 6 water fountains.
Where to stay
- Brickhill Bluff Wilderness Campsite
- Hickory Hill Wilderness Campsite
- Sea Camp Campground
- Stafford Beach Campground
- Yankee Paradise Wilderness Campsite