cumberland-island | GA | Find park

Sand dunes covered with shrubs and grasses

Vegetation holds dunes in place providing a barrier to erosion forces and creating essential interdune meadows to support island life.

Cumberland Island National Seashore encompasses a variety of forest, marsh, and coastal landscapes providing a home for numerous species including American Alligators.

Cumberland Island National Seashore encompasses nearly 18 miles of undeveloped beach offering recreation for visitors and essential nesting area for birds and sea turtles.

large, white mansion behind oak trees draped with Spanish Moss

Visitors can take a guided tour of the Plum Orchard Mansion and experience the luxuries of Victorian high society as well as the effort and ingenuity it took to make it possible.

rippled sands of a beach in front of pine tree covered bluffs

Tidal forces continue to shape the land today as they have for thousands of years forming high bluffs used for fortifications and ship docking throughout the island’s history.

huge oak trees and palm shrubs line a sand road

While visitors to the island cannot bring vehicles, they can travel the historic main park road by foot and bicycle. Some remaining island residents will still drive vehicles on the road to reach their residences as they have for generations.

brick and stone ruins of a large mansion at sunset under colorful clouds

Dugeness was the largest mansion built on the island as part of the Carnegie Estate. Though lost to fire in 1959, the ruins of the mansion and several of its support structures are a reminder of the island’s rich history.

small white one room church, old red house in the background, under cloudy skies

The remote north end of the island is home to the First African Baptist Church and The Settlement, where African American residents were able to purchase their first deeded property on the island at the end of the 1800s.

tidal creek at low tide surrounded by palm and oak trees

Rising tides bring valuable nutrients into tidal creeks, while receding tides remove waste. This makes the tide cycle the beating heart of the island’s tidal creeks, salt marshes, and estuaries.

Physical Address:

113 St. Marys St W

St. Marys, GA 31558

Mailing Address:

101 Wheeler St

St. Marys, GA 31558

contact-details

Phone Number: 9128824336 Voice

Email Address: cuis_info@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person: $15.00

Cumberland Island National Seashore has a per-person entrance fee. This fee is waived for America the Beautiful pass holder plus three adults. Must present pass at time of check-in.

Entrance Passes

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.

park designation:National Seashore

Directions:

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)

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Cumberland Island National Seashore

The park is open 24 hours a day, all year. The island is only accessible by boat. The visitor center, other facilities, ferry operations, and docks for private boats all have separate hours, however; please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere.

Weather Information:

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