Frequently Asked Questions – Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island is 18 miles long, which means that for most people it is not walkable in one day. Most visitors choose to focus on one part of the island, such as Sea Camp (the location of campsites and hikes) or the Dungeness area, where the Gilded Aged Carnegie ruins are located. To cover the entire island, visitors may choose to bring their own bikes or take a van tour, which covers all of the island except for Dungeness.

No. The only way to reach the island is by ferry from St. Marys, Georgia.

$10. This ticket lasts one week.

You may also purchase a $40 Cumberland Island Annual Pass, which allows you to bring 3 guests for free. The American the Beautiful annual pass is also valid at Cumberland Island National Seashore.

The ferry departs from St. Marys, Georgia. It only travels between Cumberland and St. Marys.

The ferry runs daily from March 1 through November 30 and has two departures from St. Marys at 9:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. From December 1 through February 28, the ferry does not run on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

From Cumberland Island, the ferry departs daily at 10:15 and 4:45 p.m. From March 1 through September 30, there is an additional departure at 2:45 p.m. (from Monday through Saturday).

Find more information here.

The ferry costs $40 round-trip plus tax for one adult. There are discounts for seniors and children. Find more details and information on private charters here.

The only ways to navigate the island are by foot or bike.

The Lands and Legacies van tour is the only way to explore the island in a motorized vehicle.

This depends upon the tour you choose. There are a few tour options:

Ranger-led Foodsteps Tour: Offered when staff is available, free ranger-led tours begin at the Dungeness Dock at the arrival of the ferry at 10:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Over about an hour and covering a mile, this tour explores the Dungeness Historic District. Call ahead to verify this tour is offered the day of your visit.

Cumberland Island Walking Tour: This walking tour, offered by Molly's Old South Tours, is Cumberland Island’s only regularly-offered tour covering the Dungeness Historic Area. On this tour, explore the evocative Carnegie mansion ruins, a historic marsh-front cemetery, Carnegie-era servants’ buildings, and more as you stroll down palmetto-lined trails past wild horses and expansive marshes.

Lands and Legacies Tour: This van tour is for those who do not wish to walk or who want to see the entire island. Visit Plum Orchard, the First African Baptist Church where John Kennedy, Jr., was married, and more. A visit to the Dungeness Historic District is not included.

Touring the island on your own is another option. You can explore and hike anywhere from a couple of hours to all day to several days (while camping on the island). With an abundance of historic ruins, scenic trails, enchanting wildlife, and welcoming white-sand beach, there are countless possibilities for recreation.

Although they may be seen throughout the island, an especially popular spot for the wild horses to congregate is around the Dungeness ruins on the south side of the island.

Yes. There are fountains with potable water at Sea Camp Ranger Station, Dungeness Dock, and the Laundry Building at Dungeness. Water sources north of Sea Camp other than at Plum Orchard - are not potable and must be treated before consumption.

No, there are no restaurants. You must bring all drinks and food with you.

Yes. There are bathrooms at Sea Camp and Dungeness Docks, at Sea Camp Campground, and at the historic Laundry Building at Dungeness.

Yes. The ferry to the island has two daily departures from St. Marys at 9:00 and 11:45 a.m. It returns at 2:45 (from March through September) and 4:45 (year-round).

Visitors to the island have the option to visit only for the day or camp overnight (as long as they have booked ahead a campsite through the National Park Service).

There are many activities visitors can enjoy on the island.

1. Hike
2. Bike
3. Visit the beach
4. Take an island tour
5. Tour historic Plum Orchard
6. Go birding
7. Hunt for seashells and sharks' teeth
8. Kayak

For a complete list of activities, visit this website.

Due to Southeast Georgia's temperate climate, Cumberland Island can be enjoyed year-round.

Cumberland Island is most crowded when the temperature is optimal, especially in late September and October, March and April. Avoiding visiting the park during these months means you have a greater chance of getting the park to yourself.

Cooler winter temperatures (in December, January, and February) mean that bugs, which may be a problem in warmer months, are at a minimum. Simply pack a jacket to guard against the cold.

In summer the island can get very hot and humid, but the white sand beach could make a warm-weather visit the island very pleasant.

Yes! For those interested in history and nature, Cumberland Island with its maritime forests, pristine marshland, undeveloped white-sand beaches, and breathtaking Gilded Aged architectural ruins (not to mention its famous wild horses) makes for a rewarding visit.