Why not bring a beach umbrella? Although, if you wish to drive your car on the beach during peak season in the summer or a holiday weekend, you will have to purchase a permit for $5 from the Flash Foods down the road. September 9, 2020 By Kathleen Walls. * Weather on Cumberland Island is not necessarily the same as weather on St. Mary’s. The warm summer months can make for ideal beach weather, of course. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/georgia/cumberland-island-national-seashore Those who want to experience the trifecta of wildlife, history, and beaches. To see as much as possible, catch the first ferry (9 am departure). I see a handful of campers here and there. Thanks to everyone who replied earlier. You can go back in time, go to the beach or go find a secluded place to call your own on this wilderness island. (Make sure you scroll down for special notes about Brickhill) Put in is at Crooked River State Park . Camera: There are lots of great photography opportunities throughout Cumberland Island. People had so many gnats flying around their heads that they looked like Pig Pen in the Peanuts cartoon. ... or even camp on the island at its campgrounds. Schedule your ferry & camping reservations in advance. The greatest and most lasting value of the Island is its ability to change us. It is this intangible feature that seems to be the most important benefit which Cumberland Island has for its guests. … Both can ruin a visit, so choose your visitation dates depending on what you plan to see and do on the island. Day trippers to the island will definitely want to see Cumberland’s famous Dungeness Ruins and feral horses. May and October can be warm as well, so you might also want to avoid these two months if possible. Access is restricted to 300 people at a time and campers are limited to seven consecutive nights on the island. Those who want to visit the beach and do some swimming have a bit of a conundrum. Camping on Cumberland Island is a wonderful experience, with … Arriving on Cumberland Island in early April. The first time I visited Cumberland was with my dad. Below is a (lengthy!) During busy times of the year (spring and fall, plus all holidays and weekends), you will need to make ferry reservations in advance. For non-swimmers, you want to avoid the heat and the bugs, so it’s a no-brainer as to when to visit. © 2020 Copyright Steven L. Markos. Learn More. PLEASE NOTE: All campers at Sea Camp must return on the 10:15 ferry. The forests and beaches on Cumberland island are out of a fairytale, magical land. The Lands and Legacies Tour is a motorized tour to the north end of Cumberland Island starting at the Sea Camp Ranger Station. ? Cumberland Island National Seashore . So make sure you have a day pack. You can pitch a tent and camp on Cumberland Island for up to seven days and rent a bike on the island at Sea Camp Dock. Cumberland is only reachable by ferry, and no more than 300 people are allowed on the island at any given time. Cumberland Youth Camp is also available to rental groups such as family reunions, church picnics, school or homeschool field trips and so much more. We spent two nights backpacking on Cumberland Island with our 10, 8, and 5 year old. Its popularity is attributed to the fact that it is not only the closest campground to the Sea Camp ferry dock at a half mile, but also because it is one of only two on the island with modern restrooms and showers, albeit cold showers. Day trippers who arrive in the morning are stuck on the island for six hours, and the only escape from the heat is back into the surrounding maritime forest where, you guessed it, the mosquitoes await their next meal. Once you're on the island you'll have over 50 miles of trails and roads to explore. Lands and Legacies Guided Tour. ð± Phone & Waterproofing: Coverage can be spotty, but we received data and phone signal throughout much of our last Cumberland Island visit. For information including ferry schedules and camping reservations visit the National Park Service’s Cumberland Island website here. If you intend to camp on the island, or simply be a daytripper, you should contact the National Park Service for access. Getting to Cumberland Island, Ga. Getting to Cumberland Island is part of the adventure. Sie ist als National Seashore geschützt.. If so, let us know in the comments. Check reviews & prices. You can pit stop at Plum Orchard at the mouth of the Brickhill River after you cross the Cumberland River and the Intercoastal Waterway Online Camping Reservations. On an island with a daily limit of about 300 people, there’s maybe 50 visitors per day on Cumberland throughout the New Year’s holiday shutdown. Fabulous 2 Night Backpacking Trip With Our Kids. Due to the remote nature of the island, hikers in the wilderness should: take time to prepare and pack properly, let a friend or family member know their itinerary, and take responsibility for their own safety. When visiting Cumberland Island National Seashore you are up against two forces of nature for most of the year—heat and bugs. The national seashore's museum will be open this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as a part of the St. Marys Tour Our Town open house. The best time of year to camp on Cumberland Island is in the late fall, winter, or spring. This is primitive camping at it's best. Hike through maritime forests and beautiful beaches. Those who wish to visit the Plum Orchard Mansion without a van tour. The good thing is that the weather should be cool enough that you won’t sweat to death while wearing long-sleeved clothing. For those of you lucky enough to be heading out to this special place, we hope you have a fantastic time roaming around Cumberland Island. ð Towel: If you’re going swimming, you’ll want to dry off. ð Backpack: You’ll need something to carry everything in. I see a handful of campers here and there. Camping and even day visits in the summertime can be uncomfortable with high heat and mosquitos. Kayaking to Cumberland Island, one of Georgia’s outer islands, is a great adventure and destination for a day. One of the guys on the ferry boat told me that he has seen people get off the boat at Cumberland Island and then get right back on to go home due to the extreme heat. Wildlife. There are no shops, stores, or other amenities on the island. How was your trip? Also, the backcountry campsites are closed when hunting is allowed (select weekends from October through January). Cumberland Island National Seashore. With some insect repellent applied before getting off the boat, it doesn’t sound too bad. There is an access fee of $10 for every person over the age of 16 that visits the island. Cumberland Island: From Camping to the Carnegies. Permits are required and are picked up at the Sea Camp Ranger Station. A park Ranger recommended these months for camping, though March through May is actually the busiest season. Explore Cumberland Island National Seashore on Georgia’s southern coast, hiking, camping and backpacking to stunning beaches, among herds of wild horses, through moss-draped, gnarled oak forests, and to the stately ruins of a … Natural Cumberland Island. June, which is one of the park’s busiest months, may not be so bad, but July and August can be brutal. Besides, these months are prime time for mosquitoes. Explore Georgia's Cumberland Island to witness the beauty of natural wilderness and historical intrigue. Cumberland Queen Ferry provides round-trip transportation via concession-operated ferry boats to Cumberland Island National Seashore. You'll need to take a ferry to get to this pristine island. Cumberland Island camping, hiking, and backpacking guide. The best time to visit is mid-March through early June, thus avoiding the heat and the bugs. While traveling the world non-stop for 6 years to 100 countries, we have been on a search for adventure, fun, and value! I am unsure of how long you must vacate Cumberland before staying again. Like Best Time RV on Facebook! While most people take the ferry over, half the adventure of going to Cumberland Island is getting there. Amelia Island is a small island near Fernandina Beach, Florida, and is one of the few places left where you can camp right on the beach for free. Filed Under: Adventures Around the World, Destination Guides, Travel Tips, Travel Tips Around the World Tagged With: North America, USA, Your email address will not be published. Cumberland Island, in the southeastern United States, is the largest of the Sea Islands of Georgia.The long-staple Sea Island cotton was first grown here by a local family, the Millers, who helped Eli Whitney develop the cotton gin. PLEASE NOTE: All campers at Sea Camp must return on the 10:15 ferry. Bike on … With all that said, people come to Cumberland Island National Seashore year-round for all sorts of reasons because not everyone has the flexibility to schedule vacation time around the weather. Those who are less active or less mobile. summary of our recent trip for anyone interested in camping with children: Our family of five just finished a fabulous four day / three night camping trip to Cumberland Island.It was a very memorable experience and deserves a little shout-out to any other families who might be considering such a trip for the first time. During my March visit the gnats were non-existent to very light in certain areas and prevalent in others, particularly around the Sea Camp ferry dock area. Main Attractions: What to See on Cumberland Island, Where to Stay in & around Cumberland Island, Cruising Through Glacier Bay National Park Alaska: A Photo Essay, Amtrak Empire Builder Train Ride Across the US: What It’s Really Like, Those who want to see the most with one day on Cumberland Island, Those who desire in-depth information about the island. If the only time you can get to the island is in August and you want to explore the historic areas, nothing is stopping you. The closest beach is Sea Camp Beach, a half-mile from the Sea Camp ferry dock. Here are a few more travel tips to help plan a visit to Georgia’s Cumberland Island National Seashore. Required fields are marked *. Feral horsesare among the many species of island animal life that you are sure to see on … This includes time on Cumberland plus time spent getting there (driving to St. Marys plus time aboard the ferry). We offer premium guide level fishing spots in all locations available on this site. Visitors get to see both cultural and natural landmarks, including the remains of Robert Stafford’s plantation and cemetery, Plum Orchard Mansion, Cumberland Wharf, the Settlement, and First African Baptist Church. More Cumberland Island Travel Tips. The ferry ride itself takes about 45 minutes each way. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, insect repellant, and wear comfortable walking shoes for an enjoyable visit. To make reservations for camping on the island, please visit this website and make your reservation online. Due to the distance, it is best explored when visitors have more than regular day visit hours - like when camping or private boating. Being that the backcountry campsites are 5 to 10 miles from the Sea Camp ferry dock, the demand is not as great as it is for the Sea Camp Campground, or even the Stafford Campground, so it is very possible to book one during high visitation periods. We dropped our packs at the Ranger Sea Camp station and day hiked two miles south round trip to the Dungeness Ruins. (opens in new window) Follow Best Time RV on … The Ranger told me that just the day before the gnats were out in force and made things miserable. We spent a day and night in Jekyll Island, and then headed to St. Mary’s to catch the ferry early the next morning. What you need is shade, but you don’t really want to resort to the forest. This JOTO waterproof pouch fits all smartphones, so you can bring your phone in the water with you. My second visit was in April, and having had the experience with the gnats in March, I was expecting things to be even worse. Best Time to Go to Cumberland Island. Cumberland Island is a special place that allows only 300 visitors daily. The two campgrounds in Kentucky’s Cumberland Falls State Park are open year-round and can host both tent and RV campers. October, November, March, April, and May are “iffy” months because if the temperature gets over 60°F and no wind is blowing, the gnats are going to eat you alive (mosquito season is in the late spring and summer months). Cumberland Island ist eine der Sea Islands im Atlantik vor der Küste des US-Bundesstaates Georgia.Cumberland Island ist der westlichste Punkt der Atlantikküste der Vereinigten Staaten. Also, it is typically very humid and warm in Sea Camp until at least the middle of October. But towels can add extra weight to your day pack. Sea Camp is the most popular place to camp on Cumberland Island but make your reservation early because these campsites fill up quickly. Greyfield Inn is the sole commercial establishment on Cumberland Island, giving guests an unprecedented opportunity to connect with nature at its most pristine. It is a place of transformation. Day visitors and campers reach the island via the Cumberland Island Ferry from the Cumberland Island Visitors Center in St. Mary’s Georgia and are brought to the Sea Camp Dock where the Cumberland Island National Seashore ranger station is located. Cumberland Youth Camp, located 10 miles west of Clarksville, Tn, offers weekly residiential and day camp during the summer. Read Moreâ¦, Copyright © 2021 Roaming Around the World, The Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist and Packing Tips. We're going to let you in on one of Georgia's best-kept secrets. What do I need with me to check in? A trip to Cumberland Island can satisfy your mind's curiosity with its historical secrets or relax it all together with its tranquil scenery. For a fee of $45, you can take a Lands and Legacies Tour and learn more about the history of the island. Hop the ferry for a day on the unpopulated sands or stay for stargazing at 18-site Sea Camp, which connects to the beach via boardwalk. A jacket miles west of Clarksville, Tn, offers weekly residiential and day during. Camp ferry dock private boats but is well worth the trip, half the adventure extra weight to day! 1 through Nov. 30 must return on the Island ranges from threatened endangered! ’ re going swimming, consider bringing a camera or just use your phone you picnic... Am departure ) magical land over 12 miles from Crooked River State Park the first and you won ’ a! 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best time to camp cumberland island
