Cumberland Island
Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island
About
Cumberland Island is a beautiful, unspoiled island off the coast of southern Georgia. It is rich in history, but has pristine forests, marshes and beaches. Most of the island is owned by the National Park Service, with over 9800 acres of wilderness. It is only accessible by water, so you would have to take your own private boat there, or schedule to take the National Seashore ferry from St Marys, Ga.
History
The first inhabitants were indigenous peoples who settled there as early as 4,000 years ago. They were part of the Mocama, a Timucua group. Native Americans inhabited the island for thousands of years, and were present when Europeans first arrived.
In the 1500’s and 1600’s, the Spanish established forts and colonies on the island. In the 1700’s the English laid claim to the island, and moved in. Plantations were established, and cottom became a major crop grown on the island.
In the late 1800’s the Carnegie family owned most of the island, and built a large mansion, and several smaller estates for their children and other family members. The Great Depression ended most of their activities there. The decendents of the horses from that era still live on the island, and roam freely.
Today
In the 1950’s, members of the Carnegie family, as well as other landowners, agreed to donate or sell most of their ownership to the National Park Service, and Cumberland Island National Seashore was created. There are still a few parcels of property that are privately owned, but the island is pretty much run by the park service.
Things to Do
Hiking - miles and miles of trails and unpaved roads
Biking - mostly on unpaved roads. Take your bike on the ferry, for an additional charge.
fishing - make sure you have a license if you need one
canoeing and kayaking - in the river and surf
swimming - from the beach
camping - primative sites
ranger-led tours - check the times before you go
If you Go
St Marys, Georgia is a quiet little town that is the nearest to Cumberland Island. You can find lodging here:
There is an all-inclusive inn on the island that you can stay at. Be prepared to pay a lot:
You will need to buy a ferry ticket to get to the island, if you do not have your own boat:
https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/
There are no amenities on the island beyond the restrooms and water fountains. You should bring lunch and water bottles to refill. Several places in town will sell you a box lunch to take. There are no trash cans on the island. Please pack-out what you pack-in.
Make sure you are prepared for your day on the island by taking the following: water bottle, food, bug spray, sun screen, trash bag, hat, sunglasses, an extra layer of clothing, hand sanitizer and a face covering. A sturdy backpack is recommended. And if you are going swimming, be sure to take a towel.
You can also take an all-day tour of the island:
https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/lands-legacies-tour/
You can find more info here: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
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