Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits

undeveloped beach complete with sea oat covered dunes, light sands, blue sky, and crashing waves
dungeness ruins under pink clouds
undeveloped beach complete with sea oat covered dunes, light sands, blue sky, and crashing waves
undeveloped beach complete with sea oat covered dunes, light sands, blue sky, and crashing waves
large live oak branches extending over sand road

Featured amenities

Showers Showers

Available sites

43 total sites

About Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits

Whether you are looking to spend a night with family and friends around a campfire under the moss covered branches of the live oak trees, or looking for the rugged challenges and solitude of the wilderness, you will find it on Cumberland Island National Seashore. The park includes a designated Wilderness area, undeveloped beaches, historic sites, cultural ruins, critical habitat and nesting areas, as well as numerous plant and animal communities. The national seashore also offers a wide variety of camping opportunities.     Watch the "Camping on Cumberland Island" video for information to help you plan an d prepare for your trip.  Campgrounds Cumberland Island offers five campgrounds , which include designated campsites at Sea Camp and Stafford Beach; and Wilderness campsites at: Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise and Brickhill Bluff. Camping is only permitted in these five campgrounds. A permit is required to camp in any of these five camping areas. Getting There   Visitors must take a boat to the island. Most visitors arrive via the Cumberland Island Ferry from St. Marys, Georgia (see Park Concessioner Services below).  The ferry does not transport automobiles or RVs. Check the ferry schedule prior to reserving your Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permit unless you are traveling by private boat. The ferry does not operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December through February. Island Information Cumberland Island is 18 mi (18 mi) long and .5 mi (.5 mi) to 3 mi (3.1 mi) wide. Bring your cell phone if possible. Use airplane mode to reserve battery power. There is electricity at the Sea Camp Ranger Station, Sea Camp Campground, and Stafford Beach Campground for recharging devices. Dial 911 to report emergencies and disturbances.  There are no stores, restaurants or other amenities on the island. After arriving on the island, campers must hike, walk or bike from the dock to the campgrounds and transport all gear. There is no transporation service. The distance ranges from .5 mi (.5 mi) to Sea Camp to 10.5 mi (10.6 mi) to Brickhill Bluff.   Carts of any kind and wheeled coolers are not allowed north of Sea Camp Campground.  Hammocks permitted only with hammock stands. New for 2021. See Superintendent's Compendium  Be prepared for extreme weather, sun exposure, and a variety of insects. Ticks, no see-ums, and mosquitoes are prevalent during summer months; protect yourself accordingly. Understand your limitations; the island has no conveniences; be prepared for a remote setting and a harsh environment. Bicycle and Carts For information on using carts and camping with bicycles visit the Cumberland Island Camping Page  For information on bicycle and cart rentals, as well as transporting your bike to the island visit Cumberland Island Ferry webpage .   Ferry Reservations, Bicycle and Cart Rental, and Tour Reservations - Contact: Cumberland Island Ferry at www.cumberlandislandferry.com or call (877) 860-6787.      Cumberland Island Ferry passengers must check-in at the Cumberland Island Mainland Visitor Center in Saint Marys at least 30 minutes prior to their ferry departure time: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/be-ready.htm  Campers must deboard the ferry at the Sea Camp Dock (not at the Dungeness Dock).  

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

43 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 001, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 001, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 002, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 002, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 003, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 003, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 004, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 004, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 005, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 005, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 006, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire
⛺ 006, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 007, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 007, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 008, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 008, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 009, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 009, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 010, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Shade shade
⛺ 010, Loop: Stafford Beach Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 011, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Shade shade
⛺ 012, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 013, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 014, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 015, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 016, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ 1, Loop: Brickhill Bluff Tent
⛺ 1, Loop: Hickory Hill Tent
Yes shade
⛺ 1, Loop: Yankee Paradise Tent
Shade shade
⛺ 2, Loop: Brickhill Bluff Tent
Yes shade
⛺ 2, Loop: Hickory Hill Tent
Yes shade
⛺ 2, Loop: Yankee Paradise Tent
Yes shade
⛺ 3, Loop: Brickhill Bluff Tent
Yes shade
⛺ 3, Loop: Hickory Hill Tent
Yes shade
⛺ 3, Loop: Yankee Paradise Tent
Yes shade
⛺ 4, Loop: Brickhill Bluff Tent
Yes shade
⛺ 4, Loop: Hickory Hill Tent
Yes shade
⛺ 4, Loop: Yankee Paradise Tent
Yes shade
⛺ Brickhill Bluff - Wilderness, Loop: Brickhill Bluff Tent
⛺ GN, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ GS, Loop: Sea Camp Tent
Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ Hickory Hill - Wilderness, Loop: Hickory Hill Tent
Yes shade
⛺ Yankee Paradise - Wilderness, Loop: Yankee Paradise Tent
Shade shade

Reviews (1133)

What Guests Are Saying

Cumberland Island National Seashore offers a beautiful and peaceful camping experience, with spacious, clean campsites and ample amenities like drinking water and cold outdoor showers. Many visitors appreciated the island's stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and opportunities for exploration, often recommending longer stays to fully enjoy the area. While some noted challenges such as heat, rain, and occasional issues with park staff or facilities, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire to return.

Review Summary

4.7
1133 reviews
5
80.8%
915
4
12.9%
146
3
3.9%
44
2
1.6%
18
1
0.9%
10

Caroline Z

Verified

May 29, 2021 • Stayed at: GS, Loop: Sea Camp

5

very pleased

Adrienne S

Verified

May 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Sea Camp

5

This was my 4th camping trip to Seacamp. The bear boxes are a fantastic addition and the potable water installed a couple years ago is much appreciated. I would make one recommendation and that is to put all water containers in the bear box. A raccoon chewed a hole in the plastic gallon jug we had to refill for cooking water. Also, the duck pond at Dungeness is the water source for horses so it’s a great place to go and watch. This is at the bay side of the Dungeness green space. Also, we saw two manatees at the marsh boardwalk near the dune side of Dungeness.

Caroline Z

Verified

May 29, 2021 • Stayed at: GS, Loop: Sea Camp

5

very pleased

Adrienne S

Verified

May 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: Sea Camp

5

This was my 4th camping trip to Seacamp. The bear boxes are a fantastic addition and the potable water installed a couple years ago is much appreciated. I would make one recommendation and that is to put all water containers in the bear box. A raccoon chewed a hole in the plastic gallon jug we had to refill for cooking water. Also, the duck pond at Dungeness is the water source for horses so it’s a great place to go and watch. This is at the bay side of the Dungeness green space. Also, we saw two manatees at the marsh boardwalk near the dune side of Dungeness.

Nichole L

Verified

June 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Sea Camp

5

Bike riding on the beach between Sea Camp and Dungennes is amazing, though trying to get bike from the beach to Dungennes is difficult. Very heavy sand and bikes must be walk a long way. Nothing compares to a camping trip on Cumberland.

Nichole L

Verified

June 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Sea Camp

5

Bike riding on the beach between Sea Camp and Dungennes is amazing, though trying to get bike from the beach to Dungennes is difficult. Very heavy sand and bikes must be walk a long way. Nothing compares to a camping trip on Cumberland.

Kayla W

Verified

June 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Sea Camp

5

Fantastic experience! I love visiting Cumberland Island.

Kayla W

Verified

June 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: Sea Camp

5

Fantastic experience! I love visiting Cumberland Island.

Teresa M

Verified

June 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Sea Camp

5

This was my first time to Cumberland Island and I will definitely be back. We stayed at Sea Camp for 24 hours - site 14 and had a great time. The island is beautiful. We were able to score a cart at the St. Mary's ferry dock to use after we unloaded our car and load our stuff onto the ferry before we boarded. It looked like there were 2 carts available so people could take turns. There were a few park employees on the ferry and they said we were there at a good time b/c a lot of horses were out and several had new babies and we spotted a few on the shoreline as we approached! Upon arrival there were several carts available at the dock and they were not charging to use them. The 2 of us packed reasonably light considering we've only ever been car camping - 1 giant hiking backpack and a cart used for our tent, chairs, cooler, wood, and random odds and ends. I can't imagine the hike to the next campground as the half mile walk w/ all our gear was all I could handle. The site was nice and spacious - room for 2 good size tents and it had 2 picnic tables. Unfortunately our bear locker was broken but there was a sign on it saying to use the one at the site across from us as that site was closed for the season - a little inconvenient but not a big deal. We explored the ruins and spent time at the beach and saw a bunch of horses (and babies) and a few armadillos. Didn't have any issues w/ racoons and bugs weren't bad at all. Potable water was convenient and tasted fine. We had a tough time getting a fire going and gave up. The wood we bought on the boat was very dense and there was not much for downed branches or twigs to collect kindling. We brought minimal newspaper and fire starter sticks and only were able to keep a fire long enough to grill a few hot dogs. Not sure what we would've done if we were staying longer and needed it to cook or stay warm. I'd suggest bringing a small hatchet. All in all, great trip!

Teresa M

Verified

June 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: Sea Camp

5

This was my first time to Cumberland Island and I will definitely be back. We stayed at Sea Camp for 24 hours - site 14 and had a great time. The island is beautiful. We were able to score a cart at the St. Mary's ferry dock to use after we unloaded our car and load our stuff onto the ferry before we boarded. It looked like there were 2 carts available so people could take turns. There were a few park employees on the ferry and they said we were there at a good time b/c a lot of horses were out and several had new babies and we spotted a few on the shoreline as we approached! Upon arrival there were several carts available at the dock and they were not charging to use them. The 2 of us packed reasonably light considering we've only ever been car camping - 1 giant hiking backpack and a cart used for our tent, chairs, cooler, wood, and random odds and ends. I can't imagine the hike to the next campground as the half mile walk w/ all our gear was all I could handle. The site was nice and spacious - room for 2 good size tents and it had 2 picnic tables. Unfortunately our bear locker was broken but there was a sign on it saying to use the one at the site across from us as that site was closed for the season - a little inconvenient but not a big deal. We explored the ruins and spent time at the beach and saw a bunch of horses (and babies) and a few armadillos. Didn't have any issues w/ racoons and bugs weren't bad at all. Potable water was convenient and tasted fine. We had a tough time getting a fire going and gave up. The wood we bought on the boat was very dense and there was not much for downed branches or twigs to collect kindling. We brought minimal newspaper and fire starter sticks and only were able to keep a fire long enough to grill a few hot dogs. Not sure what we would've done if we were staying longer and needed it to cook or stay warm. I'd suggest bringing a small hatchet. All in all, great trip!

Location & Directions for Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits

101 Wheeler St, St. Marys, GA 31558 United States

Elevation: 2 ft

Getting There

<p><strong>NPS VISITOR CENTER/FERRY CHECK-IN:</strong> </p>
<ul>
<li>Take Exit 3 from Interstate 95. At the exit stop light turn east on to Highway 40. </li>
<li>Follow the signs traveling east into Historic St. Marys. Highway 40 East will become ...

Nearest town

St. Marys, GA - 0.2 mi

About 2 min to downtown

Highway access

Cumberland Island National Seashore is accessible via Exit 3 from Interstate 95, which is approximately 5 miles to the west. From the exit, travelers use Highway 40 east into Historic St. Marys.

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

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Last updated: October 21, 2026

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Explore St. Marys, GA

Population: 19,166

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Jacksonville, FL

Approx. 28 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 7 ft

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