Full of rich history and untouched wildlife, Cumberland Islands rank high on our list of places in Georgia to explore. The Cumberland Islands are Georgia's very own barrier reef islands that are now protected as a National Seashore by the National Parks Service. The island is only accessible by ferry via St. Mary’s, Georgia, and personal vehicles are not allowed. This destination is ideal for either a day trip or weekend trip depending on your desired level of intensity. We'll elaborate more, but let us explain why we love the Cumberland Islands so much.

History

While historians are unsure of when people first began to inhabit the area that is Cumberland Island, there is evidence of aboriginal peoples that made their home in this costal Georgia region as early as 2000 BC.

Cumberland Island is not mentioned prominently is historical records until the Spanish mission days of the 16th century. James Edward Oglethorpe is credited with the building of two forts on each side of the island, along with a hunting lodge. In the days following the Revolutionary War was when the light began to shine on Cumberland Island due to its natural resources. Nathanael Greene, a major general in the Continental Army, and his wife Catherine, are credited as the first to build a home on the island, which she named Dungeness. The home was lost to fire in 1866

The next shift in the history of Cumberland Island began in the 1800's with the Carnegie family began to establish their presence on the island, eventually owning up to 90% of the island. Thomas Carnegie and his wife Lucy selected Cumberland Island as the location of their winter retreat. The Carnegies rebuilt a new Dungeness on the mansion’s original foundation, along with several other dwellings. After Thomas Carnegie’s passing, Lucy built Greyfield, now an inn still owned and operated by Carnegie descendants, Plum Orchard, a 20,000 square foot mansion now overseen by the National Park Service, and Stafford Plantation, remaining privately owned by the Carnegie family.

The fate of the islands was uncertain in the 1960’s as Carnegie descendants began to sell off portions of their land holdings. Eventually, Cumberland Island was established as a national seashore on October 23, 1972, with parts of the island still remaining under private ownership.

To this day, you can visit some of the original, remaining fixtures of the island, such as the Dungeness Ruins, the Plum Orchard Mansion, and the First African Baptist Church on the Settlement, which was the wedding location of John F. Kennedy, Jr.

Wildlife

Cumberland Island is home to several unique animals that visitors may encounter first hand. Most noteworthy, this includes the island’s population of wild horses, rumored to have been remnants of the previous Spanish occupancy. Wild hogs can also be found on Cumberland, along with loggerhead sea turtles and a collection of diverse birds.

Activities

Make memories to last a lifetime by participating in hiking, swimming, fishing, biking, and bird watching. Participate in a guided tour of the island in “Lands and Legacies”. Take in the sites and shoot some awesome photographs.

Ways to Visit

To experience Cumberland, you have two lodging options: rent a luxurious room at the Greyfield Inn, or reserve one of the National Park Service’s many camp grounds. This is what we meant by desired level of intensity. Choosing a campground option is not for the faint of heart. You’ll need to carry all of your supplies needed for the weekend – food, water treatment, equipment, etc. (Don’t worry – these items are available at Big Adventure Outfitters). Camp ground reservations must be made prior to arrival online, as you’ll need a printed copy of your campsite permit.

If you’re more interested in a day trip, keep in mind that there are entry and parking fees. The park entry fee is $7 for adults, with children 15 and under free. The ferry fee will cost you $28 per adult and $18 for kids 15 and under, but is well worth it to experience this wonder.

For additional information about Cumberland Island, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm or http://cumberlandisland.com