Cumberland Island

Hike Name: Cumberland Island Location: southeast GA Length: 15 Submitted by: Mario Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Georgia trail reviews Georgia national parks Georgia state parks
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Description
Cumberland Island is the premiere sea-kayaking destination in the Southeast. Paddle across a maze of tidal marsh for 12 miles to camp in the remotest part of this island, Brickhill Bluffs. From there, take a 7 mile hike amidst a meshwork of live oak trees draped in Spanish moss towards the First African Baptist Church, where JFK Jr got married. The following day, hike 8 mi towards the towering sand dunes roller-coasting over 18-miles of isolated beach, as the Atlantic Ocean breaks into the barrier island.

WILDLIFE: bottlenose dolphins, whitetailed deer, feral pigs, armadillos, a huge assortment of seabirds, and wild horses

NOTES:
1. The tides are very strong. Put-in at high tide to go to the island. The water is around class I/II.
2. Occassional Northeasters can oppose efforts to go to the island.
3. Bring insect repellant. Even in January (when we did the paddle), we got attacked by gnats, both when we beached on the island, and when we got back to the ramp.
4. There's a water pump at Brickhill Bluffs. Bring a filter-bottle.

Directions to Hike
The closest city is St.Marys GA, 45 minutes from Jacksonville FL. Put-in at Crooked River State Park at the end of GA-SPUR40. Sea kayak rentals go for $40/day at Up the Creek 912-882-0911. Paddle 6 miles to Plum Orchard, then 6 miles to Brickhill Bluffs. From Brickhill Bluffs, take the Main Trail North towards the Wharf Ruins, and veer East towards the Settlement. From Brickhill Bluffs, hike towards the South Cut Trail to meet the Roller-Coaster Trail, or just continue onwards to hit the magnificent sand dunes towering over the trees.

Contact Information
Cumberland Island National Seashore
P.O. Box 806
Saint Marys, GA 31558
912-882-4335

Visitors to the Cumberland Island National Seashore is limited to 300/day. You can reserve 6 months in advance (912)882-4335. Campsite designation is given 3 days prior to the date of arrival. Backcountry permit is $2/day, campsite is $4/day. There is also a ferry ($12.50) that takes hikers to the island; Brickhill Bluffs is ~10 miles Sea Camp, where it docks.

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