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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 miles (29 km) long and .5 miles (.8 km) to 3 miles (5 km) 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 miles (.8 km) to Sea Camp to 10.5 miles (17 km) 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).
There are over 50 miles of trails and roads as well as 18 miles of beach. Hiking, biking, camping, birdwatching, and beachcombing are popular activities on the island.
The island is home to more than 17 miles of undeveloped beach, a maritime forest of oak hammock and long leaf pine, tidal creeks, and marshland. Visitors can see an abundance of wildlife from deer, turkey, alligators, and bobcats, to snakes, tortoises, lizards, and hundreds of migratory birds.
City of St. Marys, GA - St. Marys, Georgia, the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, a small coastal village located in southeast Georgia remains one of Georgia's best kept secrets, a place rich in history, natural beauty and Southern hospitality. St. Marys and Cumberland Island National Seashore provide a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - In southern Georgia and northern Florida there is a very special place, one of the oldest and best preserved freshwater systems in America. Native Americans called it Okefenoka, meaning Land of the Trembling Earth. Now this place, where earth, air, fire and water continuously reform the landscape, is preserved within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1937 to protect wildlife and for you to explore. St. Marys Submarine Museum - This museum is a great place to learn about the "Silent Service". A wide variety of Submarine artifacts, memorabilia and information are available for viewing, and you can view the beautiful St Marys waterfront through a real periscope. Crooked River State Park - Located on Georgia's Colonial Coast, this park offers cozy facilities in a beautiful setting. Campsites are surrounded by Spanish moss-draped oaks, while most cottages overlook the river. Hikers can explore the nature trail, which winds through a maritime forest and salt marsh. A boat ramp is popular with anglers who often take to the water before sunrise. Fort Frederica National MonumentTimucuan Ecological & Historic PreserveCity of Jacksonville, FL
Refund and Cancellation Policy Cancellations 10 days or more before the start date of the reservation will result in a refund of the permit cost minus a 25% cancellation fee. Cancellations less than 10 days from the start date of the reservation will result in a refund of the permit cost minus a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted for cancellations one day prior to the start date of the reservation. When a reservation is cancelled, those dates will be made available for other campers at a random time within 24 hours. Changes Before Permit is Printed: The Refund and Cancellation Policy will be applied to all changes to the reservation. The start date of the reservation cannot be changed without cancelling the reservation. A new reservation must be made. Cancellation fees apply and fees associated with making a new reservation apply. Changes may be made to the number of people (maximum 6 per site) with the same dates and trip itinerary. Changes can be made by logging accessing your reservation on recreation.gov or by contacting the Call Center. Reservations are non-transferable. After Permit is Printed: Changes cannot be made to permit once it is printed. Changes will require a cancellation of the permit and reserving a new permit, if space is available. All cancellation fees and new reservation fees apply. Permits can only be printed within 10 days of the arrival date. You cannot change your site assignment. All permits must be honored as they are. Ensure every person on the camping permit has reserved a round-trip ferry ticket or has transportation via private boat. No-Show Policy If you do not cancel and decide not to use your reservation, no fees will be refunded. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to use it as this opens space for others.
$9 - $40 / night
Stafford Beach Campground requires a three and a half mile hike from Sea Camp. All sites are walk-to, tent sites and campers are responsible for transporting all gear. Carts of any kind or wheeled coolers cannot be used to haul gear. The site has flush toilets, cold showers, and water spigots with potable water. The sites include fire rings with grills. Food storage lockers (bear boxes) are available. Sites are $12 a night, good for up to 6 people.
$12 / night
The only way to get to the island is by passenger ferry (not a car ferry) or private boat. For information about making a reservation with the National Park Service official concessionaire operated ferry visit the https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm or visit https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/.
$9 / night
The only way to get to the island is by passenger ferry (not a car ferry) or private boat. For information about making a reservation with the National Park Service official concessionaire operated ferry visit the https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm or visit https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/.
The only way to get to the island is by passenger ferry (not a car ferry) or private boat. For information about making a reservation with the National Park Service official concessionaire operated ferry visit the https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm or visit https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/.
This is a Wildlife Management area - and this campground is a hunt camp. Free, no reservations, primitive. Be prepared to pack in and pack out your trash.
Do not need a reservation and it's a free campsite, but you must have either a hunting license of some type (fishing is okay too) or a land pass available at the gate.
Please check for active hunting season before attempting to camp. Open almost all year round, but there are a few times it is not.
Traveler
Went to the site for an overnight tent camp with my son. Campground was nice, and tent site had power, water, area for car to be parked tend to be set up and food to be cooked. Amenities are great. Bathhouse super close to tent sites. Swimming area really fun. Only downside was boat ramps were unusually busy so the swimming area was a bit exhaust filled for a little while. Play ground was fun plenty of areas to explore with kids. Overall a great site and I will return.
Guide
Cumberland Island is a beautiful pristine National Seashore accessible by ferry off the coast of Georgia. We tent camped there in the middle of June 2021. It was a hot time of year but under the canopy of the live oak trees where the tent sites are located (Sea Camp) was easily 10+ degrees cooler than elsewhere. However, be warned, it was extremely humid. You might consider taking a small battery-operated fan. If I return, I will try to visit during a more cool season of the year.
The tent sites are large, roomy, and equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, pole for hanging stuff, and a big metal lockable wildlife-proof box. There is no electricity or water except at the shower/restroom building that is near the campsites. You can borrow a cart to take your tent and supplies from the boat to the campsite (Seacamp only - the more distant campsites (on the north side of the island) are hike & carry only). You can also bring your own wagon/cart on the boat (we did). You can rent a bicycle on the island at the ranger station or bring your own. The ferry charges $10 to transport your own bike). Otherwise, the approximately 45-minute ferry ride costs $15 per person. You need to make a reservation in advance online (https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com/st-marys-cumberland-island-ferry/). You will need to reserve the campsite well in advance (they fill up quickly) and pay online (https://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/camping.htm). You may pay the national part fee (parking fee?) of $20 at the park station in St. Marys prior to boarding the ferry or you can pay it online in advance as well. I paid in advance online but the rangers reimbursed me after I got there because, to my surprise, it just happened to be National Park Week and the parking fee was waived as part of the celebration. Lucky me.
The island is absolutely beautiful with miles of pristine beach with lovely waves and a luscious live oak forest. You can swim. Watch out for jellyfish. I flew a kite, too. Watch the sunrise in the morning and at night, you might get an unpolluted view of the stars. Expect to see wild horses on the beach and the trails. You should not try to approach them or feed them but they came pretty close to me anyway. So it is easy to get a good look at them. A harmless armadillo visited our campsite one day.
The rangers were super nice. We enjoyed an outdoor lecture on sea turtles outside the ranger station when we were waiting for the ferry on our departure day. The rangers also provide tours of the south side of the island and the Dungeness Ruins (the remains of Lucy Carnegie’s island mansion).
I highly recommend camping (or even just visiting for the day) on Cumberland Island, Georgia.
Ranger
They allowed me to put a truck camper in a tent site. Full hook ups. Swimming pool (not clean or heated). Showers were ok. Free breakfast. Basic but free. 😊 Easy drive to St Mary’s
Traveler
My friends and I have tent camped at LTI no fewer than 7 times over the last few years. The sites are nice and tucked away, birds are plentiful and the bathrooms are always very clean. Beach access is a drive (or bike ride) across the street.
Legend
This is one of the BEST state parks we have been to in Florida. As a family of 5 it was an amazing time and the kids want to go back. The fort is informative and the kids had a blast discovering it. The beach is clean and secluded. The River Campground is amazing. If tent camping, I suggest you don’t camp at the tent only sites.
TravelerWe enjoyed our visit to Fort Clinch. We tent camped which placed us in the west side of the park, the riverside which we preferred. That side is shadier due to the large oak trees. The bathrooms and showers were squeaky clean and the staff were very helpful. The park is stunning in its beauty. Highly recommended.
GuideMore of an RV park. If you are tent camping be aware that you are going to be pretty close and exposed to your neighbors. Our first night we had a large, loud group right next to us. The next night we had a new large group that decided to watch a movie outside. Plus they kept the lights they had strung up on all night, so no relief from those lights in our tent. They did all quiet down at night, which was nice. If you are tent camping, these sites had somewhat of a buffer: Sites #41,45,46,53. On the bright side you have easy access to the beach, hiking trails and fort. The fort is pretty cool. Bathrooms were nice and clean. It is very affordable. Customer service was a mixed bag. Upon entry they were super nice and helpful, subsequent days they were not as much. We wanted to extend our stay and asked about possible cancellations as the online booking looked full. They were short with us, told us to go online to check, meanwhile we saw sites sit empty the entire time we were there. If you are traveling with teenagers who don’t find old forts cool, there is a basketball court and skatepark right outside the park.
LegendWelcome to Amelia Island and Fort Clinch State Park, which is just about the only campground on the island (more on that later), where rich Floridian history is complemented by one of the more popular seaside beach destinations in the state – and with 825 miles of oceanfront here in sunny Florida, that’s saying something! As you arrive to this prized Florida state managed park – and let me add that with all of my journeys exploring all of the amazing SPs the Sunshine State has to offer, this is definitely one of the finest – you will be almost immediately captivated by the never-ending maze of ancient Oaks with their signature cascading Spanish Moss that appear to have been hanging on for dear life for centuries, if not millennia.
At first, the idea of camping out on or near a gloriously flat endless blue horizon of gentle lolloping white-crested waves set against the singular frontline of pastel-colored umbrella-strewn beaches like what is found on the northern edge of Amelia Island sounds so idyllic, what with its sunsets, white powder beaches and fairly uncrowded beaches … but then, when you put that to the test, well, it’s another thing altogether. To begin with, the month is July and our location, lest you forgot, is northern Florida where 100 degree weather and cloudless skies, coupled with the southern reaches of Georgia, with its swamp-like, muggy humidity, combined can make for a sweltering hot outdoor experience, to say the least. So while shoulder seasons like spring and autumn might be more favorable than the middle of summer, if you do plan on camping at this particular campground here at Fort Clinch, then you will want to ensure your RV has A/C and if you are tent camping, you better bring plenty of shade with you, because for some unknown reason, the good folks at Florida State Parks saw fit not plant any shade whatsoever in the tent camping area.
As for the campground itself, you will discover Atlantic Beach Campground is quite small and sits on the northeastern most corner of Amelia Island offering just 6 tent campsites, which will be the first half dozen sites you see on the left as you approach the campground, following by a small oval loop with only 21 slots, definitely earmarked for the RV driving or 5th Wheel toting campers. There’s just a dump station that separates the RV parking oval from the tent camping area. In the center of the RV parking oval is a very good-sized restroom and shower facility that is spartan-clean and also features coin-operated washer and driers. On the eastern side of the RV oval is the beach access point which has a very nice, well-maintained beachwalk offering both a shower (for rinsing that sand and salt off after you leave the beach, which I have to admit, is a HUGE bonus as most beaches in Florida don’t have this, which makes all the difference when you’re trying to keep sand out of your RV or tent) that will welcome you to a most glorious beachfront with white powdered sand waiting for your footprints.
Insider’s tips? Here’s quite a few: (1) If possible, time your stay here to coincide with the first weekend of every month when a soldier garrison re-enacts battlefield movements and skills by firing off cannons and offering up some hands-on storytelling of what it was like to live centuries ago when this area was a key military outpost; (2) You will want to note that there are several oceanfront beach access points that unfortunately lead to ocean water that apparently you are prohibited from swimming in – according to the signs at least, due to rough currents, which seemed odd as there weren’t even waves in those parts – so if actually getting in the ocean is an important factor to you actually deciding to come here (let alone camp here) in the first place, then I would STRONGLY recommend you call the Rangers Station ahead of driving or reserving here to confirm that swimming is actually allowed and if so, specifically where; (3) I was absolutely blown away by the bicycle wonderland that exists here at Fort Clinch SP – with more than 6 miles of off-road, bush-wacking, hill rolling and dune descending, oak tree canopy covered multi-use bike trails that are just begging for your wheels to leave their mark here – the best bit? Unlike the beachheads, these maritime forested bike trails are completely covered by shade, so while you can escape the heat and humidity, at least you won’t get sunburnt as you pedal throughout this park. Do note that this multi-use trail is also used by hikers, which can move in both directions, but bikers may only be pointed in one direction and helmets must be worn at all times; (4) Don’t have a bike or forgot yours at home? Not a problem, the good people at the visitor center will rent you one (if there are any left) but as this is a very popular activity here, be prepared to get here early (or better, call ahead and reserve one); (5) If you are here to experience the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, you’ll be delighted to know that there’s more than 100 species that are protected here from Red-tailed hawks and great horned owls to purple sandpipers, barred owls and painted buntings, to name but a few; and (6) My best tip is saved for last (who are still reading) – as I am a tent camper, when I first came here to Fort Clinch, I was certain that I would fall in love with the Atlantic Beach Campground, but honestly, with absolutely ZERO shade, coupled with the timing of our visit being in July, we were completely miserable with the heat, humidity and unrelenting heat. After several hours of doing our best to enjoy ourselves, we ultimately contacted the Ranger Host and asked to be moved over to the Amelia River Campground, which is also here at Fort Clinch (and you thought there was only 1 campground here, didn’t you?!). After moving to this location, complete with tons of shade … as well as its very own access to the beach, we were much happier. Just something to bear in mind – know the difference between where you want to hang out for a few hours, like a super sunny hot beach location, and where you want to spend several hours relaxing and ultimately spending the night. We definitely learned our lesson and just want to pay that forward here.
Happy Camping!
ScoutFort Clinch has beaches, woods, with excellent hiking trails, and a civil war eara fort. The tent sites were a bit pricy, considering they don't have electricity. But they are in a very convient location, you can see lots of stars and hear the waves at night while you're sleeping. There were very few bugs. I would reccomend it if you are in the Jacksonville area.
Scout
We tent camped here in May, beautiful scenery, birds woke us up beautifully in the morning. Bugs weren't bad for us. May was the perfect weather, not too hot yet. Easy walk or short drive/bike ride to the pier for fishing and the beach. Driftwood Beach is gorgeous! Easy in, easy out. Would definitely go again. We did get a little intimidated by some raccoons in the middle of the night and some of the RV parking looked a little tight, but other than that it was a 10/10 experience.
RangerThe green tunnel oak canopy and Spanish moss over the roadway is your welcome to this state park, an anachronistic island surrounded by quiet suburbs on Amelia Island. High profile vehicles need to watch overhead clearance, due to the canopy.
The eponymous 19th century third system fortification and museum has a wealth of information and interactive living history volunteers describing its operational span of Civil War, Spanish American War, and World War Two. Hiking, biking, wildlife, fishing, and birding are the other major activities here. There is a beach for swimming and surfing, Note St. Mary’s inlet is an active shipping channel with strong currents. Camp store and souvenir shop, special event and wedding planning. This is a major stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, with some 100 avian species represented.
Group Primitive Campground favors youth groups with up to 11 month advance reservations, 30 days for adult groups if available. Three sites with capacity for 75. One of the best in the state parks system.
42 established tent sites in oak and Spanish Moss. Climate controlled bathrooms.
RV camp 21 back in sites with another six tent sites near the dunes. Renovated bathroom and laundry facilities, dump station.
GuideWe stayed at the Atlantic beach campground in the tent section. Our site was super sandy and had no shade. Bring a dining tent for shade! It was quite windy, but you could hear the ocean crashing on the beach at night. You do have to park and walk a little in to your site. You’re nearby your neighbours but a long walk away from the RVs and the washrooms. The restroom was super clean and very new. Each tent site had its own potable water tap. Definitely going to return! Such a unique area and campground!
GuideTent campsites are nice, but close together. Each site has a picnic table and firepit. The campground also has a lot of RV sites. The restrooms were really nice, with large showers, and washer and dryer. You can walk to the beach access, or drive to a larger beach access a short distance away. There were a lot of deer that ran close to the campground.
TravelerWe had a great weekend camping at Fort Clinch! We stayed at a tent site near the beach. The bathrooms were nearby and very clean. The campsite included a fire pit, picnic table and potable water. There are no trees/shade at the campsite and lots of gnats and mosquitos if the wind isn’t blowing so be sure to bring repellent.
We toured the fort, hiked some trails, went to the beach and saw lots of deer. It was a great weekend getaway!
GuideKind of on the crowded side. Caters more to RV crowd and has the tent sites far in the back. Did not look anything like the picture on their website. Though it had electric throughout ( why the price was high) but didn't. Paid for 2 nights ( min) but was so dissapointing ( noisy, too far, showers were actually painful to use) that I packed up after only a few hours. Had planned this trip for months but was not going to force myself to be miserable. Only slightly cool thing was seeing Driftwood beach. But even that excitement died when I realized it smelled heavily of dead crab and the beach was actually jagged rocks and roots. Very crowded !!Not worth the 8$ toll to get on the island.
TravelerMy first solo tent camping trip, February 2019. So quiet, beautiful, that even whispering sounded to loud. Check in was easy, the ranger was friendly gave me easy directions to site #39. The camp grounds are on intercostal side of the park. The beach is the other side of the road.
My site was secluded and surrounded by lush natural vegetation and huge oak trees. Water, electric, fire pit with grill. After setting up my tent and unloading the car, took a walk around the camp grounds. Nicely maintained, not really designed for large RV’s road are narrow. Very few empty spots. The bathrooms were spotless and large. Nice playground for children. Excellent open space to launch kayaks. Camp sites were sandy with some shells, so if tenting, putting a tarp under your tent would be prudent. Thru out the night the rangers had regular patrols. There is a naval station nearby, so there helicopters patrolling as well. I felt safe and slept like a baby.
The beachside is like no other. A short stroll over the dunes on a well marked path leads a beautiful untouched beach and driftwood. About 5 miles of packed sand made an easy walk. Take your kite!
Will plan to visit again!
Guide
We backpacked to this site for our first night on Cumberland Island. It was tough in the heat and humidity. We used the Parallel Trail with a slight detour to refill water at the Stafford Beach campground -- make sure you are prepared about water as the nearest non-potable water source to Hickory Hill is about 1 mile away.
We were the only campers this night so it felt very remote and secluded. Unfortunately, no amount of bug spray could deter the mosquitoes in June. We had a million bug bites and tent camping in this humidity was uncomfortable. Elsewhere on the island was not nearly as bad for ticks and mosquitoes. We were brushing them off ourselves and the tent constantly. Make sure you do a thorough tick check! I would love to visit again in the cooler months when this is less of an issue.
Unlike the campgrounds on the island, this site is still kinda far from beach access. You have to hike through a marsh/swampy area with some boardwalks and really keep an eye out for directional signs as there are side trails used by animals that look like the main trail. I was afraid of coming upon gators and I think we heard one but otherwise we didn't see any. We did see many wild horses and armadillos! One of the biggest draws to camping on Cumberland Island is the beach so I would recommend other sites over this one for their shorter access trails -- especially the Stafford Beach campground.
Be aware that campfires are NOT allowed in the wilderness, including this backpacking site. They are only allowed in designated fire rings that are in the 2 campgrounds. We were able to use a small backpacking stove to make our meals. Hang your food to protect from the critters (and horses maybe?)!
There were multiple options for campsites including some large areas that would accommodate groups well. All seemed pretty level.
LegendJekyll Island County Park is located at the northern end of Jekyll Island, a barrier island at the halfway point along the Georgia Coast.
The campground at Jekyll Island is primarily an RV park, with 179 total campsites. The grounds here are gorgeous, with sweeping Spanish moss draped over live oaks, and walking distance from the otherworldly driftwood beach.
As far as camping goes, there is definitely more of a party atmosphere here, and the emphasis is on overall location more than on the campground itself. The sites are all very small and very close together, and the "primitive" tent sites are far more similar to group camping at a state park or private campground than the word "primitive" brings to mind--they are still easy walking distance to the welcome center, restrooms with running water and electricity, and there is wifi throughout the campground. These sites are slightly set back from the RV sites but are largely in an open field, so there is still very little privacy to be had; that said these would be great for multiple families who want their own sites but to still have proximity to each other. As for the RV sites, as with most campgrounds the sites in the center of the campground (particularly loops D, B, F, and C) are the smallest and have the least amount of privacy, while the border loops (H and G) offer a little bit more quiet with the dense lowcountry brush as a barrier on one side.
If you are comfortable with being near your neighbors however, this is an amazing alternative to hotels, and gives you direct access to the beauty of Jekyll Island. The beach is a true natural playground of driftwood, and the park offers numerous shelters, picnic tables, grills, a store that sells everything from fishing tackle to seashell curtains, and a pier for launching boats. Somehow this park manages to combine the ruggedness of the mountains--even with the amenities--with the relaxation of the beach--and gives the bonus of hot showers to wash off the sand at the end of the day!
LegendIf you don’t know Jekyll Island and somehow stumbled across this fabled Golden Isle of the Georgia barrier islands, you have struck island hopping gold! Seriously, this island is simply amazing and you don’t want to miss your chance to visit this little known Peach State coastal gem. Whether it’s the bare bones skeleton-like abandoned trees you’ll find on Driftwood Beach, a simply superb fishing pier with unmatched sunsets or the ‘roaring twenties’ vibe you’ll experience at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, one thing is certain … when you scratch your head at the shock of having to pay $10 to just get on the island, trust me, within 10 minutes, you will understand that you are going to be getting your money’s worth.
Let’s start with the amazing beaches that are still left remaining after Hurricane Ian wiped out nearly one entire side of the island’s beaches (no joke, just go for a spin in the residential areas where you’ll see big boulders have replaced what used to be white powdered sandy beaches). For starters, there’s more than 10 miles of seaside beach bliss with more than 7 beaches to choose from of which I highly recommend the picturesque Driftwood Beach that so many tourists come here for, where you’ll be able to meander through a labyrinth of whole trees that have washed up on shore here as well as some that have rooted and are starting to grow again. Oceanview Beach Park is perhaps my favorite, if you are coming with the family and looking to grab a great day in the ocean. Whichever beach you choose, you will be amazed by the first-class, well-appointed parking lots, covered pavilions, seemingly brand new wooden decks and pathways, bathrooms and outdoor shower facilities. For a SP, you will definitely feel as though this place is secretly being managed by the good folks from the Ritz Carlton as a pet project!
As for the campground, after being completely blown away by the well-heeled aura of Jekyll Island, I was somewhat disappointed by Jekyll Island’s only campground. While the desk staff that managed the campground were sure nice enough, hospitable and inviting (we are in George afterall), once we got onto the property to find our campground site, we couldn’t help but feel a bit let down. For $36 a night as tent campers, while we enjoyed that each of the primitive campsites had decent privacy, especially when compared to the rest of the wide-open RV-saturated campground, all of the amenities were fairly old, outdated, falling part or very 70's-esque. With only a dozen primitive tent sites, the rest of the entire campground is broken into 7 other sections (B, C, D, E, F, G, H … and T – don’t ask me, I guess the faculty didn’t do well on the old alphabet?) with 167 full hook-up back-in or pull-through sites designed for RVs or 5th Wheelers.
Amenities? Here’s the line-up: free WiFi (that was just OK, but not good enough for streaming), coin-operated laundry room with washers & dryers, covered pavilion / amphitheater, bike rentals, bird sanctuary, scatted clotheslines (be careful when you go for a jog around the campground!), kid’s playground, 2 bathhouses with restrooms and hot / cold water showers, propane refueling station and a fairly decent general store that seemed to have quite a bit, including touristy knick-knacks in addition to basic sundries, RV supplies, ice cream, firewood and some limited groceries. For RVs and 5th Wheelers, there’s back-in and pull-through full hook-ups here offering 30 / 50 amp electricity, water and sewage in addition to Cable TV.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you can accept that you are at this campground and this alone gives you amazing access to the rest of the island and you’re going to spend the bounty of your time doing just that and don’t give two hoots about the calibre of the campground, you’ll do fine. Just keep those expectations in your pocket and realize that the experience will pay out with what the rest of Jekyll Island has to offer; (2) Of the primitive campsites that are available IMHO the best sites are those on the outer perimeter: J4, J5, J6, J7 and I7, I8; (3) Should you run out of anything, while the market here at the campground is good in a pinch, if you need to stock up and want more variety and / or better prices, then head on over to either the Jekyll Market or The Salt Table on the central west-side of the island (just due south of Great Dunes Park) or if you are a veteran, then the Commissary, otherwise, you’ll have to head north to Brunswick to find any of the usual suspects like Publix, Walmart or Winn-Dixie; (4) When you grow weary of trying to figure out that next meal from either the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or your onboard mini-fridge, you’ll be delighted to discover that there’s actually some AMAZING restaurant offerings that, if you’d like to bike to, like we did, you will be psyched with restaurants like Tortuga Jacks for some pretty good (not great) Mexican with an amazing open-air oceanview cantina, Tribuzio’s Grill for top-notch seafood, The Wharf for succulent fish, fried green tomatoes and ocean crawling crustean as well as Zachary’s Riverhouse, which is low-key and offers up glorified bar food like burgers, wings and sandwiches; and (5) If you are debating about whether or not to bring your bike with you – trust me, DO IT! The bike paths around Jekyll Island are first class, well-paved and are the absolutely best way to see the entire island, which you can easily circumnavigate at pace in under 2 hours.
Happy Camping!
Scout
I stayed at Georgia Coastal RV Park on an extended stay for work. I recommend this campground fully. Located in a rural town, The drive into Brunswick was only around 10 minutes. There are a handful of stores nearby. I stayed in site 5 South, a pull thru with a shore power box that has 50, 30 and 20A connections. Roger and Carl were very accommodating and even went out of their way to help fix issues I had with my rig. Will stay here again.
Scout
Really nice campground. Is quiet, clean and great location. We spent 4 days here and it’s a short drive to historic downtown Brunswick, St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. So much to do.
Campground has bike and hiking trails, a freshwater lake for fishing and swimming, and a marina for those who may bring a boat to go saltwater fishing. All campsites are shaded and well equipped. Will definitely be back!
GuideWe booked here for the proximity to Brunswick… we will come back to the Golden Isle but do not plan on coming back to Blythe Island… The morning mosquitos were the worst I have ever experienced!!! An Opossum broke into our closed lid dog food container which an all too domesticated Racoon caught wind of…The bathrooms top the top of the worst ever an I have camped for over 40 years…The bunnies and geese were a treat..,
RangerWe love this campground. The sites are large and pretty private with trees and bushes growing between sites. The site we stayed at faced the lake. The lake had a beach for swimming and you could also put in a kayak or small boat there. Fishing was also permitted for a small fee. Additionally there is a dock on the Brunswick river where you can fish and a bait ramp. There is a playground available and domesticated rabbits run free all over the park. The bathhouses are clean and there is a small laundry area. The park is within driving distance of beaches at both Jekyll Island and St Simons and we visited both. It’s a great place to stay when you can’t get into the campground on Jekyll (or just don’t want to be there).
Legend
If you don’t mind being out in the boondocks without much of anything (underscore the word ‘anything’ twice here), then you will instantly fall in love with Charlton County Traders Hill Rec Area – because there is basically almost nothing here.
Except for, everything. Meaning that you’ll discover here pristine natural surroundings, Spanish moss drenched ancient Oaks and Cypress, small twisting little river joints that will slowly, but uncertainly have you navigate your way down the very murky dark waters of the St. Mary’s River, which is the natural dividing line between Florida and Georgia. The land in this campground is flat, somewhat sandy, mixed with the black and red Georgia soil wherein you’ll find a thin film of grass throughout the campground, which is interrupted by these most magestic Magnolia trees that have been strategically placed by God and nature throughout these pristine grounds.
That said, this place is rough and, again, without all of the basic amenities that I’m typically used to when camping out in my tent. For RV’ers, it appears as though all your basic amenities are covered for – flat pebble-strewn slab to park your vehicle, coupled with electric, water and sewage lines. There’s a little camp store on the premises, but it was closed the whole time we were there. The restroom and shower facilities would be more at home in 3rd world countries than in the US, so I would highly recommend a dry bathing alternative.
That aside, one of the best attractions is the very easy water access to St. Mary’s River, where we dipped our kayak and canoe in for what we thought would be a good 30 or 45 minute bit of paddling, only to spend more than 4 hours exploring this very peaceful and enchanting body of water. I truly hope you discover this place for yourself – it is magical.
Happy Camping!
Scout
Wonderful place to enjoy nature. Boat landing. Camper or tent.
TravelerWe had a nice stay in our tent. This campground is perfect for riding bikes and getting to the ocean quickly.
Legend
Arrived here for a two-night tent stay in the second week of September after crossing the GA State border from Hanna in Jacksonville. The ranger was very accommodating, even staying a bit past five to arrange check in (called him on the phone on the way in). The camp store is well stocked. The spots certainly cater to large RVs, which means that there is lots of room for tents. It's an open plan, which means that you can see the whole park, and the whole park can see you, but there's reasonable separation between the spots. The trees are tall and beautiful, creating a partial shade. The restroom facilities are being renovated at the center of the main park, but there is a newer building past spot #6 that also has indoor laundry. No access to the water directly from the camp site. Moved the picnic table of the sandy pad and placed the tent there. It was cleaner than placing it on the gravel spot where the RVs go. It was a good park.
Tent camping near Brunswick, Georgia offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, with beautiful landscapes and a variety of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Brunswick, GA is Sea Camp Campground — Cumberland Island National Seashore with a 4.8-star rating from 24 reviews.
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