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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.
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.
$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.
Scout
I tried to get reservations on the state park website and kept getting an error message. On further investigation it appears they closed in Feb 2024 because of erosion. I'll keep checking and will update this review if/when they reopen.
Guide
Very rural, very quiet. Private river access, full hookup available. Pet friendly & spacious. 30 mins from 2 golf courses in case you golf. 8 miles to the nearest anything (small grocery & dollar general). Very kind owner & camp host.
ScoutLevel concrete sites, pull through, only used electric. Did not use bathhouse or restroom facilities. Heard no road noise due to little air conditioner, running. Nice waffle breakfast in the Econo Lodge, which is adjacent. $54. Aug 18, 2024
Traveler
We enjoyed our stay. The facilities were clean but there were a few things that I wouldn’t mind seeing improved or changed. But none that would stop me from coming back.
The lake is fairly small they do not have a no wake rule or HP limit. So if you go out in a kayak or canoe and there is just one boat pulling a tube you should expect a rough day on the water.
Our site really could use to be refurbed with a more defined site boundary and picnic area.
Site 19 is a bit tight to back in but it’s doable.
Legend
OK, I get it. Maybe it’s late at night, you’ve been on the road for hours (if not days) and maybe you’ve even got little ones who just need to get some fresh air. We’ve all been there, so maybe it’s late one night and you are contemplating whether or not to layover here at Horne Lake RV Resort. Perhaps it’s dark out and pure exhaustion is about to set in, so you shrug your shoulders and are about to decide to spend the night. But wait, just hold onto that thought a little longer.
My personal advice would be to look at some of the other nearby campgrounds and RV parking lots around and chose a better spot. Trust me, there’s quite a few GOOD ones to choose from, but hey, if you’re too tired and just don’t care, well, then this place won’t kill you. Plus, it’s dark at night, so you probably won’t see what a borderline nasty spot this actually is. That said, be weary of all the bad roads as you drive through this little highway roadside campground spot, which has one small loop that is jam-packed with other road weary travelers like yourself driving either a big rig or RV.
From an amenities standpoint, there’s not much, however, there is a small community pool and firepit along with a propane refilling station as well as a little joint that serves as a storefront / restaurant, although I wasn’t enticed to eat there. All of the basic amenities are provided: 30 & 50 amp electrical, water and sewage lines. The sites are all paved, albeit not terribly well, and oh, there’s a community laundry facility on site, but the dilapidated conditions of the units were enough to keep us away from using them. Beyond this, not much else to say about the place.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you missed it somehow on the first go around, don’t stay here, unless you have no other viable options, but per my suggestion, there’s a number of other places far better and much easier to pull up and drop anchor at than this roadside dump; (2) If you are looking for somewhere to dip the beak of your kayak or canoe, then just head due north where right at the GA / FL state-line you’ll be able to explore the very wonderfully dark St. Mary’s River, which if you follow it easterly, you’ll eventually be greeted by the Atlantic Ocean after first passing Fort Clinch State Park (a great place to park your RV BTW) on the right; and (3) When you grow weary of trying to figure out that next on-board meal from the depths of your mini-fridge, then head on over into St. Mary’s on the GA side where you can find a number of great foodie digs like The Green Room Sicilian Café & Deli, Horse & Cow Pub & Grill as well as McGarbey’s Wee Pub South.
Happy Camping!
Scout
First time using a military campground. Neat concrete pads for pull through or back in RVs. Nice community building with nice showers and a huge laundromat. Some sites overlook a small lake.
Legend
If 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!
Traveler
Small park with 6 level gravel 30ft wide spaces with full hookups fences between neighbors very well maintained grassy lots for an unbeatable price. Watch out for the deer on hwy 57. No office on site but the manager met us onsite and was super sweet and helpful brought us a WiFi extender so I could connect for work.
Ranger
Paved roads to every campsite. Gravel pads for the RV. Close to town. Decent dog park. Extensive gym and fairly decent laundry room.
Guide
This review is for CRSP Cottage 10, a 2 bedroom, 4 bed, 1 bath, pet friendly house down a quiet road within the park. The park staff at the gift shop were very kind and engaged. They collected our balance and $50.00 pet fee there. Not all cottages are pet friendly. Cottage 10 is...so plan ahead! Despite that, there was 0 smell when we entered the cottage. It was very clean! Exceptional view of Crooked River! Our family of four loved s’mores under the stars and twisted coastal trees. There is a jumbo picnic table and fire pit. Carrying meals out was no issue and so much less exhausting than cooking on the Coleman stove and dealing with gear and tents. That’s also a fun experience, but coming back to AC and a private bathroom after a full day of hiking Cumberland Island is worth the nightly price tag. One day it poured. We comfortably watched the storm from the cozy screened-in porch. The kitchen is well stocked, minus a cutting board. No biggie. Made do. I always travel with a reliable and sharpened kitchen knife, kitchen scissors, and my trusty cast iron pan. But I was surprised to find supplies at the cottage like paper towels, toilet paper, and dish washer pods. The beds are comfortable and the linens and towels are clean and plentiful. It was a great experience and we would love to return.
Traveler
We thoroughly enjoyed our time camping and fishing as a family.
Guide
It had rained quite a bit for days, so it was nasty. Sites too close together for my taste. Not much shade. We only stayed for one night, so we did not explore the place.
Guide
A clean and well maintained RV park located right next to I-95 in Georgia for those looking for a quick in and out overnight stay.
TravelerManagement was very helpful. Loved the assortment of animals they have.
Propane fill up is available.
Guide
We 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..,
Scout
3/4s of the way through the 2nd winter with Patty and her crew. The campground is very well kept. All issues are addressed immediately. And the friendliest staff you could ask for. Events are planned several times a month. With a mix of full, part-time, and temporary guests all invited. Sites include water, electrical and sewer. Access to the campground is very easy, just off Hwy 1. This is definitely my 1st choice. We stayed November through March.
ScoutCcampground is open. It is not closed as advertised on this site.
ScoutGreat spot, however maintenance is starting 2/12/24. Not sure how long this will last, but park will be closed for some time
GuideThe pull through sites backside of the area look really roomy. We are on site 19. It is just fine.
GuideJekyll Island Georgia is my favorite island of all time. The campground, however, can be tight with plenty of mossy oak tree covered lots. Which can leave your roof of your camper a mess? T-Mobile reception was good, with our booster on top of the camper. All restrooms and shower areas were very clean, even though some of them were pretty dated. Campground expansion has been stopped due to lack of workers. Overall, I would definitely come back here again.
LegendCrooked River is a beautiful park! Big sites, huge pull thrus, some have FHU. Lots of walking, and biking. Sites are gravel and very level. Clean restrooms, showers, and laundry. Good size store. Has putt putt, boat ramps, and trees. Very quiet and friendly hosts. Firewood is $9 bundle, but 10 pieces. .75 cubic foot. GREAT place. Some sites have water view.
GuideMy 1st trip here did NOT disappoint! Large sites & lots of trees/shade. There are also big cottages in the back to rent. Very friendly staff & the river is beautiful. Tons of walking & golf cart trails. Paved roads & doggy stations. The sites have lots of room & a fire ring & picnic table. There are two playgrounds for people with kids & the birdwatching was incredible & I’m not even into that. Nice little store for essentials. Definitely will return.
GuideWe had a wonderful time camping the weekend of the golf cart parade on Jekyll Island. The pier was a close bike ride, the entire island has biking trails. Lights were gorgeous for the holiday and campers were in spirit as well. It was a little warm this weekend, and the gnats are NO JOKE. Because of them we likely won’t visit again in the spring, but wait for colder weather.
ScoutAwesome, private beach, with tons of little spots to hang out and swim near. The Beachwood is fun to climb also!
Legend
One of the greatest charms about Cumberland Island is that it is still somewhat of a little kept secret. Cumberland is one of, if not THE largest underdeveloped barrier islands in Georgia, and certainly is the southernmost isle boasting some 36,000 acres of protected nature and wildlife sanctuary and miles upon miles of unspoiled white sand beaches. Originally settled as a plantation, the Carnegie family turned it into a winter holiday island playground that now the isle is protected and managed by the NPS, which has maintained nothing short of a pristine, idyllic overgrown island oasis complete with loggerhead sea turtles, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, feral hogs, American alligators, wild boards, squirrels, nine-banded armadillos, raccoons and wild horses, whose bloodlines can be traced directly to the royal stables of the Arabian royalty. Please let me know if you ever find another campground of such distinction!
For us nature lovers, there are 3 distinct ecosystems here: salt marshes, gnarled live oak tree forests and, of course, pristine white sand beaches. With this opening salvo in mind, let’s address the biggest question that no doubt abates for this particular campground– HOLY COW! (Nod here to my broadcasting hero, Harry Caray) … Cumberland Island looks like one very difficult place to get to!!! This is undoubtedly true. But is it worth it? My simple response: Yes! Absolutely.
It’s a lot of work, that’s to be sure, but if you are looking for an ABSOLUTE GEM of a seaside campground oasis to plot your particular camping experience in, then you’ve just found a slice of island heaven on earth. But before we get to the ‘payload,’ let’s discuss the toil that’s required to get to Cumberland Isle. To begin with, the ONLY way most people can arrive to Cumberland Island is by ferry from St. Mary’s. The only other way is by private boat or private plane via Stafford Airport. The challenge with arriving by ferry is compounded by a number of factors:
(1) Whatever supplies you choose to go camping with, you will need to ‘wheel it on’ the actual ferry, which likely requires a hard examination of what really is essential versus ‘nice-to-have’;
(2) You will need to calculate both your entrance AND exit to this enchanting island by more than a couple of hours on both sides of arrival and departure, so make sure you research embarkation and disembarkation times closely and buy your ferry tickets WELL IN ADVANCE; and
(3) Whatever you actually need for the entire time on this island, you’re going to have to bring – because there’s ABSOLUTELY no markets or shops to save you if you’ve forgotten anything …
SO, if you are on OCD planner/ camper/ packer like me, Sea Camp Beach on Cumberland Island represents, perhaps, one of the greatest primitive camping expedition challenges out there … well, at least on or near the Florida–Georgia line.
Before I get into the specific campground I visited on Cumberland Island, I want to be clear, there’s 5 (count ‘em 5!) individual campgrounds to choose from, which include the 2 designated campgrounds of Sea Camp and Stafford Beach, along with the two wilderness campgrounds of Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise and Brickhill Bluff. And in order to camp in any one of these 5 campgrounds, you need to secure a permit, which will occur when you book on Recreation.gov. Please note for this particular review, I will be focused on Sea Camp on Cumberland Island.
I hope to return to this majestic island where wild horses roam free on some of the most pristine beaches I have ever experienced. As for Sea Camp Beach Campground itself, you’ll want to jump off on the second ferry stop called Sea Camp Dock, wherein you’ll disembark upon a pretty amazing, modern ferry landing with acres of sea crabs conquering the beachhead (although to be honest, it’s more mud than sand) on either side of the jetty. Upon arrival, you’ll discover a well-established Ranger Station with actual helpful Rangers that will provide you all the useful information you will need for the entirety of your stay.
From here, you’ll either continue moving eastward with your mobile moving trolley – BUT IF YOU DON’T, you’re in LUCK as Cumberland Island provides, at this particular stop, about a dozen or so complimentary luggage trollies that will help enable you to bring all your camping gear to the designated location. That said, it’s a good ½ mile trek from the Ranger’s Station to Sea Camp Beach Campground, so be prepared for this slight, albeit long haul. I have to admit, hauling everything that you need to camp with by foot is a major drag, but trust me, if you plan well, you won’t mind the labor here, as you’ll get to the payoff soon enough.
Sea Camp Beach Campground is formed by a simple circle that is intersected by Sea Camp Road (the very pathway you are either walking or biking on), with sites #1–12 on the southern loop and sites #13-16 on the northern loop. There are 2 group sites, conveniently called Group South and Group North that have their own distinct paths just 1/8 mile before reaching the Sea Camp loop proper. Each campsite is allowed just 2 tents, but the grounds themselves for each site were very spacious and offered substantial privacy and distance in between sites. While primitive, you’ll still have a picnic table (some sites had 2), fire ring w/ fold-over grill (actually in really great condition), very good sized bear-proof food storage lockers, hanging trash or lantern pole and some very odd small sheltered stand that looked like an open-air bird house - we could not for the life of us figure out what it was for, other than for perhaps putting a lantern inside of, but alas, ours didn’t fit! Other than this, that’s it. You’ll have access to a community bathroom and shower facility where there is ‘drinking water’ although we used our own. Lastly, depending upon which site you have, the walk to the beach is just a short 20 minute walk away and features a brilliant wooden promenade and some of the most beautiful beachheads with next to zero crowds. Check-in and check-out are the same: 10am. Maximum # of people per site is 6.
Insider’s tips? I have a bunch for this particular campground: (1) If you have bikes, BRING’ EM – and even better, if you can outfit your bikes with attachments that will allow you to haul your own wagon or trollies by bike, then you’ll be completely set. But do ensure that your bikes have the right tires on them – you will want the wider, thicker tires that will make biking on sand trails easier than the slim tires you might be used to using on long-distance road biking. We were super glad we brought our own bikes as after speaking to other campers, they couldn’t bike as the waiting list at the bike rental was 2 days long; (2) Bring your insect repellant, citronella and mosquito foggers! Although you are somewhat near the ocean and would expect a decent breeze to keep the bugs from biting, trust me, every camping site at Sea Camp Beach Campground is in the thick of the island jungle and without proper repellant, you will have a miserable experience; (3) My cell carrier is AT&T and I had next to zero connectivity – which was great! But the real point here is to prepare not to be able to communicate with the outside world during your entire stay here; (4) There is solid shade in all of the campground sites that we saw, so you wouldn’t necessarily need to bring a tarp or worry about erecting a canopy of any sort, unless you wanted to be protected from potential rainfall; (5) While the ferry company will sell you firewood ($6/bundle), what little they did have was all wet, so we were glad we brought 3 firewood bundles; (6) For those who don’t want to camp, you’re still in luck as you can book a night or two at Greyfield Inn (the site for JFK Jr.’s wedding);(7) Cumberland Island is 18 miles long and 3 miles wide, so if you didn’t bring a bike, make sure you bring a great pair of hiking shoes / boots!; (8) The only electricity outlets you will find are located at the Ranger’s Station, so ensure you have USB chargers and / or a small generator; and (9) Either upon leaving St. Mary’s or returning from Cumberland Isle after what is hopefully nothing short of a fantastic camping experience, if you are in the mood for a good meal, then check out Riverside Café and Seagles for typical seafood plates or have an amazing breakfast at Cedar Oak Café, which offers up typical southern fare such as corned beef hash, grits, biscuits & gravy or new twists like banana foster oatmeal, which was nothing short of excellent.
Happy Camping!
GuideJekyll Island Campground is a wonderful park with many pros and cons. There are FHU, 50 amp, pull-thru sites with plenty of room to very tight, hard to get in back-in sites. The better sites are booked up way out, so you have to plan well in advance. Also, there are the mosquitos and sand gnats that do love that area. They're not as bad during the winter months.
The island provides plenty of activities, attractions and good restaurants (Driftwood Bistro). The island is a bicyclers heaven with miles of bike/walking trails over the whole island. The beaches are beautiful and not crowded. Check out Driftwood Beach.
There are also places to explore off the island, but you do have to pay a daily parking fee each time you enter the island. I would only buy the multi-day pass if you plan on leaving the island and returning everyday of your stay. I would recommend visiting St. Simons Island.
Guide
Right across the street from the entrance to Okefenokee Swamp. Take the sunset boat ride…totally worth it! The campground has laundry for $3 per load. They offer breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, even a bar. Excellent breakfast!Charlene was very nice! Would absolutely stay here again. FYI - they do NOT offer discount for Pro Dyrt. New owners and they have been trying to get that removed but no luck. Still worth it (after all, it’s only a 10% discount).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Brunswick, GA?
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.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Brunswick, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Brunswick, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
