Best Cabin Camping near Cumberland Island National Seashore

Most striking feature was the wonderful natural separation between the sites on the "west" loop. Sites are large and very level. Nice hiking trails and a bird watching site and nature center. They have an abundance of volunteers who keep things clean as well as do occasional drive byes in case you have an issue or need help.

The campground is less than 15 minutes from charming St. Mary's, GA. It has several wonderful restaurants and parks and is a short boat ride from Cumberland Island National Seashore. Unfortunately no dogs are allowed on the park operated boats.

Make sure you have bug spray.

We stayed here the Memorial Day week.  Great campground with spacious sites and very quiet.   Some of the sites have more privacy with the palmettos in between, but the site we were were at did not.   Sites are level, park is clean, bathhouses are clean.   Three bars of cell service at the campground.  The park has some  trails for hiking, a nature center, picnic areas, and of course access to the water for fishing and kayaking.  We rode our bikes around the park every day.  We especially liked the short river trail in the mornings and evenings - great views.   This campground is within an hour's drive of Jekyll Island and St. Simon's Island, as well as Florida beaches, which we visited.  We also took the ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore and spent a day hiking around the island - it was amazing.  See photos below.

Crooked River State Park is located near the town of St. Mary’s, Georgia, and very close to interstate 95. The park is very well maintained and the staff was pleasant and informative. The campground is divided into two areas designated as # 1 and # 2, all accessed via one way roads throughout the campgrounds. Area # 1 is treed with tall Georgia pines but no ground vegetation for privacy, beautiful but very open. Camping area # 2 is very private with lots space and vegetation between sites. We stayed at site 58 in area # 2 which is equipped with full hook ups and a long back in site. Since we stayed there the park has included sewer to about half of the sites, all on Camping area #2. The bath houses were very clean and well maintained daily, the laundry facilities were the same. There are some good walking trails throughout the park and an active boat ramp with a small floating pier/dock on the River.

There are numerous shopping areas and restaurants within a few miles of the park. The Cumberland Island National Seashore is also nearby and accessible on by boat but worth the effort to go. The Cumberland Queen docks downtown St. Mary’s and has a schedule for departure and return for day trips, you will need to take everything you need as there are NO items for sale on the island.

This area of SE Georgia is known for its population of sand gnats. They are very active in the mornings and evenings when the humidity and temperatures are high. The locals swear by Soft Sense lotion as a deterrent but you will have to decide for yourself. This is a very nice park from our experience, a hidden gem that is often overlooked.

Given the size of the RVs, this looks like a great family vacation destination. For us, the attraction was Cumberland Island which is a 45 minute ferry ride from St. Mary's GA (20 minutes from the campground).

Some Info About the Sites

• There are many pull through sites which have huge gravel pads.

• Back in sites have long parking pads.

• The grassy areas accompanying each site are spacious.

• We ended up in the middle (see map) on #3 because it's what was available. I recommend you stick to the outside of the loops. There are more opportunities for shade.

• You'll be closest to the water at sites 39, 41 or 42. There are woods behind you if you stick with the area that includes sites 11-27.

Amenities

• Water and electricity at all sites

• There is a restroom behind our site (#3) that is set up as men's/women's restrooms with 2 showers in each. One of the showers is handicapped accessible, but there is a nicer (newer) restroom across from site 48 and next to ADA site 46. There are 4 private restrooms (2 handicapped accessible) with toilet, sink and shower along with a laundry room with 2 washers and 2 dryers. The other restroom has a washer, dryer and utility sink between the men's and women's rooms.

• Dump station and trash dumpsters along with recycling bins

• Playground

• Golf cart paths

Fun Things To Do

• Visit Cumberland Island (see info below)

• Mini golf

• Bird watching - there's a bird blind for bird experts, novice watchers and photographers

• Boating and fishing on the Crooked River

• A few trails and an observation tower

• Nature center

Cumberland Island National Seashore: The only way to reach the island is via boat. A day trip via ferry from St. Marys is definitely worth the trip. You need to bring food for the day because there's no place to buy ANYTHING....really! You can get water in a few places, but we brought water to start the day.  Our 8 mile hike took us south on the island to the Dungeness Ruins and further south before we turned around and headed across the island to the beach on the ocean side. There were probably only a couple hundred people on the island, and we only saw a few people on the beach. We saw lots of wildlife (feral horses, snakes, deer, armadillo) on the trails and in open areas. We hiked through the Sea Camp campground which had beautiful sites. If you want to stay overnight on Cumberland Island, you'll have to bring your tent and all your food.

From hiking trails two camping fishing kayaking cycling and disc golf!!! Primitive tent camping RV camping or cozy cabins great for the whole family. Reasonably priced. The very friendly staff. A great starter camping location or Family Getaway. I give four stars because the restrooms are not up kept.

Sometimes you need to look (and go) long and far to find the perfect slice of heaven. That would describe Deep Bend Landing – with its complete out-of-the-way location, if you weren’t careful, you’d just drive right by this hidden 100 acre campground gem. It’s a simple place, with an easy layout and the sort of down-to-earth, lovely people that will welcome you and immediately make you feel as though you belong right from the start. 

Have an RV? Well, there’s plenty of spots(and all come with 20 / 30 / 50 electrical amp, water and sewage hook-ups along with picnic table, fire ring and a proper dump station). But if you are of the ilk that needs the perfectly flat, poured concrete slab to call your home for the evening, then this place may not be for you. While immaculately maintained, the grounds are natural, so expect gravel and easy to maneuver pathways. 

Need an RV? Well, they have a few that they’ll rent you for your stay. Don’t like RV’s? They have that covered too. They’ll rent you either a river house or one of their cabins, from a traditional, rustic wooden cabin to a full-fledged 3BR house. They even offer up ‘Grandpa’s Cabin’ which could definitely qualify as ‘pioneer’ if not outright ‘primitive.’ And, if like me, you want to pitch a tent, you’ll be delighted to find tons of spots on nice flat rolling land underneath crowded ancient oaks blocking the sun from beating down on your brow. 

From an amenities standpoint, the RV designated spots have all the hook-ups you would need and every, single, spot has its own tree-lined ceiling with a natural window to see the sparkling stars each night. Oh, and there’s the alluring black waters of the Satilla River that runs through this place, of which there’s about a half dozen spots that rock up to this waterfront (including Grandpa’s Cabin), which I would highly recommend. There’s two very simple and easy small boat launches at both ends of the property that will send you off to explore an exquisite, blissful natural experience undisturbed by anything other than what God himself has planted or fowl / animal he has sent to remind you of what a slice of heaven can be on earth. Net-net, if you want to get away from it all and not hear traffic (or any noise for that matter from the modern world) or worry about getting a good cell signal (let alone WiFi connection) then this is the perfect spot for you. 

Insider’s tip? If you feel confined by the tight needle-like Satilla, I highly recommend an early morning kayak dip in nearby Kings Bay (it’s less than a 10 minute drive from the campground). And if you grow tired of dogs and beans by the fireside, I highly recommend either Scott’s BBQ & Grill, which is a must-stop for ribs, smoked chicken and potato bomb (don’t ask, just order and eat!). 

Happy Camping!

We stayed on the cabins, with the whole family. Mom's, aunt's and kids. 3 to 80 years old and all had fun.

The staff was very friendly and helpful. The little cabin was new and very nice.The pancake breakfast was a nice feature. The location was good for passing through. There were lots of activities for kids and the campground was well maintained.

We stayed in a cabin on this camping trip it is kid friendly with lots of programs for the children. We walked nature trails saw a wildlife program played putt putt and kayaked. We put in at the parks boat ramp and fished it had its own cleaning station. We swam in the springs which were not overcrowded and we even got to see manatees. It was a great trip.

We spent a weekend here at crooked River State Park. The campground was clean, the bathrooms were clean. There were many amenities and lots of things to offer like fishing, hiking, putt putt as well as stores close by. The campground is open however sites are very far away from each other. There are plenty of pull through sites. The cabins looked cute and cozy although we did not stay in them. We will definitely be back with the kids.

We spent a pleasant long weekend here in this 2-br cottage with a peaceful view of the river. Full kitchen, screened-in porch, and a fire ring outside. We t in a short nature walk along the river, but this cottage made an especially great jumping off point to catch the ferry in St. Mary’s for a day trip (with bikes) to Cumberland Island. It poured the whole day, so we felt especially grateful for the dry cabin and ability to cook food upon return. Would definitely return and would bring the kayaks to use in the park next time. Be sure to also check out the tabby sugar works ruins just down the road from the park!

We stayed her in order to go to Cumberland Island but I loved this park! The roads were paved throughout which is not typical in a state park. The sites were large and we had a full hookup with sewer connection. There was a fishing pier, boat ramp and bait shop. There was also a nice mini-golf course but we couldn’t play due to COVID. The bathhouse area was nice and clean and the laundry was in the same area. There was lots of wild life around. The campground is right on the river with beautiful views. I’m addition to the campsites there were also very nice cabins for rent. My children enjoyed playing in the playgrounds and walking the trails looking at wildlife. There was a nature center on site as well.

Located in Jacksonville, Florida this state park is one of the most impressive places we’ve stayed. The surroundings make you feel as if you’re staying in a jungle. The park is massive and offers cabins, RV sites and tent sites. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well kept. The park offers a variety of activities including mountain biking trails, access to a lake and several beaches. We spent one day fishing and had a great time! Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table, along with full hook ups. The store has everything you could possibly need and sells firewood and propane. Book online to see photos of what each site looks like to make sure you get as much space as you need for your size rig.

Weary-eyed after driving up or down I-95 for countless hours, but don't want the hassle of getting too far off the interstate to find a decent place to rest your weary head… then look no further! 

St. Mary's KOA is just a stone's throw once you get off the highway (just 2 lefts and 1 right and you'll arrive at your destination). While KOA's are very well known for being family-friendly, complete with all the bells and whistles to distract the kiddos, this one offers convenience, decent amenities (although some updating of the roads and the campsites themselves are needed) and an open playground for camping. 

While the upside is its convenient on- and off-access from the interstate, that's also the downside: you'll hear traffic throughout your stay. But if you can get beyond that, then this could be a good stop, complete with a mini golf course, pool and waterslide and a number of other distractions. 

The main office has a store complete with just about anything you would need, and there's even some WigWam teepees and semi-permanent cabins on the property that you can rent.  Happy Camping!

I live close to Crooked River State Park and have visited it several times over the years. They provide bike rentals ($12) if you dont have some with you! There is putt-putt golf as well as several hiking/biking trails to explore!

By far the most clean and friendly park in Florida. Fun for every age from hiking, white sand untouched beachs, kayaking, horse back riding, cycling, history, camping, biking, Segway tours, pavilion rentals, Driftwood beaches, wildlife viewing and fishing, rich history. By far the best hidden gem Florida has to offer!

For SP's like this, there should really be a 6 star rating for this park to be properly ranked! I don’t think I’ve ever come across anything quite like Crooked River State Park located in SE Georgia – and the more I poked around as I explored the massive grounds of this gem and asked from the local rangers, the more and more impressed I became.  Whether driving an RV, toting a 5th Wheel or looking to pitch a tent, either in an established, traditional campground setting or in a primitive hike-in oasis, you won't have any issues finding the perfect spot to get lost in nature here at Crooked River SP.

While this SP lends itself moreso to the RV’ing crowd (the # of RV spots seriously outweighed the # of tent campsites), there are several very decent options for tent campers like myself, who either want to drive in or, for those who prefer to add a bit more struggle and discomfort to their nature experience, they also offer primitive or pioneer tent camping as well. Bordering the, um, well, crooked river, the campgrounds have a fantastic river view (as well as excellent water access points, for those hauling boats, flotillas and yachts behind their vehicle) – and check this out: there’s even a bait shop near the boat launch run by the SP, so no need to dig up your own bait before arriving here.

Surrounding you throughout the entire park are fantastic amounts of vegetation, trees accompanied by plenty of four-legged furry critters, high-flying foul as well as even a honey farm, where the rangers make and sell some of the most amazing honey on-premises. When is the last time you were able to buy honey from a park ranger at any state park?!

Oh, but it gets better – especially if you’re coming here in a big group: (1) You can rent the entire pioneer camp area (that’s 3 sites somewhat removed from the general population, that can easily accommodate up to 5 families; (2) There’s 5-6 group shelters (and by shelter, I don’t just mean an open-walled shelter with a few picnic tables) that look brand spanking new and come complete with a ton of amenities, including 4 walls, their own bathrooms and meeting rooms; and (3) Group activities, like visiting the Nature Center (yes, they have one of these too), the Bird Outlook Landing (for those folks that like to use their binoculars) and Miniature Golf. Wait, did he just say, Miniature Golf?!  In a State Park?!  Why yes, I did.  And the ranger I spoke of previously will rent you clubs and a golf ball at a price that is so incredibly cheap, you’ll be tempted to rent them throughout your entire stay.

For those families or groups who like the idea of going camping, but who actually don’t want to camp, but receive all of the benefits of camping and being in the middle of nature, but who want all of the uncomfortableness removed from the equation, then the SP rents either stand alone houses (I almost called them cabins, but they’re not - they’re actually houses) or duplexes. Both have access to a screened-in lanai (you know, to get away from those pesky bugs you might actually encounter out in the wild) as well as a brand new playground for the kiddos.

While we’re on the subject of "Wow, I can’t believe SP's actually have this!" line of descriptions, here I will add that the restroom facilities might be the most immaculate I have ever come aross (sorry, Van Damme in Cali, these guys here in Georgia have you beat, but just by a small bit, as they don’t charge you 5 quarters for a 5 minute shower – yes, the state actually gives you a free shower if you pay the price of admission).  

But the excitement and surprises don’t stop here.  No, things get even better!  This campground even offers a curated sunset cruise aboard one of their very own skiffs (comfortably accommodating families up to 6 people) and will let you actually bring a bit of booze on the cruise (6-pack or a bottle of wine – but I got a ‘wink wink’ when I asked about a flask of alcohol, so be discreet, homies), but be sure to tip your ranger captain, as these outdoor experts are truly in a league of their own.

From well paved roads, to immaculately kept grounds, this place has so much to offer just about anyone who is looking to do some 'outdoorsing,' but wants a premium, well-groomed experience. Here's the straight truth about this Crooked environ: I can’t wait to get back to this place soon. 

Happy Camping!

Super close to Okefenokee Swamp (actually, any closer, you’d be in it!). Strategically located right down the street to the park entrance, this is likely the very closest to camping near Okefenokee you’ll come. Of course, you could try to camp INSIDE Okefenokee, but that’s quite challenging as you’ll need to book well in advance and kayak / canoe/ boat to get to the primitive sites that are there (more on this in another review from inside Okefenokee). Here, you don’t have to think about anything. Just rock up, pitch your tent, park your RV or open the door to the wooden cabins they rent. The place is incredibly compact and tight, but if you don’t mind rubbing elbows with your neighbors in exchange for waking up early the next morning to be one of the first to get zapped by the mosquitos in the south’s most infamous swampland, then you’ve come to the right place. Great news is that you are far enough removed from civilization, you won’t miss it (or hear/ see it!), but if you do need anything, Okefenokee Pastimes has you covered with a campground store where you can find those commonly forgotten things, get snacks, drinks, candy, ice cream, ice and even trinkets from local craftsman as well as some beginner and advanced astronomy equipment from time to time as well as a view into one of the darkest, natural skies on the East cost (this place is also rated as one of the top 10 in the Country!).  And if you can't find what you need here at Pastimes, no worries, the nearby town of Folkston has you covered with its many restaurants (mostly fast food joints), gas stations, grocery stores and typical small town shopping.

Pastimes has excellent paved / milling parking pads & roads, built-in fire pits at all sites, relatively new / well-maintained wooden picnic tables as well as natural grass boundaries that both separates and surrounds all sites. There are many wildflower areas to attract pollinators and hummingbirds (with the campground's own distinct, bespoke hummingbird area), a small patio / dock area where you can feed the fish, watch the hummingbirds and / or just sit back, soak it all in and relax. A covered, lit pergola, complete with picnic tables, built-in benches and a top-end charcoal grill to cook at while overlooking the pond area.  There's also a small, fenced-in dog park that's perfect for keeping your furry friends active and engaged (they even provide pet toys!).  Nearby, there's a small playground, swing set and small yard game areas (think horseshoes, badminton, volleyball, jenga and jarts!).  Beyond playtime activities, there's a proper laundry room with 2 sets of washers and dryers (with only 1 key given to a single guest at a time, so you have a real sense of privacy. This place scores extra points for having a book exchange and even offers up DVD's and VCR tape rentals (take that Blockbuster!).  The best part about Pastimes?  Unlike many other campgrounds that are well lit, Pastimes actually has a policy where they turn off all their lights at night so as not to contribute to light pollution and to preserve the most amazing star-gazing experiences you will ever have (OK, at least hear near Okefenokee - sorry, star-gazing in the Nordics is still the best IMHO!).

Insider’s tip? You’ve made it this close to Okefenokee, it’s important that you get out early – that’s when you’ll see the gators at their most active and we’re you’ll land some great photos – albeit from the bow of a canoe or kayak, which you can easily rent at the refuge itself.  Also, while at Pastimes, do ensure you get out to spy on the many dragonflies, shouldered hawks, butterflies, squirrels, barn owls, armadillos and woodpeckers (obviously, be sure to pack your binoculars).

Happy Camping!

Camped in site 141 - Pull thru sites with Full hook up in a 24' Travel Trailer. Just a stones throw from a huge lake for kayaking and fishing. Short 10 minute walk to 2 miles of private beach. 6 miles of hiking trails and over 20 miles of Biking Trails. Just a short 15 minutes from Downtown Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach! Full Camp store with Kayak and Bike Rentals.

Some sites are small- close together but Row I, J and K are the best!!

We came to this park because we were looking (as usual) for a park with paddling, hiking and biking. We were also curious about Cumberland island and wanted to get information on the ferry and if this park could be a good homebase to use. (We knew the ferry to Cumberland Island was not too far away from this park). We were here in March. We were not troubled by the no see-ums but we had a lot of overcast cooler days while we were here. . 🎆The highlights of this park were plentiful- Kayaking with dolphins , beautiful trails, nice views from campsites, adequate hiking, fun destination biking to St Marys, full bait and tackle shop, outdoor fitness center, mini golf.

🥾Hiking- (4 miles of trails) there are 5-6 trails not including golf cart trails and birding trails- .

🚴‍♀️🚵Biking- all the trails and golf cart trails were user friendly with our hybrid bikes. We biked to St. Mary’s to the Cumberland ferry departure site from the campground. 9 miles of the 10 mile trip was on protected sidewalk/multi use type sidewalk. St Mary’s has a bunch of super cute restaurants and souvenir stores and Museums. (Check opening hours of museums before you visit) Nice place to spend a couple of hours.

🛶Water activities-paddling/fishing/swimming. Kayak drop off is a short distance from campground - (too far to manually wheel our kayaks over each day) so we locked them up at the boat ramp area.
📌You are dependent on tides when you are kayaking here - they are pretty strong! The park will supply you with a tide schedule and which direction to Kayak. Good fishing off the shore and floating dock area.

🚍🏕Campground: The gravel campsites were large and spacious. There were full hookups available- even 100AMP but we did not get one. (Choose premium for sewer too) Cell reception with our Verizon hotspots was good. Washer/dryer cost $.75 . There isn’t a playground at the campsite area but there is one on each side just a short walk away. There is also a pioneer campground area for group camping.

🏡 there are also 11 cabins for rent with screen porches, basic amenities to include cable- there are more detailed descriptions are online at ReserveAmerica.

Happy Camping! Pamela and Keith