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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/.
$25 - $125 / night
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.
Guide
First of all we stayed during thanksgiving week. The amount of families and kids having fun and exploring nature was so refreshing! The check in was quick and easy. Even though I messed up my reservation the campground made the accommodations available work for myself, my partner, and our dog. The walk from the camp to the beach was short and the bathhouse was close and clean as well! This was a great experience for us and a place every family should visit and try.
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.
GuideWe have stayed here several times over the past few years. It's very convenient and bear the beach. Very nice sites and plenty of shade for the summer months. The staff are very helpful and friendly. I gave it a 3 star only because we have had multiple problems with electric not keeping up with running the ac and microwave. This time we had an issue with the sewer hook up. It was so high above ground we had to raise our rear end of the RV to empty the tanks. We stayed at over 5 different sites. Everything is far to get to. You will need to drive or ride a bike. The bathrooms weren't cleaned during our two day stay even though the checklist in the bathroom said it was cleaned.
ScoutThis is public park. So not only campers allowed in. Nice campground. Very private sites. Lots of things to keep busy. Bathroom ammeties need to be updated. Unfortunately, they have a problem with the homeless stalking camps day and night. We noticed several people roaming around that didn't look to be camping or there for the day. Had a bike stolen from our site at 7 in the morning while we were in our camper. Very unsettling to know you are being stalked, especially with children... Homeless camp less than a mile away. We will not be returning.
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!
TravelerThe lush tropical vegetation and nearby incredible beaches, trails and other facilities, plus the welcoming, professional staff make Hanna Park a GREAT experience. What an amazing asset for the City of Jacksonville! This was our 3rd visit, and we stayed 3 nights -- now we hope for more time on our next visit! The website is informative and includes good descriptions of each campsite to assist in making reservations. The campground is clean, quiet and relaxing. Our campsite was level, private and convenient. Be sure to stroll on the beaches at sunset!
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.
GuideSites here have a good amount of shade which is great for summers in Florida. Check-in process is easy and park is clean and quiet. Close to beach and trails. A little bit of an obstacle course for bigger RVs with all the trees and narrow roads. This particular site is a little odd shaped. We have a 34' TT so I think a smaller rig would have an easier time setting up and more room. Even the 40' sites on this loop seem a little more narrow than our last one we stayed in between D and E. I would stay within those sites next time but still not a bad visit.
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.
RangerAwesome city campground in Jax Beach. Lots of trees and natural camp sites. One of our new fav places to stay. Quiet and relaxing.
Full hook ups (electric/water/sewer). Close to park beaches and lake. Nature trails nearby for walking or biking. Large camp store and food truck near front.
Sites and roads due flood in heavy rains (see pics), so try to find some that are on higher ground or at least run off the back of the site instead of flooding in front of it.
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..,
GuideThe beach is biking or walking distance! We caught the sunrise, so beautiful. The park just keeps going with many beach pull offs. The sites are close together, but campers are respectful and the staff were so helpful in booking our same day reservation. Great for the price, with electric and water hookups.
TravelerWith almost 300 sites this is a very busy Park. Its close to City of Jacksonville so gets a LOT of campers. The campground has very close-by access to miles of beautiful ocean-front beaches that we enjoyed fully! There are also lots of biking and hiking trails. Some sites are more level than others, and sizes vary as well. Also some sites have more privacy provided by the lush vegetation. (Park website has some description on each site to help with selection.) Access through the campground gate requires a special punch-in code so that adds a level of security.
We stopped overnight as a break from driving I-95, and the main negative was the distance and urban traffic to reach the Park. The campground has narrow 2-way access roads to the sites which must be a challenge for the big rigs.
We stayed in sites 026 and 174, on February 9 and February 23. Our nights were peaceful except for a heavy wind and rain storm.
We would stay again!
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.
Tent camping near Jekyll Island, Georgia, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the stunning landscapes and wildlife of the area. With several well-reviewed campgrounds nearby, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Jekyll Island, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jekyll Island, 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 Jekyll Island, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Jekyll Island, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
