Best Tent Camping near Jekyll Island, GA

Jekyll 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!

Nice secluded campground where each site is set back and nestled into a saw palm clearing and equipped with a picnic table, fire ring/grill and food cache box (an elevated roofed chicken wire cage). This campground is super easy to get to from the ferry, less than a mile walk (about ½ mile). You are responsible for carrying all of your own gear to the campgrounds so you’re want to pack it all in a backpack, bring your own wagon or hope to try and borrow one of the wagons they have at the ranger station (they do have a lot, but they get taken pretty quickly). Once you’re in the campgrounds there is a nice short trail directly onto the ocean side beach, which is wonderful for catching the sunrise. Another nice feature about this (compared to the other north primitive sites on the island) is that they are the closest and a relatively short walk/hike to the Dungeness Ruins. If you stay for a while or have the time head up to the northern end and visit the Plum Orchard Mansion (14 mile round trip) as most people don't and you'll likely get an almost private tour (we thought we would right up until the very last moment when another small group showed up). If you want to explore more of the island in a short period of time I’d suggest biking. You can bring your own ($10 fee) or rent bikes from the ferry personal ($16 day, $20 overnight). If you are renting, I’d suggest renting them the day before (overnight) so you can then explore a lot more of the island first thing in the morning before the day trippers arrive on the ferry.

This campground is the only campground on the island where you’ll have access to potable water, restrooms and cold showers so if you want to stay here definitely make reservations. The 16 smaller & 2 group sites are all located off some main paths situated in little clearings of the saw palmettos giving them a little bit of privacy. The northern half of the loop is more separated than the southern but all the sites are located under the trees so you'll get a decent amount of shade/wind cover no matter where you.

You don’t reserve a specific site when you make your reservation but get to pick your site from the remaining open sites after a nice long introduction/video from the camp host once you arrive. So you don’t fully know what you’ll be able to select until you’re there.

Facilities

·       These are tent only primitive campsites with the standard uncovered picnic table and fire ring with a grate and/or a grill and your chicken wire cache box to keep they racoons out of your food.

·       Camp fires are only permitted at Sea Camp & Stafford Beach campgrounds. You must use designated fire rings. You may gather dead and down wood or purchase bundles of firewood on the ferry.

·       Flush restrooms and potable water.

·       Dish/food washing sink area

·       There are actually some electrical plugs hidden about that I say someone charging there phone in at one point.

·       No Pets: Only service animals are permitted in campgrounds.

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.

"SITE# D16, Back-In, FHU, 50, 30, 20 Amp and Stable, Water, Waste, LENGTH OF STAY: Stayed 2 Nights, RATE:$54.55/ Night with Veteran/ 10% Discount, CHECK-IN: 02:00 PM, CHECK-OUT: 12:00 PM STAFF: Friendly and Helpful, PARK IMPRESSIONS: Very Nice, We would stay here again ROADS: Asphalt, MANEUVERABILITY: Adequate, RV PAD: Dirt, ESTIMATED RV PAD LENGTH: 45 Feet, Tow Vehicle Could NOT Stay Connected but Parking at Site, SITE SLOPE: Level, No Leveling Blocks, Had to disconnect Tow Vehicle, PEDESTAL PLACEMENT: Center of site length, SHADE: 85%, GRASS AREA: No, Natural fallen leaves, DESIGNATED PET AREA: Not Fenced, PICNIC TABLE: Yes, FIRE RING: Yes, VERIZON Signal(bars): LTE-3, SPEED: 183 Mbs Download, 10.2 Mbs Upload, T-MOBILE Signal(bars): 5G-3, SPEED: 242 Mbs Download, 13.8 Mbs Upload, WIFI, OTA TV CHANNELS: 40, CABLE TV: No, PLAYGROUND: Yes, POOL: No, WATER FEATURE: Atlantic, FIREWOOD: Yes, BATH HOUSE: Clean and Contemporary, LAUNDRY: Clean and Contemporary,, STORE: Yes, CLUBHOUSE: Yes, PROPANE AVAILABILITY: Yes,$10 to get on the island. Very pretty campground setting. Quiet at night. Community room and a large assembly room. Well stocked camp store but no food. They do sell some beer, wine, ice cream and a few souvenirs. Fire wood$12/ bundle. Bike rental. Lots of bike trails around the island. Laundry$2.75 Wash,$2.75 Dry, Rig washing permitted(within reason- no floods). Beautiful island with a number of beach bars and restaurants. Lots of beaches but Atlantic here is brownish water due to river discharge. RIG: Ford F350 Dually Long Bed, 42ft- 17,000 lb 5th Wheel, Total length of rig= 59 ft"

Camping on Cumberland island for 8 days is an experience you will never forget. It rained every day while we were there and past clothing not drying it was still an amazing trip. Wild horses running on the beach is something to see. The ruins of an 1800s mansion built by a Carnagie that burned in 1959 is also one of those mysterious places that conjure emotions and kick the imagination in gear. Palm trees filling in the canopy of the largest stand of live oaks left in U.S. that all have spanish moss hanging in them like no movie production set designer could ever replicate make you feel like you time jumped to a jurassic age. Armadillo are scurrying around minding their own business dragging their noses through the sandy dirt eating ant trails and the only problem to deal with is Raccoons have learned how to unzip tents when they are unoccupied. Food will dissapear if you dont use the bear boxes each site has for food storage. Walking out on beach from tent every morning just to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic ocean while crab boats chug along being part of the scenery as the sun rises, you are first and only person on an 18 mile long beach until around 10 a.m. 7 out of 8 mornings, which means you get first dibs on shells left for you by mother nature overnight. I recommend this camp to everyone. Mosquitos are not as bad as we were told.

Had a perfect camping experience with my son at mid-august. Our spot was easy to find( which is important when coming back to the site at night), spacious, clean, quiet, and had a direct personal path to the restrooms/shower/laundry house. Had a nice fire ring ( we purchased a bundle across the street at the rangers station. He was very helpful in explaining where things were). Even had a clothesline set up. The beach was right across the street and we were allowed to go anytime ( no cars after the park closed though. But we could walk there so no biggie). The ranger told us it was the most beautiful beach in north Florida and he was correct. Awesome time Saw flying fish and a group of low flying seagulls ( to catch the flying fish). Only a short drive to the skatepark in Jacksonville. Wish we could have stayed longer but plan to return this year. Highly recommended!

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!