Best Tent Camping near Sapelo Island, GA
Tent campsites along the Georgia coast near Sapelo Island offer unique wilderness experiences on protected barrier islands. Two notable options include Cabretta Island Pioneer Campground on Sapelo Island and Sea Camp Campground on nearby Cumberland Island National Seashore. Both locations require ferry access and provide designated areas for tent camping with varying levels of amenities and wilderness immersion.
Access to tent campgrounds near Sapelo Island requires advance planning and boat transportation. Cabretta Island Pioneer Campground features established tent sites with some amenities including electrical hookups, a shower house with sinks and toilets, and a covered pavilion with picnic tables. Cumberland Island's tent-only camping options range from the more developed Sea Camp, with cold showers and potable water, to backcountry wilderness sites like Hickory Hill and Brickhill Bluff where campers must filter water and pack all supplies in and out. A visitor reported, "The sites are secluded and you can rent bikes to explore the island, but most of the main roads are sandy/dirt which made biking difficult."
The coastal tent camping experience offers rare wildlife encounters and pristine natural settings. Campsites at Cabretta are within walking distance of undeveloped beaches, while Cumberland Island features miles of unspoiled shoreline with limited visitor numbers. According to one camper, "We slept under Spanish moss covered trees and had a beach to ourselves during the day. It really felt like we had this gorgeous barrier island just for us." Wildlife sightings include wild horses, armadillos, and various bird species. Tent campers should prepare for high humidity, insects—particularly during summer months—and limited connectivity. Hanging food is necessary at most sites to deter raccoons and other wildlife. These tent-only areas provide a rare opportunity to experience protected coastal ecosystems with minimal development and crowd impact.
