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I fell in love with Cumberland Island in the 8^th grade.  Our school took us there for a class field trip and from the moment I heard there were horses I was in, 100%. Over the years I’ve go back any time I get a chance especially since it’s really a perfect day trip from Savannah.

What you need to know for getting there…

The drive is a short 2 hour drive straight down I-95 from Savannah. You really couldn’t ask for a better drive, once you’re on 95 take it to exit 1, which is the exit for St. Mary’s.  After you get off the interstate it’s about a 15 minute drive to the parking lot where you will leave your car for the day. The parking lot is a dirt lot and is free for the day, it’s approximately one block from the visitor’s center (where you check in) and approximately 4 blocks from the boat dock. Check in for the ferry starts an hour before the ferry departs, not earlier so there’s really no point in arriving any earlier than that.  The waterfront area is nicely manicured and has a great playground. BOOK YOUR FERRY TICKET IN ADVANCE!!  They tend to sell out and driving down there to be told you can’t go would be a huge waste of time. 

When you book your ferry ticket you are required to book a departure and a return time. As of this posting, the round trip cost per person is $40/adult, $30/children (6-15), and free for 5 and under. The ferry ride is approximately 45 minutes each way. The National Park Service charges $10 per adult (16 and up) to visit the park. You can pay the NPS fee when you check in for the ferry or you can pay in advance on the NPS website.

Cumberland Island Ferry Website 

Things to Bring

SUNSCREEN!!! Even in the winter, even when it’s overcast, even at night!! Bring the sunscreen

Bug Spray

Food – whether you bring a picnic or just snacks there is nowhere on the island to buy supplies

Refillable water bottle – the island has 3 bathroom/water fountain stops along the southern loop trail

Trash bag(s) – there are NO trash cans on the island, if you bring it on please take it off

Change of clothes – there’s a beach, if your kids are anything like mine they will get wet

Diapers/wipes/misc. things – you know what you and your family do and don’t need

Camera – or your phone – or both (the island has excellent cell service)

The South End Loop

For the best day trip experience the 4.3 mile South End Loop is the way to go.  You get a little bit of everything; forest, oak lined roads, the Dungeness ruins, sand dunes, beach, wildlife, etc.

The path from Sea Camp dock to the beach is stroller friendly, probably not an umbrella stroller but we’ve seen folks with a Graco stroller and they didn’t seem like they were having a hard time.  The River Trail and the dirt road to the Dungeness ruins is stroller friendly, you might have a few spots where you had to give a little extra push on the River Trail but it would be manageable. The only portion of the whole loop I don’t think I would want to push a stroller on would be parts of the 0.9 mile walk from the ruins to the beach. This portion of the loop contains soft loose sand, if you have a good stroller, lots of patience, or a helper you could probably do it.  I say this but also want to note I’ve done it. I had to make Ada walk this portion to unload the weight and make it a little easier but it’s manageable. Also – just when you think you can’t possibly push through more sand there’s a beach boardwalk. 

4.3 miles seems like a lot, I know, especially with kids, BUT I’ve gone a few times with kids and there are so many different fun aspects of the walk the kids don’t seem to notice the difference. The last time I visited Christopher had just turned 7 and Ada was almost 4. They walked the whole time and didn’t whine about the walking. Last year I took them with my Bob stroller and they rode some but mostly they walked/played. I’ve also done this trip 8 months pregnant with a 3 year old and managed just fine!

How I “do” Cumberland Island

The ferry stops at the Dungeness Dock and the Sea Camp Dock. I get off at the Sea Camp Dock – it’s the 2nd stop.  There is a ranger station here with bathrooms, a water fountain, and picnic tables.  We take a few minutes for bathroom breaks then head down the River Trail. It is a nice walk through the woods and even though there are a ton of people on the boat heading over we typically only saw a handful on the trail. The River Trail ends at the Dungeness Dock.  The area is a nice size field and has a bathroom and water fountain. From there, continue down the 0.5 mile oak lined dirt road toward the Dungeness ruins.

When we finish playing around the ruins area we head toward the beach.  This 0.9 section of the journey starts with a nice shaded walk past additional ruins, has a bathroom/water fountain area, and a cemetery along the way. Once the walk leads you out of the woods the sand dunes provide a slight challenge to the otherwise easy walking.  The sandy portion is not that long and is no worse than walking in the loose sand at any beach. Along the way the park service has provided a board walk which makes the walk easier. Through the day just keep an eye on the time, I try to be at the beach by 2:30 when we go so everyone can spend time playing at the beach but not be stressed about making it back to the dock by 4:30.

The beach provides an excellent place to find nice unbroken shells, just make sure there’s nothing living in a shell before you stash it in your bag to take home. We always walk the 1.5 miles down the beach to the black and white marker pole, which marks the entrance of the trail back to Sea Camp Dock, before letting anyone get in the water.

This trip is always different, that’s why I love it so much! Over the years, I’ve only NOT seen horses one time and even then my friends and family still had a blast spending time together. This trip is great for a small group or large group, there are so many options for where to go and how to see the island. If you or your kids really can’t do the full 4.3 mile loop just doing the ruins or the beach is worth the trip and since everyone takes the same ferry over and back you could split up a larger group without feeling like you left someone behind.