Cumberland Island National Seashore

Vegetation holds dunes in place providing a barrier to erosion forces and creating essential interdune meadows to support island life.
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man and nature. Natives, missionaries, enslaved African Americans and Wealthy Industrialists all walked here. Cumberland Island is also home to over 9,800 acres of Congressionally designated Wilderness.
Map showing location of park.
Cumberland Island map showing Settlement area
Cumberland Island National Seashore Efforts to Transfer Ruckdeschel Collectio
Cumberland Island National Seashore will begin the process of cataloging and curating the natural and cultural resources collected by long-time island resident Carol Ruckdeschel.
Sand dunes covered with shrubs and grasses
Photo by NPS Photo
Alligator resting on a log in pond
Photo by NPS Photo
Ocean beach at sunrise
Photo by NPS Photo
large, white mansion behind oak trees draped with Spanish Moss
Photo by NPS Photo
rippled sands of a beach in front of pine tree covered bluffs
Photo by NPS Photo
huge oak trees and palm shrubs line a sand road
Photo by NPS Photo
brick and stone ruins of a large mansion at sunset under colorful clouds
Photo by NPS Photo
small white one room church, old red house in the background, under cloudy skies
Photo by NPS Photo
tidal creek at low tide surrounded by palm and oak trees
Photo by NPS Photo