Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island is an unspoiled paradise. A campers' fantasy, place for family day trips and secluded retreat for couples – it's no wonder the wealthy Carnegie family used Cumberland as a retreat (Dungeness Ruins) in the 1800s. The 36,415 acres consist of marsh, mudflats and tidal creeks. Plus, 17 miles of wide, sandy beach that you'll likely have to yourself. The interior has maritime forest, and mysterious jagged tree-lined pathways that would be at home in a Game of Thrones episode.
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Cumberland Island National Seashore
Top choice
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
26.37 MILES
Deposit your fee in the blue envelope and pull into the lone parking lot at this stark but lovely park. Take your camera on the short trail to Boneyard…
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Little Talbot Island State Park
27.57 MILES
This pristine island (which despite the name is almost the same size as Big Talbot Island) has 5 miles of unspoiled beaches, river otters, marsh rabbits,…
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11.1 MILES
Although construction commenced in 1847, rapid technological advancements rendered Fort Clinch's masonry walls obsolete by as early as 1861, when the fort…
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28.94 MILES
Tour portions of the oldest standing plantation house in Florida as well as the remains of 23 tabby-construction slave cabins at this former cotton and…
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Fort George Island Cultural State Park
29.72 MILES
Although the exact location of the fort erected by the British in 1736 remains uncertain, the island still bears its name. In pre-WWII glory days,…
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12.38 MILES
Run by a staff of peppy University of Georgia science students, the Tidelands is a kid-friendly nature center with some neat display cases on local…
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Amelia Island Museum of History
13.33 MILES
Housed in the former county jail (1879–1975), this oral-history museum is tiny but has informative exhibits exploring Native American history, the Spanish…
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7.93 MILES
This derelict, but spectacular, mansion was built by Thomas Carnegie and his wife, Lucy, in 1884. It became the base of a vibrant social scene, a…
Nearby attractions
1.33 MILES
Cumberland Island's pristine, expansive and almost-empty beach runs for 17 miles. There's ample opportunity to see wildlife here. Look out for osprey,…
7.56 MILES
Used by the Carnegies to store ice, which was cut from frozen ponds and lakes in the winter months. The structure is now a small museum with information…
7.93 MILES
This derelict, but spectacular, mansion was built by Thomas Carnegie and his wife, Lucy, in 1884. It became the base of a vibrant social scene, a…
11.1 MILES
Although construction commenced in 1847, rapid technological advancements rendered Fort Clinch's masonry walls obsolete by as early as 1861, when the fort…
5. Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum
11.55 MILES
If you have time to spare after checking in for the ferry, this little museum offers some background info on the area's military history, plus early…
11.62 MILES
Learn about St Marys 'Silent Service' through a collection of 20,000 artifacts, including vintage submarine equipment, war relics and deep-sea diving…
12.25 MILES
Waterslides, lazy rivers, wave pools and other aquatic attractions await you and the kids at Summer Waves. Plus, a gift shop and fast-food outlets.
8. 4-H Tidelands Nature Center
12.38 MILES
Run by a staff of peppy University of Georgia science students, the Tidelands is a kid-friendly nature center with some neat display cases on local…