GA · Southeast
Cumberland Island
Georgia's barrier island wilderness where wild horses roam Gilded Age mansion ruins and 18 miles of empty Atlantic beach. No cars, no resorts. Reached by ferry. One of the most underrated wilderness experiences in the eastern US.
- No cars, no resorts, no development. One of the most pristine beaches on the East Coast
- You'll almost certainly see the wild horses. Give them plenty of room: they're wild and they kick
- Camping at Stafford Beach puts you under a live oak canopy steps from the ocean
- History + wilderness combo: Carnegie-era mansions dissolving into forest
- Ferry access limits daily visitors to 300, so true seclusion on an Atlantic beach
Camping
National Seashore (permit campgrounds only)
No free camping right here: campsites run about $22 a night. Want to sleep free? The apps below show free spots on public land, though the nearest may be a drive away.
Explore the area on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Find more free spots
Get an app like iOverlander to find places to camp on public land for free in the states. Other campers post what's there, how rough the road is and whether a ranger moved them on.
- iOverlander (opens in a new tab)Free. Campsites reported by other travelers, with recent notes on access, signal and rangers.
- Campendium (opens in a new tab)Free to browse. A map of free campsites across the US, much of it on public land, with reviews.
Spots change. Read the newest reports and any posted rules before you set up, and pack out everything you bring in.
When to go
- January
- February
- March: best month
- April: best month
- May: best month
- June
- July: month to skip
- August: month to skip
- September
- October: best month
- November: best month
- December
WanderRank Scores
Daily Cost
$25 to $55
per day (food + transit)
Campsites: $22/night
Entry fee: $30
Plus gas for the drive
Recommended Stay
2 to 4
days · easy difficulty
Drive time from your airport
Avoid if
- You want easy beach access. The ferry books up months ahead in peak season
- You need amenities. There are no restaurants, stores, or running water at most camps
- Summer heat + bugs are not your thing. July/August is mosquito season in force