Cumberland Island, Georgia’s Best Kept Secret

They call it a place that time forgot, and this description would be quite accurate. Cumberland Island is a National Seashore, accessible only by watercraft, and off the coast of Georgia. Occupancy on the island is limited, and motorized vehicles are not permitted. It is home to feral horses, left behind by earlier settlers; as well as deer, hogs, armadillo, squirrels, and numerous other wildlife. It is the getaway that many do not know exists, and regulars can’t live without.

Cumberland Island is situated just off of the Georgia coast, across the inter coastal waterway. It is 17.5 miles long, and is accessible only by ferry or private boat. The island is laden with beautiful walking & biking paths, and the only motorized vehicles that are used on the island are operated for government use, by the National Parks service personnel.

Upon a visit to the island you would most likely step foot onto one of the docks erected by the Parks service. Walking along the dock you might look down to the beaches below and notice the thousands of Fiddler Crabs in their native habitat. Off in the sand you may get a glimpse of the feral horses that have lived on the island since the 1800’s, when the island was home to the Carnegie family, and a working plantation. As you leave the dock area, you may choose to visit the museum dedicated to the island, rich in the history of the family that once made this island their home. You may also visit the ranger station with their numerous displays of local wildlife, shells and sharks teeth. The island is a wildlife haven with no modern conveniences, such as cars or motorcycles, to scare animals out of their habitat.

When you leave the docking and ranger station areas, you can not help but notice the utter quiet. It is amazingly peaceful, and something that you can not soon forget. While you walk the Palmetto, and Live Oak, laden paths you can’t help but feel total relaxation. It’s a quiet and peace that most humans of the 21st century can not even imagine.

The innumerous paths that criss-cross the island can take you to multiple destinations. The island boasts a wonderful campground with all of the amenities most campers are used to, including cold showers and a fully equipped bathroom. Other paths lead you to the ruins of Dungeness, a one-time mansion that was destroyed by arsonists in the 1970’s. The beaches are indescribably beautiful, and the shells that wash ashore can not compare to any modern day beach with public access, you may even catch sight of a dolphin swimming off-shore.

Cumberland is a camper’s dream, a hiker’s paradise, a soul-searcher’s get-away. Opportunities abound for all types of travelers, and a visit to the island is guaranteed not to disappoint you. It’s a place that time forgot, but you won’t.