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Cumberland Island National Seashore: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a National Seashore in Georgia, and the island can only be reached by boat[5][6]. NPS lists an entrance fee of $15 per person[7].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Per Person[7] | $15 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[8].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[9].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[10] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[10] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[10] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[10] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[10] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[10] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[10] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[10] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[10] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS lists the park as open around the clock, all year[6]. The visitor center, ferry and private boat docks keep their own hours, so check each one before you go[6]. NPS describes July as the warmest month, averaging a high near 90 degrees F[11]. January is the coldest month, averaging a low near 45 degrees F[11]. In 2025 the busiest month was March with 9,711 recreation visits[1]. The quietest month was October with 81[1]. NPS also points visitors to its Current Conditions page for a local forecast[11].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 3,635 |
| February | 5,503 |
| March | 9,711 |
| April | 8,505 |
| May | 6,445 |
| June | 5,357 |
| July | 6,935 |
| August | 2,887 |
| September | 4,157 |
| October | 81 |
| November | 3,171 |
| December | 3,912 |
Camping
NPS and Recreation.gov list 5 campgrounds here[3]. Sea Camp Campground has 18 sites and Stafford Beach Campground has 10[3]. Hickory Hill and the second wilderness campsite each have 4 sites[3]. NPS lists nightly individual-site fees from $9 to $22[3].
- Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits, 47 sites[3]
- Sea Camp Campground, 18 sites
- Stafford Beach Campground, 10 sites
- Hickory Hill Wilderness Campsite, 4 sites
- Yankee Paradise Wilderness Campsite, 4 sites
Pets and dogs
Where pets are allowed, the national NPS rule has them kept in a crate or cage or on a leash of six feet or less[12]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[12]. Each park can close more areas to pets, and NPS marks pets as permitted on 0 of the 25 things to do it lists here[13][12].
Before you go
- Entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment[9].
- The America the Beautiful pass is accepted for entrance[8]. The fee is waived for a pass holder plus three adults, and you must show the pass at check-in[7].
- NPS says 4 of the things to do need a reservation[13].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm on the official NPS page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Cumberland Island National Seashore?
- NPS lists an entrance fee of $15 per person[7]. It is cashless, so plan to pay by card or mobile payment[9].
- Does the America the Beautiful pass work here?
- Yes, NPS says the pass is accepted for entrance[8]. The fee is waived for a pass holder plus three adults, and the pass must be shown at check-in[7].
- How much is the Resident Annual Pass?
- NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80 for US citizens and residents[10]. The Senior Annual Pass is listed at $20[10].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 72,240, 2022: 64,387, 2023: 73,812, 2024: 64,706, 2025: 60,299. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Campgrounds in Cumberland Island National Seashore (list on this page). National Park Service
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 3 (Mainland Museum, Mainland Visitor Center, Sea Camp Ranger Station). National Park Service
- Cumberland Island National Seashore is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Seashore) in Georgia. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Cumberland Island National Seashore: The park is open 24 hours a day, all year. The island is only accessible by boat. The visitor center, other facilities, ferry operations, and docks for private boats all have separate hours, however;... National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $15. National Park Service
- Cumberland Island National Seashore accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Cumberland Island National Seashore are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Cumberland Island National Seashore. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 25 things to do at Cumberland Island National Seashore: Hike the Southend Loop, Plum Orchard Tour, Plan a Backpacking Trip, General Biking, Bike to Plum Orchard, Bring Your Own Bike, Ranger-Led "Footsteps" Tour, Kayak to the Island, Lands and... National Park Service