Cumberland Island National Seashore

The ocean can bring many interesting things onto our beaches. Beachcombing is a popular activity on Cumberland Island. Shells are not found on the beach all the time, however. Read on to learn when is the best time to scour the beach for shells.

Join the National Park Service “family” by becoming a Junior Ranger. Complete the activity book, have a park ranger review it, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge for Cumberland Island. Pick up your booklet and badge from the Mainland Visitor Center and Sea Camp Ranger Station today.

Take a 15-mile round trip bike ride up to the Plum Orchard mansion and take a tour of the Georgian-revival house. This is a strenuous 3-5 hour bike ride. Check with a ranger before starting out for current conditions.

The extensive marshes around Cumberland Island provide great birding opportunities. One of the best places to get a view of the marsh is at the marsh boardwalk, just east of the Greene-Miller Cemetery. After you’ve gotten your history fix at the Dungeness ruins area, take the short walk to the marsh boardwalk, a birding hotspot.

Birding on the beach can be successful in any season on Cumberland Island. There are many rear-round residents, and those around during breeding season, migrations, and winter alike. Be sure to pack your binoculars and head to the beach on your next visit to the island.

Over 300 species of birds have been recorded on Cumberland Island. About 200 of these species are migratory, with the rest being year-round residents of the island. What birds you will find on the island will depend on what time of year you visit. The best birding is typically in the spring, when many birds stop over on Cumberland Island on their way north. Dungeness is a great area to view many different species.

Bringing your own bike can provide more access to the island. Not all bikes are suited to be ridden on Cumberland Island. Read on to see if biking is a good choice for your visit.

Make a pitstop at the Ice House Museum to learn about the island’s history. Fill up your water bottle at the water bottle filling station and use the restrooms before heading on to Dungeness.

Open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM daily , the Mainland Museum for Cumberland Island National Seashore is a great starting place to learn more about the island’s diverse history. Exhibits explore the cultural and natural history of the island from prehistoric American Indians lives, through British occupation during the War of 1812, the Plantation Era, Gilded Age, and the island today.