Info on Cumberland Island Needed!

“I have finally convinced my wife to go backpacking with me!!! Her stipulations were that it had to be near water and couldn't be straight up a mountain.

What I need to know is how far in advance to I need to make reservations?

How far is the hike in/out?

How can I find a map?

Can you have campfires?

And what other recommendations can you offer? I am not a big fan of the beach but am willing to do this for a chance to have my wife and daughter on a BP trip.”

“Web Site

more info”

“map

* No fires at Cumberland Island
* The water on the Island sucks pretty bad.
* The hike is as long as you want it to be. Sea camp is only about a 1/2 mile
* The Raccoons are VERY clever so mind your food!
* You'll have a blast”

“Stafford Beach is only about 4 miles from the dock. That's a nice place. The Parallel Trail is a nice route to it and the beach is a great walk back.
The Armadillos are fun to watch. They just cruise through camp.
The wild pigs are no threat. They run when they see you.

Anything else?”

“Hey Dude...saw you posting and wanted to say howdy..
I still have the lil book you lent me last year..Ill get it to you someday..take care”

“WAZZZZZUP!
You can keep the book. It was a gift.”

“Gee thanks Dude..how sweet..
Not much going on here..Wish I could make the Savage Gulf trip but that weekend is my daughters B day..

Have a good time”

“Cumberland Island is beautiful, Spam.

This time of year you shouldn't have any problems with overcrowding but you'll want to call the Park office in St. Mary's.

The water at Seacamp is good. They have cold showers and toilets. It's only a half mile walk to the ranger station and boat dock from Seacamp, so you may want to end your trip there.

Maps are available at the Park office in St. Mary's. You'll need to pick up your permits there and it's right next to the ferry dock. Since you only have a few choices of trails, you don't need much advanced planning.

Rad and I just kayaked there two weekends ago. The beaches and dunes are fantastic.

You can always stay at the Greyfield Inn. Rooms there only cost $300 to $500 a night. Other than the Greyfield Inn, a couple of ranger stations, about five or six small private houses, a restored slave colony, and some ruins, you should have a pristine island mostly to yourself. There are no man-made structures visible from the Atlantic beach.”

“On Greyfield Inn you would likely have to reserve WAY ahead to get a room, they only had 8 rooms when I stayed there on my honeymoon in 88, dang I'm old. They've added on rooms but I don't know how many. The island is a great place, lots of wild horses, opossums on the half shell, BIG cottonmouths, old ruins of the Carnagie Estate, almost no cars. etc. We had a great time and you can always find deserted beach or hike over to the inn (its the only bar (honor at that) on the island). As I recall it the biggest crowd we saw on the island was about 6 people in the bar at the inn.”

“you cannot go near greyfield, unless you are staying there.

not that it matters!

cumberland island is closed, indefinately!

they are paving the whole island and putting in a factory! stay away! stay away! stay away!”

“spam, we called and asked if we could get a permit for April and they said NO! Closed! Stay Away! I guess that you have to make reservations about 6 months in advance.

running girl”

“I heard they are releasing 50,000 more posinous snakes around the campsites. I also heard they are increasing the gator population x10.
Pretty soon they are going to stock the Island with Grizzly bears.”

“But only at the Seacamp Campground.

Spam -
Bring yer car camping gear (charcoal, coolers, mattresses, etc.) and stay at Seacamp. Carts are available for the 1/2 mile trek. The wife and daughter will prolly be more comfortable there, and most of the sights are an easy dayhike away.

The water is just fine.
"Get thirsty and you'll drink."

The sulfer water from the well near Yankee Paradise tastes better and better the longer it sits in an open container.

The mate on the Cumberland Queen will bring you ice, etc., for a nominal tip. Inquire with him on the trip out.

You'll get all the skinny from NPS during the mandatory orientation(s).

You'll prolly change yer mind about beaches...”

“It can take longer than that to get a permit. We take our scout there every MLK Jr. weekend, and have to apply for the permits for the next year as soon as we get back. Cumberland is extremely popular the last few years.”

“You can apply six months out.”

“When last I was there you could go to the bar at the Inn without being a guest but not eat, etc. The whole bar is about the size of a small bedroom. Some celeb (JFKJR?) got married there a few years ago and the whole world found out about it, big demand now and the inn rates went up. My sister used to have friends with a house on the island and stayed there. Real cool. Not but a few private residences left.”

“Yeah it was JFKJR.”

“I sent you an email.
Lemme know if you DON'T get it...”

“it's all broken glass and barbed-wire!!!”

“Is Spam turning into Biz?!?!?!
He started a thread and has never posted again.”

“he went to cumberland and died.

it's INFESTED with bugs and every varmint has RABIES.

stay away, i tell you! stay away!”

“Maybe Rad is right, stay away and tell your friends to also. I may want to go back.”