Stafford Beach Campground

For Georgians with a desire to truly unplug and immerse themselves in a pristine coastal wilderness, Stafford Beach Campground on Cumberland Island National Seashore offers an unparalleled camping experience. This beloved destination is a testament to natural beauty and peaceful seclusion, providing a serene escape for those willing to venture a little further for an unforgettable outdoor adventure. If you're looking to swap city sounds for crashing waves and starry skies, Stafford Beach Campground might just be your next favorite Georgia getaway.

Stafford Beach Campground is celebrated by visitors for its exceptional blend of rustic charm and essential amenities. Located on the eastern, beach side of Cumberland Island, it offers a unique opportunity to camp within earshot of the Atlantic Ocean. Reviewers consistently praise the campground for its "great camping!" atmosphere, highlighting the generous size of the campsites, which are "big enough for several tents set among the oaks." This provides ample space and a degree of privacy, allowing campers to truly relax and enjoy their surroundings.

Despite its remote island setting, Stafford Beach Campground provides surprisingly robust facilities that significantly enhance the primitive camping experience. The "bathhouse has potable water, flush toilets, cold showers, inside sinks, an outdoor sink to wash dishes, and plenty of outlets to charge your phone." This level of cleanliness and functionality, described as "quite clean with regards to their locations," is a welcome luxury in a wilderness environment. The availability of potable water and flush toilets means less gear to pack and more comfort during your stay.

The allure of Stafford Beach extends beyond its amenities. The campground offers immediate access to one of Georgia's most breathtaking and untouched beaches. A short walk of "about 0.2 miles" from your campsite leads you to the vast, unspoiled shoreline. Here, you can literally "walk a couple of hours without seeing anyone," providing an incredible sense of solitude and freedom. The beach is perfect for leisurely strolls, beachcombing, and simply soaking in the natural beauty. At night, the soothing sound of "waves crashing on the beach" provides a natural lullaby, creating an incredibly peaceful ambiance.

Wildlife encounters are another significant highlight. Cumberland Island is famously home to wild horses, and campers at Stafford Beach often have the opportunity to spot these majestic creatures roaming freely. Other forest sounds and glimpses of island wildlife further enhance the immersive nature experience. While phone service can be "hit or miss, at best 4G with one bar," this minimal connectivity is often seen as a benefit, encouraging a true digital detox and deeper engagement with the natural world. Stafford Beach Campground truly offers a beautiful and enriching escape for those ready for a moderately challenging, yet incredibly rewarding, backcountry adventure.

Stafford Beach Campground is uniquely located on the pristine Cumberland Island National Seashore, just off the coast of St. Marys, Georgia. Its address, Cumberland Island, St Marys, GA 31558, USA, signifies its remote, island-bound nature, making accessibility a key part of its wilderness appeal. This is not a drive-up campground; access is an adventure in itself.

The primary way to reach Cumberland Island is via the Cumberland Island Ferry, which departs from the Mainland Visitor Center in St. Marys, Georgia. It is crucial to book ferry reservations well in advance, as capacity is limited. The ferry disembarks at the Sea Camp dock, which is the gateway to the island's camping experiences.

From the Sea Camp ferry dock, Stafford Beach Campground is approximately a 3.5-mile hike north. This means campers must be prepared to carry all their gear—including tents, sleeping bags, food, and personal items—on their backs. While the trail is generally well-maintained, it is important to be aware of the distance and prepare accordingly. The walk itself is scenic, leading campers through maritime forests and past glimpses of the island's diverse ecosystems, offering a preview of the natural beauty that awaits.

For those who prefer paddling, private boaters and kayakers can also access Cumberland Island. However, direct access to Stafford Beach by personal boat typically involves navigating the Atlantic side, which can be challenging and requires advanced planning and experience with coastal conditions. Most campers opt for the ferry and the hike.

Once at Stafford Beach Campground, access to the Atlantic Ocean is remarkably convenient, just "about 0.2 miles" away, ensuring that the sound of crashing waves is a constant companion and beach strolls are effortless. While personal vehicles are not permitted on the island for visitors, the National Park Service offers a limited concessioner tour for those wishing to explore the northern reaches of the island without extensive hiking. However, for Stafford Beach campers, the primary mode of transportation within the island is by foot or bicycle (bicycles can be brought on the ferry for an additional fee or rented on the island).

The deliberate remoteness and access requirements contribute to the campground's serene and uncrowded atmosphere, ensuring that those who make the journey are rewarded with a truly immersive wilderness experience.

Stafford Beach Campground provides a more developed primitive camping experience compared to the wilderness campsites on Cumberland Island, offering key amenities for comfort while maintaining a natural setting.

• Designated Tent-Only Campsites: Spacious sites designed for tent camping, often nestled among oak trees.
• Potable Water: Available from a water spigot at the bathhouse, eliminating the need to filter water (a significant convenience for a remote site).
• Flush Toilets: Clean, modern flush toilets available in the bathhouse.
• Cold Showers: Private stalls with cold showers available, perfect for rinsing off after a day at the beach.
• Indoor Sinks: Sinks located inside the bathhouse for personal hygiene.
• Outdoor Sink: A designated outdoor sink for washing dishes and cookware.
• Bear Boxes/Food Storage: Secure metal boxes available at each campsite for safe food storage (essential due to active raccoons and occasional bears).
• Picnic Tables: Provided at each site.
• Fire Rings: No personal campfires are allowed; cooking is by camp stove only. (Note: this is a common regulation for wilderness/beach campgrounds to prevent forest fires).
• Trash/Recycling: No trash service; all waste must be packed out by campers (Leave No Trace).
• Phone Charging Outlets: Plenty of outlets available in the bathhouse for charging electronic devices.

• Proximity to the Beach: Just a short 0.2-mile walk to the pristine, expansive Atlantic Ocean beach.
• Spacious Campsites: Large, flat sites suitable for multiple tents, often shaded by oak trees.
• Well-Maintained Bathhouse: "Sparkling clean" facilities with flush toilets, cold showers, and sinks.
• Potable Water Access: A significant convenience for backcountry camping.
• Wildlife Encounters: Frequent sightings of wild horses, deer, armadillos, and diverse birdlife.
• Quiet and Secluded: Due to the access requirements, the campground typically offers a peaceful and uncrowded environment.
• Sound of Ocean Waves: Constant soothing sound of waves crashing on the beach.
• Stargazing Opportunities: Minimal light pollution provides excellent conditions for viewing the night sky.
• Bear Boxes: Secure food storage to protect against wildlife.
• Outdoor Dishwashing Sink: Convenient for cleaning up cooking gear.
• Phone Charging Access: Outlets available for charging essential devices.
• Scenic Hike: The 3.5-mile hike from the ferry dock is an enjoyable part of the adventure.

As a designated campground within Cumberland Island National Seashore, a unit of the National Park Service, Stafford Beach Campground operates under a standardized fee structure established to support the preservation and management of this unique wilderness area. Therefore, it does not offer traditional commercial promotions or short-term discounts. The core "offer" is access to an unparalleled coastal wilderness camping experience at an affordable rate.

Camping fees for Stafford Beach are typically per person, per night, in addition to the mandatory Cumberland Island National Seashore entrance fee and the ferry fee (if utilizing the ferry service). These fees are set by the National Park Service and are non-negotiable. For example, the camping fee is often around $4.00 per person per night for developed sites like Stafford Beach (compared to $2.00 for wilderness sites, as mentioned in previous information). It is crucial to verify current pricing on the official booking platform.

Reservations for Stafford Beach Campground are highly recommended due to its popularity and limited capacity, especially during peak seasons (spring and fall). Reservations can be made up to six months in advance via Recreation.gov.

While there are no "sales" or "deals," certain federal passes can help reduce the overall cost of visiting national parks:

• America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass: This interagency pass covers the entrance fee to national parks for the pass holder and accompanying passengers in a single, non-commercial vehicle. While it doesn't discount the camping fee itself, it can significantly reduce the overall cost for frequent visitors to national parks across the U.S., including Cumberland Island.
• Managed Hunt Periods: It's important to be aware that certain areas of Cumberland Island, including potentially some access points or trails to Stafford Beach, may have limited access or closures during managed hunt periods from October through January. This is not a promotion but a crucial piece of information for planning your visit.

The true value of camping at Stafford Beach lies in the unique, remote, and naturally preserved environment it offers, along with essential amenities, all at a very reasonable cost for a national park experience. For the most accurate and current fee information and to secure your reservation, please visit the official Recreation.gov website for Cumberland Island National Seashore.

Address: Cumberland Island, St Marys, GA 31558, USA (Note: This is a general address for Cumberland Island. Stafford Beach is a specific campground on the island.)

For reservations and detailed information regarding Cumberland Island National Seashore and its campsites, including Stafford Beach, please use the following official contact methods:

Cumberland Island National Seashore Official Website: www.nps.gov/cuis

Cumberland Island Ferry Reservations: Reservations are made through a third-party contractor via Recreation.gov.

Phone for Ferry Reservations/Information (Recreation.gov): (877) 860-6787

General Park Information Phone (Cumberland Island National Seashore): (912) 882-4335

Note: There is no direct phone number solely for Stafford Beach Campground as it is a site within the national park system. All inquiries and reservations go through the main park and reservation channels.

For Georgians with a thirst for genuine outdoor adventure and a deep appreciation for untouched coastal beauty, Stafford Beach Campground on Cumberland Island is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination. It offers a unique blend of challenging wilderness access with surprisingly comfortable amenities, making it a perfect retreat for those who cherish authentic natural experiences within their home state.

Locals will find the 3.5-mile hike from the ferry to the campground a rewarding part of the adventure, offering a sense of accomplishment and ensuring a more secluded environment than typical drive-up campgrounds. This commitment to a backcountry experience appeals directly to Georgia's growing community of hikers, backpackers, and nature enthusiasts looking for a true escape from urban life.

The campground's highlights, such as the "big enough for several tents" sites nestled among ancient oaks, and the calming "waves crashing on the beach" at night, create an idyllic setting. The presence of potable water, flush toilets, and cold showers in a "sparkling clean" bathhouse is a significant advantage for a remote island campsite, providing essential comforts without detracting from the wilderness feel. This balance is particularly appealing to Georgians who want to immerse themselves in nature but still appreciate basic conveniences.

Perhaps most compelling for locals is the unparalleled access to Cumberland Island's pristine beach, where you can "literally walk a couple of hours without seeing anyone." This offers an incredible sense of solitude and a rare opportunity to connect with an unspoiled coastline, complete with sightings of the famous wild horses. It’s an experience that fosters a deeper appreciation for Georgia’s natural treasures.

In essence, Stafford Beach Campground is ideal for Georgians seeking a memorable, moderately challenging, and profoundly peaceful coastal camping adventure. It provides a unique opportunity to explore one of the state's most cherished and wild barrier islands, creating lasting memories and a renewed connection to the magnificent outdoors of Georgia.