Permits & Reservations

 

• Reservations are recommended for the Cumberland Island Ferry and the Lands & Legacies guided van tour.
• Reservations can be made up to six months in advance to the month (i.e. all dates in November can be reserved starting May 1st).
• Due to visitation limits those seeking last minute walk-in reservations may be put on stand-by or be turned away.

Check in begins one hour before ferry departure at the Mainland Visitor Center. All unclaimed reservations will be cancelled 30 minutes prior to departure and those spots will be offered to walk-in visitors.

 

Ferry Reservations

Transportation to Cumberland Island is aboard an official National Park Service concessioner operated ferry or by private boat.

Reservations for the ferry can be made on-line 24-hours a day at www.cumberlandislandferry.com or by phone at 877-860-6787 Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

To view the ferry schedule please visit the Operating Hours & Seasons Page.

A National Park Entrance Fee will be charged on the morning of check in. For more about Cumberland Island National Seashore fees and passes visit our Fees & Passes page.

Camping Reservations

For information on camping, reserving campsites, preparing for a night on the island, and scheduling your ferry times please visit the Camping page.

Bike Reservations

For information on reserving space in advance for your personal bike, please visit the Biking page.

Wedding, Event, & Other Special Activities Permits

Cumberland Island National Seashore is home to many beautiful cultural and natural settings which are ideal venues for a variety of special activities such as events, wedding ceremonies, and film and photography projects.

Most special events and activities held in the park require a special use permit, issued only after the National Park Service (NPS) determines that the activities involved will not impair park values and resources.

To find out more and to download an application visit the Special Use Permits page.

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA)

A commercial use authorization is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area. For more information visit the Commercial Use Authorization page.

School & Education Groups

School groups must make ferry reservations in advance of their trip by calling the ferry concessioner at 877-860-6787 Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Fee waivers for the park entrance fee are available for accredited educational institutions. Visit the Plan a Field Trip page to find out more and to download a Fee Waiver Application.

Guided Tour Operators

There is one guided tour offered each day on the island. For information visit the Lands & Legacies Page.

All other guided tour operators that charge a fee to bring visitors or students to Cumberland Island must have a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA). Visit the Commercial Use Authorization page for more information.

Photography & Filming

Filming and photography are welcome at Cumberland Island National Seashore. These activities may require an approved permit that must be submitted and processed prior to filming or photographing. Visit the Photography and Filming Permits Page for more information and to download a permit.