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Summary

Dates: Wednesday, February 24, 2027 - Tuesday, March 2, 2027
Price: $2100
Location: Cumberland Island National Seashore

Accommodations: Frontcountry Campground + Backcountry Campsites

Activity Level: Moderate

Trip Style: Backpacking

Distance: 53.3 Miles



Trip Overview

Escape the winter chill and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Cumberland Island National Seashore, a remote barrier island off the coast of Georgia, just 50 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. This island offers a rich blend of ecosystems and history—coastal marshes, undeveloped beaches, live oak forests, and ruins of grand Victorian estates.


Expect to see wild horses, scampering armadillos, and—if you’re lucky—dolphins, alligators, or even manatees. Whether you're beachcombing for sand dollars and shark teeth, wandering beneath ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss, or watching the Atlantic waves roll in over the dunes, Cumberland Island is a feast for the senses.


This is one of Fitpacking’s most beginner-friendly trips and is a great introduction to backcountry travel. The island is mostly flat, and while daily mileages are moderate, hiking with a loaded pack—particularly along sandy beaches—can be physically challenging. On days when we arrive to camp early, there's often time to relax or explore the shoreline.




Map

See Topo map

The above map is from a previous year. This year's map will differ slightly




Weather

Weather is always a key consideration when backpacking. In February, daytime temperatures on Cumberland Island typically average in the mid-70s°F (24°C), offering near-perfect hiking conditions. However, variability is common—you might experience blazing sun, light rain, or even a touch of frost at night.


While ocean water temperatures are usually too cold for swimming, some adventurous participants have braved it in the past. You can generally expect a few comfortably warm days during the trip, making it an ideal winter escape.




Probable Guides

Guide(s) TBD


Cost

$2100 per person double occupancy

Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. With single room accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Jacksonville, FL (JAX) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 nights in a hotel, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers, ground transportation, Cumberland Queen Ferry tickets, National Seashore permits, park permits, park entrance fees and awesome guides.



Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well, please support them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Difficulty



Important Notes

Access to Cumberland Island is by ferry only. Once we arrive, there are no vehicles, stores, or restaurants—just trails, beaches, and wilderness. All supplies for the week must be carried in, and participants should be fully prepared for a self-supported experience. Water is limited across the island. While there are a few potable water sources, we will need to filter or treat water in more remote areas, and it's important to carry enough between refill points.


While the terrain is primarily flat, hiking can still be physically demanding due to sandy conditions, especially along the beach. Supportive, comfortable footwear is highly recommended. The island is remote, with little to no cell service and no emergency facilities, which adds to its sense of solitude but also requires self-sufficiency and awareness.


To enrich your experience and deepen your understanding of Cumberland Island, we recommend the following:


Recommended Reading:


We highly suggest reading Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island by Will Harlan. This powerful biography offers insight into the island’s ecology and the ongoing fight to protect its natural integrity.



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Itinerary
Summary
Trip Overview
Map
Weather
Probable Guides
Cost
Difficulty
Important Notes

Itinerary


Wednesday, February 24, 2027

Fly or drive into Jacksonville, FL (JAX),

At some point today Obtain any last-minute equipment participants forgot at Gander Mountain, 13075 City Square Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32218, (904) 714-3557,

We will assemble at: Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville Airport, 13551 Airport Ct, Jacksonville, 32218, FL, 904-741-4001.

Equipment shakedown. We go through your packs to make sure you're prepared for the trip equipment-wise.

Make-your-own trail mix bar. You craft your personal trail mix from a cornucopia of nuts, fruits, sweets and occasional wildcard items that we provide.

Go out to welcome dinner at local restaurant. Cost of dinner not included in trip cost.

Stay in local hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville Airport, 13551 Airport Ct, Jacksonville, 32218, FL, 904-741-4001.


Thursday, February 25, 2027

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage Free breakfast in hotel,

Shuttle to St. Mary’s, GA,

Take the 9AM Cumberland Queen Ferry to Cumberland Island,

Arrive at Sea Camp Ranger Station at 9:45AM, Elevation: 10 feet

Hike 0.5 miles to Sea Camp Group Campsite, Elevation: 10 feet

Set up camp,

Day-Hike (no full pack) 0.1 miles to the beach, Elevation: 5 feet

Day-Hike (no full pack) 1.2 miles on the beach to the Dungeness Trail Boardwalk, Elevation: 5 feet

Day-Hike (no full pack) 1.5 miles on the beach to a Marker Post, Elevation: 3 feet

Day-Hike (no full pack) 3.2 miles back to the Dungeness Trail Boardwalk, Elevation: 10 feet

Day-Hike (no full pack) 2.4 miles past the Dungeness ruins back to Sea Camp, Elevation: 10 feet

Camp at Sea Camp Group Campsite, campfires allowed, Elevation: 10 feet

Mileage Today: 8.4 Total Mileage: 8.4


Friday, February 26, 2027

Hike 4.4 miles via the Parallel Trail to Stafford Beach Road, Elevation: 10 feet

Hike 2.0 miles on the Parallel Trail to Hickory Hill., Elevation: 25 feet

Hike 1.3 miles on the Parallel Trail to Yankee Paradise, Elevation: 20 feet

Set up camp at Yankee Paradise Camp , Elevation: 20 feet

Day-hike 1.0 miles to Plum Orchard Mansion to get potable water from their faucet (not all participants need to go), Elevation: 15 feet

Day-hike 1.0 miles back to Yankee Paradise Camp, Elevation: 20 feet

Mileage Today: 9.7 Total Mileage: 18.1


Saturday, February 27, 2027

Hike 1.0 miles to Plum Orchard Mansion, Elevation: 15 feet

Fill up water containers,

Take a free 1 hour guided tour of the Plum Orchard Mansion,

Hike 1.0 road miles to the Kings Bottom Trail, Elevation: 15 feet

Hike 1.5 miles around Table Point, Elevation: 10 feet

Hike 1.9 miles on Ashley Pond Trail and Kings Bottom Trail to the Main Rd, Elevation: 10 feet

Hike 2.0 miles on Main Rd. to Brickhill Bluff Trail, Elevation: 15 feet

Hike 0.5 miles to Brickhill Bluff, Elevation: 5 feet

Camp at Brickhill Bluff, Elevation: 5 feet

Mileage Today: 7.9 Total Mileage: 26.0


Sunday, February 28, 2027

Day-Hiking only today. There are shorter options for those who are not up to the full mileage.,

Hike 0.8 miles on the Brickhill Trail to Main Rd.,

Hike 0.3 miles on the Brickhill Trail to the Bunkley Trail,

Hike 0.6 miles on Bunkley Trail to North Cut Road,

Hike 1.0 miles Northbound to the First African Baptist Church. Restrooms nearby at the Alberty House. Carol Ruckdeschel lives next door.,

Turn around and Hike 2.4 miles on North Cut Road to Candler Beach Rd.,

Hike 1.7 miles on Cedar Dock Rd to Christmas Creek for lunch,

Hike 2.2 miles on Cedar Dock Rd and Candler Beach Rd to Candler beach,

Hike 0.7 miles to Whitney Rd,

Hike 1.7 miles on Roller Coaster Trail to South Cut Trail,

Hike 1.0 miles on South Cut Trail to Main Rd.,

Hike 0.9 miles on Main Rd. and Brickhill Trail to Brickhill Bluff,

Camp at Brickhill Bluff,

Mileage Today: 12.4 Total Mileage: 38.4


Monday, March 1, 2027

Hike 1.3 miles on the Main Rd. to the Oyster Pond Trail,

Hike 1.4 miles on the Oyster Pond Trail to the Tar Kiln Trail,

Hike 1.5 miles on the Tark Kiln Trail to Yankee Paradise,

Hike 1.4 miles on the Duck House Trail to the beach,

Hike 3.1 miles on the beach to Stafford Beach Rd.,

Hike 0.2 miles on Stafford Beach Road to Stafford Campsite,

Camp at Stafford Campsites Sites 5, 6, & 7, campfires permitted,

Camp at Stafford Campsite,

Mileage Today: 8.9 Total Mileage: 47.3

Shuttle back to local hotel: Hampton Inn Suites Jacksonville Airport, 13551 Airport Ct, Jacksonville, FL .

Gather your off-trail items from storage

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Tuesday, March 2, 2027

Hike 0.2 miles to the beach,

Hike 4.1 miles on the beach to Sea Camp Marker Post.,

Hike 0.6 miles to Ferry Dock.,

Catch the 10:15 boat back to St. Mary’s. They may add a 2:30PM ferry which would allow us more time in the morning to check out the Dungeness Ruins,

Arrive at St. Mary’s, GA at 11:00AM or 3:15PM,


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