Magnificent and unspoiled beaches and dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes make up the largest of Georgia's Golden Isles. The Cumberland National Seashore was established in 1972 to preserve the scenic, scientific, and historical values of this unspoiled environment, once prevalent on all the barrier islands. A visit provides the unique opportunity to experience the flora and fauna of a natural coastal ecosystem. It is well known for its sea turtles, abundant shore birds, dune fields, maritime forest, salt marshes, and historic structures.

Cumberland National Seashore houses four historic districts with uniquely different stories: Dungeness, Stafford, Plum Orchard, and High Point/Half Moon Bluff. The history of the island spans over four thousand years including native Americans, Spanish missions, English colonial forts, Revolutionary War heroes, Plantation owners, enslaved Africans, and wealthy industrialists of the Gilded Age.

Cumberland Island is 17.5 miles long and totals 36,415 acres of which 16,850 are marsh, mud flats, and tidal creeks. Note that Cumberland Island is accessible by.a concession operated passenger ferry, or private boat only.

• Tours of historic Plum Orchard Mansion are offered the 1st Sunday of every month when the ferry makes a special trip there for an additional $6 charge. Reservations are required.