South Georgia and Cumberland Island

April 4, 2015 - Three Rivers State Park - Sneads, FL

Drove across the southernmost part of Georgia yesterday to get here to the Three Rivers State Park campground in the panhandle of Florida.  Two days ago we spent the day at Cumberland Island National Park, by taking a ferry from St. Mary's, GA.

Cumberland Island is a treasure of a barrier island saved from development.  It’s kind of weird to witness the ruins from the opulence and excess of the Carnegie’s.   

Too bad we have rich who can afford to waste precious resources like that, but it is a blessing that the  National Park Service (and  others) were able to save the island from development, and leave the vast majority of it in a pristine state.  

There are about 150 wild horses on the island, and it was great to see them play.  Also ran into a feral pig and her piglet on a hiking trail (boy were they surprised!  Sooooey!)  

 Loved being able to walk endless miles of beaches, almost by ourselves, and see the sea, wildlife, and unique flora that make up the Island. 

 The one downside of the visit was the near dysfunctional system that the Park Service has in place for arranging the visit and managing the ferry.  Overbookings, ineffective online registration, nonsensical onsite-reservation (if you can find it hiding in a former fish restaurant!).  If you can get a reservation, then good luck with check-in!  A totally dysfunctional check-in system will have you waiting in long lines, with plenty of confusion as to “process”  We feilt like there was insufficient “ranger support” for answering questions especially while on Cumberland Island, not enough bikes for rental , and perfunctory ferry staff, who could have been more friendly, and informative.  The National Park Service management for Cumberland Island should pay a visit to the Fort Sumter National Park for some tips on how to set up a “ferry visit park system” that works.

We stayed at another wonderful Georgia State Park, Crooked River.

The sites, grounds, trails, wildlife and fishing access at Crooked River are extraordinary.  But pray for a strong breeze.  The sand gnats (no-see-ums) are horrific.  The nature trails are great!  We even got to see a rare Gopher Tortoise.   

Nice interpretive displays, a nature center, boat ramp, even mini golf and playground areas make this a great place for families.  Nearby, are restaurants and historic sites such as the McIntosh Sugar Mill Tabby ruins, really interesting!  

 Also, this is a great jumping off point for St. Mary’s and the ferry to Cumberland Island.  Wifi is only accessible at the Park Office, but go ahead and “unplug” it’ll be good for you!