Near the Georgia-Florida state line, Kingsland and Camden County offers a wealth of activities and attractions in the great outdoors. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast ready to hike, bike and paddle or a casual outdoor fan who enjoys a good stroll, picnic or boat ride, this coastal community delivers natural entertainment.
Hit the water
Courtesy of Kingsland Convention & Visitors Bureau
Given this area is home to the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway and St. Marys River, it’s not surprising Camden County overflows with activities on the water. Those who love to paddle will find the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway and St. Marys River welcoming and and filled with wildlife. For a more challenging excursion, head to Cumberland Island, where you can paddle on the open waters along the Cumberland Island National Seashore.
Courtesy of Kingsland Convention & Visitors Bureau
If you prefer to leave the navigation to someone else, you can hop aboard the Cumberland island Ferry. The ferry travels 45 minutes from St. Marys to the Cumberland Island National Seashore, where you can then enjoy swimming, hiking, bird watching and relaxing in the sunshine. You also can bike and fish, but you must bring your own bicycle and fishing equipment plus have an active Georgia fishing license for anyone age 16 and older.
There also are free guided tours of the Dungeness Historic area, Plum Orchard, beach and other areas. Visitors also can opt for the motorized Land & Legacies Tour (ticket required) that includes the First African Baptist Church, Plum Orchard, Robert Stafford’s plantation and cemetery, and other highlights.
Please note Cumberland Island is a large island, so don’t expect to walk the entire island during your visit. It’s highly recommended that you plan out your visit before you go to the island to ensure you see the areas you want to explore. Also, there are no shops or restaurants on the island, so bring what you need with you.
Take a ride
Courtesy of Kingsland Convention and Visitors Bureau
Who doesn’t love a good train ride? In Kingsland, climb aboard the Georgia Coastal Railway for a journey through surrounding neighborhoods, commercial districts, Georgia marshlands and a working rail yard. You can choose between 60- or 90-minute excursions ranging from a traditional train ride to themed rides such as murder mystery trains, pirate trains, Wild West trains and holiday trains (Christmas, Easter, Halloween). No matter how old you are, taking a train ride will bring out the kid in all of us.
Courtesy of Kingsland Convention & Visitors Bureau
If two wheels are your ideal mode of transportation, you’re in luck. A perfect place to start is on the Coastal Georgia Greenway crosses through Camden County and Kingsland along the coastline. It’s the perfect place to be to feel the sea air or catch a sunrise. At Crooked River State Park, you can bike along the Intracoastal Waterway and through a maritime forest to spot wildlife such as gopher tortoises, herons, snakes and other native residents. Another fun bike ride is the Woodbine Waterfront Boardwalk, which travels over the Satilla River. As you travel south, you’ll see a change from wetlands to live oaks, cypress and other hardwoods. It’s a leisurely journey that allows you to soak up your surroundings.
Explore local history
Courtesy of Kingsland Convention and Visitors Bureau
The historic sites on Cumberland Island are just the start of the history in Kingsland and Camden County. At the Thiokol Memorial Museum, you will see where workers at the Woodbine Thiokol Chemical Plant created the world’s largest rocket engine at the time in 1965 for the U.S. Space Program and manufactured munitions for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.
At the Kingsland Veterans Memorial Park, you can pay your respects to our military members who lost their lives in service to our country. The plaza features five memorial walls representing the different branches of the military. In St. Marys, stop by the McIntosh Sugarmill Ruins, where you view the ruins and hike the natural trail. For a more in-depth look at the area’s history, take the St. Marys History Walk, a self-guided tour along a 600-foot walking trail featuring 24 interpretive panels documenting the history of Native Americans to the Civil War.
When it comes to enjoying all that nature has to offer, Kingsland and Camden County provides a multitude of ways to get outside and explore. To start planning your visit, request a visitors guide today.