Wild horses graze by ruins of Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island's exquisite wild beauty ranks it among some of the world's most prized natural treasures. Accessible only by boat, Cumberland Island was once the home of the Carnegie Family, builders of the illustrious Dungeness Mansion that now stands in ruins. Here the Carnegies held extravagant galas to entertain their high society guests, like the Vanderbilts and the Duponts, who frequented the island. Decades later, the late John F. Kennedy Jr. and his fiancee Carolyn Bessette chose to have their secret wedding amid the grandeur and natural beauty of this majestic isle.

Today, most of Cumberland Island is a National Park. The island, made up of salt marshes, dune fields, tidal creeks and maritime forests, is home to an abundance of wildlife, including wild horses, wild turkeys, armadillos, a variety of shore birds, sea turtles and more. Visitors are welcome to spend a relaxing day at the beach or encouraged to explore the island's various historic structures and exhibits. Anyone wishing to visit the island must make reservations in advance by contacting the Mainland Visitor Information Center in St. Marys, Georgia, open all year from 8:15 am.to 4:30 pm. When you visit the island, plan to bring all the supplies you'll need with you, including food, water and trash bags. Visitors to the island are expected to adhere to its stringent restrictions and regulations, and although the restrictions may seem cumbersome at times, they have been instrumental in keeping the island the natural, unspoiled treasure it is today. Here is a list of Cumberland Island's various points of interest:

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