Georgia · Hiking

Dungeness Crossing

Dungeness CrossingPhoto: Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.4 mi
round trip
36 ft
climb
24 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Sep–May
best months

Is Dungeness Crossing open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists an alert for Cumberland Island National Seashore.

As of · Source: NPS · Cumberland Island National Seashore. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Dungeness Crossing is a short, easy hike on Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia, managed by the National Park Service. The route is 0.8 miles long and roughly flat, with a total elevation gain and loss of 36 feet each. It makes a quick stop for anyone exploring the park's trail network near the shoreline. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show April highs around 76°F and October highs around 79°F, while July and August climb to the upper 80s and bring the most wet days of the year. A fee is charged for the hike. Beach Creek Trail lies just 0.2 miles away, and Parallel Trail is about 0.6 miles off. Sea Camp Trail and South Point Trail are both within 1.6 miles.

  • Best time to go · Sep–May

    Best time to visit Dungeness Crossing

    Best months: September–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      62° / 43°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      65° / 45°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      70° / 51°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      76° / 57°

      7 wet

    5. May

      82° / 65°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 71°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 74°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 74°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      85° / 71°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      79° / 62°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      71° / 52°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      65° / 46°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Brunswick 23 S, GA, 4.4 mi away at 25 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Beach Creek TrailPhoto: Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Beach Creek Trail

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0.39-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 12 ft of elevation gain.

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Hiking and Biking Trail

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Nightingale Trail - Stop 7 Resurrection Fern

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Parallel Trail

~7 min drive

2.86-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 10 ft of elevation gain.

Parallel TrailPhoto: Rob Bixby, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Parallel Trail

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2.0-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 47 ft elevation gain.

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Nightingale Trail - Trailhead North

~1 min drive

You have reached the last stop on the tour.  Walking the main road to the left will take you to the Dungeness dock access road, approximately 0.5 miles. Walking to the right will take you to Sea Camp dock access road at 1 mile.

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River Trail Stop 1

~2 min drive

Stop #1: Pine (Pinus sp) Yellow pine is a generic term for several species of pine trees that are found in the Southeastern United States. When facing post number one, look east and slightly south. The Pine tree towers into the canopy above Red Bay and shrubs. Vines climb…

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River Trail Stop 2

~2 min drive

Stop #2: Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) Cabbage palms are native to our area and provided many uses to native peoples. When facing post number two, a cabbage palm grows directly behind the post, and another to the right of the post. They grow vertically into the typical palm…

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River Trail Stop 3

~2 min drive

Stop #3: Red bay (Persea borbonia) When facing post number three, the red bay can be found just to the right of the post. It may have brown leaves and look dead. Smaller, younger red bay trees can also be seen further to the left and right of the post. They have large dark…

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River Trail Stop 6

~2 min drive

Stop #6: Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) When facing post number 6, the red cedar is the large tree with flakey bark to the right of the post. The eastern red cedar is actually in the juniper family. Cedar trees, such as the one to the left, are an aromatic evergreen. They…

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