Georgia · Hiking

River Trail Stop 6

River Trail Stop 6Photo: NPS Photo
0.6 mi
round trip
30 ft
climb
19 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Sep–May
best months

Is River Trail Stop 6 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.

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 are salt tolerant and are commonly found in the transition zone between the marsh and the maritime forest. The soft wood was often used to carve statues of animals as well as for canoes and pirogues. The flakey bark makes a good fire starter. The red cedar produces gray, blue-green round berry-like fruit which is made of fused cone scales. The berries may have been used by the Timucuan to flavor food dishes.

  • Nearby · River Trail Stop 7 · Parallel Trail · River Trail Stop 3
  • Best time to go · Sep–May

    Best time to visit River Trail Stop 6

    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, 3.5 mi away at 25 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Stop #7: Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) The live oak trunk is to the left of post number 7. The live oak is the dominant tree in the maritime forest. Its dark green leaves are present throughout winter until the new leaves appear in the spring. The outstretched branches form…

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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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Stop #8: Smilax (Smilax sp.) Look above the shrubs to find this vine. You can also see the smilax growing on the west side of the trail on top of Red Bay and up from the ground. It may be hard to identify in the winter months, as some species are deciduous. Smilax is a genus…

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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 9

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Stop #9: Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) Wax Myrtle is the small shrubby plant surrounding post number 9. Its leaves are light to dark green and are skinny, elongated leaves, with slight toothing near the edge. This evergreen shrub is found in the dunes as well as the forest.…

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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.

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

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