• info@wildcumberland.org
  • PO Box 872 Scottdale, GA 30079

Beach Driving

Did You Know?

Beach driving is allowed along the entire 17-mile beach of Cumberland Island. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has issued over 250 beach driving permits (more than any other beach in the state of Georgia) to island residents and family members.

2020 Total Beach Driving Permits, as reported by the Georgia DNR

  • Cumberland Island: 256
  • Little Cumberland Island: 26
  • Sapelo Island: 64
  • Sea Island: 6
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Private residents may have retained driving rights, but Cumberland Island’s remote nature lends itself to a lack of oversight and enforcement. Island visitors have observed private vehicles driving into groups of migrating and endangered birds, radios blaring from the back of pickup trucks driving across the sand, and the destruction of dunes and nesting areas.

Driving along the beach for anything other than scientific research purposes poses danger to sea turtle hatchlings, nesting and migrating shorebirds, and more.

Submit the form below to let the Georgia Department of Natural Resources know you disapprove of their lax regulation and enforcement of beach driving permits on Cumberland Island.

A place so pristine – and in such peril – should have better protection.

Restrict Beach Driving

Dear Superintendent Ingram,

I find it abhorrent that the greatest number of beach driving permits in Georgia have been issued on Cumberland Island, a National Seashore that contains a designated Wilderness Area.

Driving along the beach for anything other than scientific research purposes poses danger to sea turtle hatchlings, nesting and migrating shorebirds, and more.

Private landowners may have retained the right to traverse the island by vehicle, but adequate oversight and enforcement of those rights is virtually impossible, given the isolated nature of Cumberland Island. I ask for your oversight in ensuring these permits are issued (and restrictions are enforced) appropriately.

Sincerely,

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