Jacksonville North / St. Marys KOA Holiday Blog
RV Sites from $49.99/Night — Jacksonville North / St. Marys KOA
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Many GPS systems do not recognize our address. So, please follow the signs when you exit I-95 at Exit 1.
Google and Apple Maps on your Smart Phones work well.
Latitude: 30.755 Longitude: -81.653
Directions: Located on SW side of I-95 at Exit 1 (St. Mary's Rd) in Georgia.
If you are traveling southbound on I-95 we are at Exit 1. At the end of the ramp, turn right onto St. Mary's Road. Turn left beside the Shell Gas Station onto Scrubby Bluff Road. We are on the right at 2970 Scrubby Bluff Road.
If you are traveling northbound on I-95 you will still use Exit 1. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto St. Mary's Road. Turn left beside the Shell Gas Station onto Scrubby Bluff Road. We are on the right at 2970 Scrubby Bluff Road.
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If you're looking for things to do in St. Marys, GA, you've stumbled onto one of Georgia's best-kept secrets. This quiet coastal town on the Georgia-Florida border punches well above its weight — it's the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, a hub for outdoor adventure, and home to one of the most charming historic downtowns on the Atlantic coast. Whether you're rolling in for a weekend or settling in for a week, here's how to make the most of your time.
St. Marys is best known as the departure point for the Cumberland Island ferry, but there's plenty to keep you busy before and after the boat ride. Here are 15 things that belong on your itinerary:
1. Take the Ferry to Cumberland Island
The Camden Ferry departs from the St. Marys waterfront and is the only public access to Cumberland Island National Seashore. Book tickets in advance — seats fill up fast, especially spring through fall. Once on the island, you'll find wild horses, pristine beaches, and the haunting ruins of the Carnegie estate, Dungeness.
2. Walk the St. Marys Waterfront
The waterfront park along St. Marys Street is a great spot to grab coffee, watch the shrimp boats, and catch the ferry. It's a relaxed, genuinely scenic stretch — no tourist traps, just a real working Georgia waterfront.
3. Visit the St. Marys Submarine Museum
One of the most unique museums in Georgia, the Submarine Museum sits adjacent to Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base — the largest submarine base on the East Coast. Free admission. Exhibits cover everything from WWII subs to modern nuclear-powered vessels.
4. Kayak or Paddleboard the Tidal Marshes
The tidal creeks and salt marshes around St. Marys are spectacular from water level. Several outfitters offer kayak and paddleboard rentals and guided tours through the network of waterways. Bring your camera — the bird life is extraordinary.
5. Fish the St. Marys River
The St. Marys River forms the Georgia-Florida border and offers excellent fishing for redfish, trout, flounder, and bass. There are public boat ramps in town, or you can book a guide for a half-day charter.
6. Explore the Historic Downtown
St. Marys' downtown is small but genuinely walkable. Stroll past antebellum homes, browse local art galleries and boutiques, and stop at one of the waterfront restaurants for fresh-caught shrimp. The historic district dates back to the 1780s — one of the oldest towns in Georgia.
7. Birdwatch at Crooked River State Park
A few miles north of downtown, Crooked River State Park sits on a bluff above the tidal salt marsh. It's one of the top birding spots in coastal Georgia — look for painted buntings, osprey, herons, and wood storks. The park also has hiking trails, a boat ramp, and a swim area.
8. Tour the Oak Grove Cemetery
It sounds unusual, but Oak Grove Cemetery is genuinely historic — graves here date to the Revolutionary War era. It's a quiet, shaded walk through centuries of Georgia coastal history.
9. Watch the Shrimp Boats Come In
St. Marys still has an active shrimping fleet. Head to the waterfront in the early morning or late afternoon and you'll often see boats unloading at the docks. It's one of those real-Georgia moments that doesn't show up in any brochure.
10. Visit the Carnegie Library
Built in 1913 with Carnegie funding, this small but beautiful library is one of the oldest Carnegie libraries still in use in Georgia. It's worth a quick stop just to see the building.
11. Hike or Bike the Cumberland Island Greenway
This paved multi-use trail connects downtown St. Marys to areas north of town. It's flat, shaded, and easy — perfect for families with kids or campers who want a casual morning ride.
12. Eat at Lang's Marina Restaurant
A local institution. Lang's sits right on the water and has been serving fresh seafood to locals and visitors for decades. Order the shrimp — they'll be off the boats from that morning.
13. Attend a Local Festival
St. Marys hosts Rock Shrimp Festival each fall (usually October), drawing tens of thousands of visitors for live music, food, and arts and crafts. If your trip lines up, don't miss it.
14. Spot Dolphins on the Water
Bottlenose dolphins are a common sight in the St. Marys River and surrounding tidal waters, especially in the early morning. Any boat trip out of the marina — ferry, charter, or kayak tour — has a solid chance of a dolphin encounter.
15. Cross into Florida for a Day Trip
Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island are less than 20 minutes south on I-95. They're worth a half-day if you want a proper beach, upscale dining, or a different pace. It's one of the advantages of being right on the state line.
You can explore everything on this list without ever leaving the Kingsland-St. Marys corridor — and the best place to set up camp is Jacksonville North / St. Marys KOA Holiday, located right off I-95 at Exit 3 in Kingsland, GA.
The campground offers 110 RV sites with full hookups, 8 cabins (four deluxe and four camping-style), a unique Kontainer Suite, and 8 tent sites — so there's a spot for every type of traveler. On-site amenities include a full-service restaurant, mini golf, and beer and wine service. It's the closest full-amenity campground to the Cumberland Island ferry dock, putting you just minutes from the St. Marys waterfront.
Whether you're here for the island, the history, the fishing, or just a night off the highway, JAX KOA makes a comfortable and convenient home base.
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