Kingsland
Around Kingsland
Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Georgia · 59k people
Kingsland
Locals say Camden County
Where the marsh meets the sea, and time slows down.
Coastal Turquoise
Welcome to Camden County, where the salt air and the St. Marys River set the pace. Whether you're here for the fishing, the history, or just to slow down, you'll find a friendly nod from folks at the pier.
Clubs for Kingsland
No clubs for Kingsland yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Kingsland. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Kingsland. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Cumberland Island National Seashore Wild horses, maritime forests, and pristine beaches, accessible by ferry from St. Marys.
- St. Marys Historic District Antebellum homes, oak-lined streets, and a waterfront park.
- St. Marys Waterfront Pier, boat ramps, and views of the St. Marys River.
- Crooked River State Park Camping, hiking, and kayaking along the Crooked River.
- St. Marys Submarine Museum Exhibits on submarine history and the Kings Bay base.
- Orange Hall A Greek Revival mansion from the 1830s.
- Outdoors Fishing off the St. Marys pier
- Outdoors Kayaking the Crooked River
- With kids Take the ferry to Cumberland Island for a day of beachcombing
- With kids Visit the St. Marys Submarine Museum
- Evenings Waterfront bars with live music
- Evenings Seafood restaurants with outdoor seating
- Locals love Marinas
- Locals love Fishing piers
Through the year
- St. Marys Seafood Festival October Local seafood, live music, and arts and crafts.
- Kingsland Catfish Festival April Fried catfish, carnival rides, and a parade.
- Camden County Fair September Agricultural exhibits, rides, and local food.
- St. Marys Riverfest May Riverfront celebration with music, food, and boat races.
Subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “the base”
- Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base
- “the island”
- Cumberland Island
- “downtown”
- St. Marys historic district
- “the river”
- St. Marys River
Getaways
- Jacksonville City life, Jaguars games, and the St. Johns River.
- Brunswick St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island beaches.
- Waycross Okefenokee Swamp adventures.
- Jesup Small-town charm and the Piney Woods.
Local flavour
Rooting for Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Georgia Bulldogs (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Shrimp and grits A Lowcountry staple, often served with local wild-caught shrimp.
- Lowcountry boil A one-pot feast of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes, common at gatherings.
- Oysters Local oysters from nearby waters, often roasted or raw.
Where people go
- Marinas and fishing piers The waterfront is central, with many spots to launch a boat or cast a line.
- Historic St. Marys waterfront A charming downtown with old oaks, a ferry to Cumberland Island, and a quiet river walk.
- Cumberland Island National Seashore Wild horses, undeveloped beaches, and maritime forest—locals treasure this nearby escape.
Heritage and traditions
Camden County is proud of its deep coastal roots—from the historic port of St. Marys and the wild beaches of Cumberland Island to the Navy families who call Kings Bay home. Locals value the unhurried pace, the salt air, and a heritage that blends Southern, Gullah-Geechee, and military traditions.
This time of year in Kingsland
- Shrimp season Summer–Fall Summer and early fall bring the freshest local shrimp, celebrated at festivals.
- Oyster season Fall–Winter Cooler months are perfect for oyster roasts and stews.
- Mullet run Fall In fall, schools of mullet migrate along the coast, drawing fishermen and birds.
- St. Marys Seafood Festival October Celebrates the local shrimp harvest with seafood dishes, live music, and a parade.
Say it like a local: “crick” — A small stream or creek.
Festivals
- St. Marys Seafood Festival October Celebrates the local shrimp harvest with seafood dishes, live music, and a parade.
- Kingsland Catfish Festival May A community event featuring fried catfish, carnival rides, and local crafts.
- Camden County Fair September A traditional county fair with livestock shows, rides, and fair food.
- St. Marys Riverfest April A riverside festival with live bands, arts and crafts, and boat activities.
- Gullah-Geechee Heritage Celebration June Honors the local African American coastal culture with storytelling, food, and crafts.
- Christmas Tour of Homes in St. Marys December Historic homes open their doors with holiday decorations, a beloved seasonal tradition.
Landmarks with a story
- Dungeness Ruins The burned remains of a Carnegie mansion on Cumberland Island, surrounded by wild horses.
- Plum Orchard Mansion A preserved Carnegie estate on Cumberland Island, open for tours.
- Orange Hall An 1830s Greek Revival house in St. Marys, now a museum.
- St. Marys Historic District One of Georgia's oldest towns, with antebellum homes and a waterfront park.
- St. Marys Submarine Museum Tells the story of the Navy's nuclear submarine fleet stationed at Kings Bay.
- First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys A historic church dating to the 1800s, a landmark in the old town.
Food traditions
- Shrimp and grits A staple from the Gullah-Geechee tradition, often served with a rich gravy.
- Lowcountry boil Also called Frogmore stew, a one-pot dish of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes.
- Oyster roasts Fall and winter gatherings where oysters are steamed over open fires, a coastal ritual.
- Red rice A Gullah-Geechee side dish of rice cooked with tomatoes and bacon.
- She-crab soup A creamy soup made with crab roe, a Lowcountry delicacy.
Music and arts
- Gullah-Geechee spirituals and storytelling African American coastal traditions preserved through song and oral history.
- Sweetgrass basket weaving A craft brought from West Africa, practiced by some local artisans.
- Coastal folk art Paintings and carvings of shrimp boats, marsh scenes, and wildlife.
A little history
- 1787 St. Marys founded as a port town
- 1854 Kingsland grew as a railroad town
- late 1800s Woodbine developed as a turpentine and timber center
- 1972 Cumberland Island designated a National Seashore
- 1979 Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base established
- Game day High school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Crabbing off the docks
- Outdoors Oyster picking at low tide
- With kids Crabbing off the docks
- With kids Taking the ferry to Cumberland Island
Locals speak with a Coastal Southern accent, often with a relaxed drawl and occasional Gullah-Geechee influences. You'll hear 'y'all' and 'fixin' to' frequently, and the marsh is simply 'the salt.'
Only here
- The Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base is the East Coast home of the Navy's Trident submarines.
- Cumberland Island has a free-roaming herd of wild horses descended from Spanish stock.
- The St. Marys River is one of the few undeveloped blackwater rivers on the East Coast.
- You can see the ruins of a Carnegie mansion and wild horses on the same day trip.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for high humidity and afternoon thunderstorms in summer; always carry an umbrella.
- Learn the ferry schedule to Cumberland Island—book ahead on weekends.
- Embrace the military community; many events and businesses cater to Navy families.
- Try the local shrimp—it's fresher than anything in a supermarket.
- Respect the marsh: it's fragile and full of wildlife. Don't litter.
Make this page better
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Part of Jacksonville area
Nearby
Every areaJacksonvilleFloridaWhere the river meets the sea and the sun never quits.FolkstonGeorgiaWhere the swamp whispers and the trains rollBrunswickGeorgiaWhere the marsh meets the seaWaycrossGeorgiaWhere the swamp whispers and the rails remember.JesupGeorgiaPine-scented days and riverbank evenings.StarkeFloridaPine‑scented roads and watermelon summers.PalatkaFloridaWhere the river blooms with azaleas.Lake CityFloridaWhere the springs meet the river, and time slows down.
Kingsland, GA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.