Georgia · National Seashore trail

River Trail Stop 10

in Georgia · centroid 32 mi from Jacksonville

Stop #10: Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) Spanish moss hangs from the limbs of the live oak in the canopy. It can be seen the length of the River Trail as well as throughout the island’s maritime forest ecosystem. Neither Spanish nor moss, this plant is more closely related to the pineapples and other Bromeliads than any type of moss.

This is an epiphyte which is a plant that collects moisture and nutrients from the air. It is not a parasite and generally does not damage branches unless it gets too dense and heavy. Many animals such as insects, bats, birds, lizards, and snakes rely on Spanish moss for shelter.

Timucuan women collected the moss, smoked it over a fire or boiled it to get rid of the insects then wove it together to make a skirt or a sash. Spanish moss was used through the mid-1900s for stuffing pillows and mattresses instead of wool because moths are not drawn to it. Today it is used mostly for floral arrangements.

States: Georgia
Trail type: National Seashore trail
Centroid nearest city: Jacksonville, FL · 32 mi · ~55 min drive
Centroid coords: 30.7635°, -81.4707°

About Cumberland Island National Seashore

National Seashore

This trail is inside Cumberland Island National Seashore, a national seashore managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $15 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/river-trail-stop-10.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked River Trail Stop 10 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.

Stay nearby

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