Georgia · National Seashore trail

River Trail Stop 2

in Georgia · centroid 31 mi from Jacksonville

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 tree shape and are easy to identify after a few years of growth.

As young plants just emerging from the ground, they can be easily confused with other palm species. It can be distinguished from saw palmetto by a long midrib that extends into the leaf, giving it a ‘v’ shape. Clusters of small dark blue berries ripen in winter and are reported to taste like dates.

Seeds and berries were used for treating headaches and fevers. Fibers can be peeled from the leaves and woven into rope, which was used for fishing nets and traps. The large leaves were pulled into strips and used to weave mats.

States: Georgia
Trail type: National Seashore trail
Centroid nearest city: Jacksonville, FL · 31 mi · ~55 min drive
Centroid coords: 30.7562°, -81.4725°

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-2.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 2 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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