At the headwaters of Suwannee and St. Marys rivers, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge known for its biodiversity. In fact, the Okefenokee Swamp is so diverse that this area is applying as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to acknowledge its importance to the rest of the world. For visitors, it offers guided swamp tours and an auto tour. There is also paddling trails for further exploring.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge at a Glance
|
Year Established: 197 |
|
Located: Georgia |
|
Size: over 402,000 acres |
|
Top Features: Jenny Lake, Teton Range and the Snake River |
Best Things to Do in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Stop by the Visitor Center
Take a Swamp Tour
Spot an Alligator at Okefenokee
See the Swamp Prairie
Go Canoeing or Kayaking
Take the Scenic Drive
Attend a Ranger Program
Pack a Picnic
Camp in the Park
Why Visit the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
With its location in the diverse North American Coastal Plain, the Okefenokee Swamp is a protected environment dedicated to preserving its at-risk wildlife and plants. This area is a recognized global biodiversity hotspot with freshwater wetlands and uplands.
The Okefenokee amphibian populations are bio-indicators of global health. With 90% of the swamp within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, visitors can learn about unique plants to the wetlands.
Located on the Georgia and Florida state lines, it is a convenient pitstop for those in the area. This area also offers recreational activities to learn more like guided swamp tours and canoeing or kayaking.
Top Things to Do on Cumberland Island
Stop by the Visitor Center
The Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center is where you can grab maps and junior ranger booklets. You can walk through its interpretive areas and this visitor center features a theater with an informative film.
Visitors can learn more about seasonal park ranger programming. There are restrooms and water fountains, too.
Located at 4155 Suwanee Canal Road, Folkston, GA. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free to enter.
Take a Swamp Tour
The number one thing on our agenda was to tour the swamp by boat. We totally lucked out and snagged seats on the next boat leaving.
Okefenokee Adventures is a concessionaire that operates inside the Wildlife Refuge. They offer a 1 and-1/2-hour tour of the Suwannee Canal on a 24-foot skiff.
I can’t even begin to tell you how glad we took a guided tour tour. The guide knew about the biology of the swamp and the local Okefenokee history. She pointed out many things I would have missed.
She answered everyone’s questions and repeatedly slowed down at different points of interest. Even backing up, so we could take some amazing pictures.
Adults (12 and older) are $35, and kids (4 to 11) are $30. Reservations are recommended. Tours depart at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. most days.
Best Things to Do in Gulf Shores
Wildlife Viewing in the Okefenokee Swamp
Experiencing wildlife diversity is one of the things to do in the Okefenokee Swamp Park. While exploring, I recommend you look for the red-cockaded woodpecker, an indigo snake and a wood stork.
My oldest son is nicknamed Hawkeye. He’s a nature lover and can spot animals from ridiculous distances. We were sitting in the front of the boat, and I think it became a source of pride to alert everyone else when we approached animals.
Our guide saw the heron from a distance and slowly crept the boat forward so the bird wouldn’t startle and fly away. When we were right up on it, she let us drift a bit so we could all bust off as many pics as possible.
American alligators are thriving in the park. Because of this, swimming and paddleboarding are not permitted.
Plant Life of the Okefenokee Swamp
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is home to 850 plant species. This includes 18 carnivorous plant species, the plants that eat insects.
I was amazed at the rich plant diversity in the swamp. One thing I saw on the boat ride was the Chesser Prairie. I had no idea that swamps had prairies, and I found so much beauty in Okefenokee.
Another standout species is the 500+-year-old pond cypresses in the Okefenokee Swamp. Other trees include bay and pines.
Okefenokee Adventures offers a special sunset tour of the Chesser Prairie on Friday and Saturday nights. Adults (12 and older) are $50, and kids (4 to 11) are $40. Reservations are recommended.
Best of Macon Georgia
Scenic Drives in Okefenokee
We headed out on the Swamp Island Drive. It’s a 7-mile loop that you can drive, bike or hike. There are 12 numbered signs corresponding to a guide you can pick up in the visitor’s center.
The guide gives you the features of each numbered area. It points out trails and historic sites.
Stop Nine features a flooded low spot popular with wildlife. Sandhill cranes, anhinga, and alligators can be found here. There are also blooming water lilies.
Part of the drive includes the Chesser Island Homestead, built in 1927. There’s the Chesser Island Boardwalk.
Kayaking, Canoeing and Boating at Okefenokee
In the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, there are nearly 120 miles of day-use paddling trails. Public boat launches are available at several refuge entrances: Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, Kingfisher Landing, Suwannee River Sill, and Stephen C. Foster State Park.
Stay on designated water trails only. Outboards are limited to 10 HP or less. Swimming and paddleboarding are not allowed due to the presence of alligators. Be sure and get the paddling map and brochure from the visitor center.
The Okefenokee Adventures also rents canoes and kayaks.
Top Things to Do at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield
Junior Programs at the Okefenokee
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, while not part of the National Park Service, is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It also offers a Junior Ranger program.
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about a national park or national wildlife refuge. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete.
Of course, my youngest son was all in. He picked up the booklet in the Visitor’s Center and got to work. The visitor’s center is kid-friendly and features a lot of hands-on things to do.
Top Things to Do at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Where to Eat at Okefenokee
This area is sparse, so I recommend you bring picnic supplies with you. Picnic tables are located near the Uplands Trails Main Entrance. The west entrance also offers some picnic tables.
If you are paddling, there are several covered shelters with picnic tables for day use. They can be found at Minnie’s Lake and Coffee Bay.
Camping at Okefenokee Swamp
There are eight overnight platforms and two islands for overnight camping for paddlers. These sites require a wilderness permit and are $15/person per night with a one-time $10 reservation fee. Canal Run, Maul Hammock, Big Water, Round Top, and Floyds Island are options.
Mixons Hammock is a land-based camping area 2 miles from Stephen C. Foster State Park and located at the west end of Billys Lake before the River Narrows on the Brown Trail.
How to Get to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is located 11 miles southwest of Folkston, off Highway 121/23. The main entrance is located near Folkston, GA, approximately one hour from Jacksonville, FL.
It is open from March 1 to October 31 from ½ hour before sunrise to 7:30 p.m. From November 1 to February 28, it’s is open ½ hour before sunrise to 5:30 p.m. It is $5 for a 7-day vehicle pass.
A word about directions. Have them uploaded to your phone before driving out. None of us could get a cell signal to use our GPS.
