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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Okefenokee NWR, located about 11 miles southwest of Folkston, was established in 1937 to preserve the 438,000 acre Okefenokee Swamp. The refuge encompasses approximately 396,000 acres with 353,000 acres designated as a National Wilderness Area. Swamp habitats include open wet "prairies," cypress forests, scrub-shrub vegetation, upland islands, and open lakes. Wildlife species include wading birds, ducks, alligators and other reptiles, a variety of amphibians, bobcats, raptors, white-tailed deer, black bears, and songbirds. The swamp has a rich human history including Native American occupation, early settlers, a massive drainage attempt, and intensive timber harvesting. Glimpses of the past are visible at Chesser Island Homestead, Billy's Island, Floyd's Island, and Suwannee Canal. The prosperity and survival of the swamp, and the species dependent on it, is directly tied with maintaining the integrity of complex ecological processes, including hydrology and fire.
RecAreaDirections
Okefenokee NWR has 3 primary and 2 secondary entrances. The main entrance is located 11 miles southwest of Folkston, GA off Highway 121/23, 912-496-7836. The west entrance is located 17 miles east of Fargo, GA off Highway Spur 177, 912-637-5274. The north entrance is located 8 miles south of Waycross, Ga off Highway 1, 912-283-0583. Secondary entrances are located at Kingfisher Landing, off Highway 1 north of Folkston, and the Suwannee River Sill, accessed from Highway Spur 177 east of Fargo.
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Permits info
Facilities
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Overnight Camping Permit Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Planning Your Trip
When you make your reservation, you will be reserving a camping platform (or island) or series of platforms. To view possible itineraries, click on the "Build Itinerary" button at the top right of the page. This itinerary page is a great reference, but it may not be 100% accurate if there are trail closures or impassable conditions affecting portions of the trail system in relation to certain overnight sites. The trails are designated by different colors and one trip may take you on several different trails - paddlers should look for colored trail markers which also designate the mile. During your trip, you must stay on the designated trails that take you on the most direct route to your overnight site. Some routes enter one part of the refuge and exit at another; please plan accordingly to either hire a shuttle service or provide your own transportation if you will be entering and exiting from different swamp entrances. For help with an itinerary or questions about current trail conditions, please call the Permit Reservation Line Tuesdays-Thursdays from 7:00 A.M.- 10:00 A.M. EST. You can also call the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center at 912-496-7836 from 9:00 A.M.- 4:00 P.M.
View the refuge map and Wilderness Canoe Guide here
Refuge Information
Located in southeast Georgia, the Okefenokee Swamp is one of the largest intact freshwater wetlands in the world. Nearly all of the swamp and some of the neighboring uplands were set aside as the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in 1937 and now total over 407,000 acres. One of the most unique experiences a visitor can have is wilderness camping in the vast and pristine swamp. With approximately 120 miles of water trails, seven overnight camping platforms and two interior island campsites, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors from all over the country (and the world) a unique recreation experience. Okefenokee NWR only issues one permit per platform each night, offering your party complete solitude to enjoy the swamp during your wilderness camping experience.
contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (912) 496-7836 for general information.Charges & Cancellations
The $10.00 reservation fee is non-refundable. Reservations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the entry date will be refunded camping/amenity fees minus a $15.00 cancellation fee. Reservations cancelled within 13 days of the entry date will not be refunded. If the refuge must close for any reason, all guests with affected reservations will be notified immediately and will be issued full refunds, including the $10.00 reservation fee.
