Visiting Okefenokee Swamp is for you, if you’re a fan of canoeing with alligators, birdwatching or cycling next to a lush, riparian landscape. We recommend Folkston as your headquarters.
Out of all of the swamps in the world, Okefenokee Swamp certainly wins for the catchiest name. Known as one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia, it’s certainly one of the more off-the-beaten path boomer travel adventures in the Southeastern U.S.
Guest writer, Leigh McAdam from HikeBikeTravel, shows us the best way to see Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, rich in both natural beauty and history.
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Visiting Okefenokee Swamp on a boomer travel adventure
Called the Land of the Trembling Earth, Okefenokee Swamp—located mostly in southern Georgia near the Florida border—might not be the first place that comes to mind for a visit. Banish that thought. A trip here offers a fascinating look at life in a blackwater swamp.
Not only is Okefenokee rich in natural history, but it’s got an interesting human history as well, dating back to 2500 BC when Native Americans occupied the area. Now, everyone from nature lovers to birders and plant lovers to photographers enjoy unbelievable natural beauty over a range of eco-systems.
Discovering a Georgia swamp for nature lovers
Most of the swamp has been protected since 1937 when it became part of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (official website). It’s the biggest, continuous blackwater swamp in North America covering close to 700 square miles.
Okefenokee is home to over 234 species of birds, 64 reptile species, 37 amphibian species, 50 species of mammals and an unknown number of insect species. The swamp truly is a nature-lovers paradise.
Exploring Okefenokee on a guided boat tour
One of the best ways to see the swamp is via the 90-minute Okefenokee swamp tour. The guided boat adventure leaves the Visitors Center every hour throughout the day. The boat moseys down the Suwanee Canal to a widening of the waterway, which is the turnaround point.
The canal was dug over a period of three years beginning in 1891. Big plans for turning the swamp into cropland never materialized, but a vibrant lumber industry did manage to remove most of the beautiful cypress trees over several decades.
All of this history and more will be relayed to you as you make your way down the canal. On route, you will undoubtedly see alligators as well as an assortment of bird life especially sandhill cranes, egrets and herons. You might feel like you’ve been transported to another planet when you see the cypress trees literally dripping with Spanish moss.
Boomer Travel Tip
Four-hour extended boat trips are available by reservation only. You don’t need a reservation for the 90-minute guided boat tour.
Finding other active travel options for touring Okefenokee Swamp
A boat ride isn’t the only way to explore the park. Active boomer travelers have a couple of options.
If you just have a few hours, rent a bicycle and explore the seven plus miles of flat, paved road. Keep a close eye out for alligators and snakes should you choose to do this.
Another option is a 1 to 4 night guided or self-guided canoe trip that takes you deeper into the swamp via a boat trail. You’ll paddle through evergreen shrub bogland, pine forest, wet prairie and cypress forest and camp on wooden platforms.
Experiencing history at Chesser Island Homestead
Don’t miss a visit to the Chesser Island Homestead, accessible via a car or a bike. Settled in the late 1800’s by W.T. Chesser and his family, a stop at the homestead provides a window into the tough life these people lived.
Walk through the house and admire the hand-sewn quilts on all the beds, visit the outbuildings which include a sugar cane mill, smokehouse and chicken coop. If you’re like me, you’ll come away thankful you weren’t born at the edge of a swamp.
Thanks to Leigh for a great introduction to a fun boomer travel idea.
Okefenokee Swamp travel tips
There are three entrance points to Okefenokee Swamp, all in Georgia. Look for the east entrance 11 miles southwest of Folkston, the west entrance 17 miles east of Fargo, and the north entrance eight miles south of Waycross. Entrance fees are $5 per day per vehicle. Boat tours start at approximately 9:30 a.m.
The Daily Refuge Pass costs $5 per non-commercial vehicle and is good for 7 days. The refuge also honors National Park passes, including those for seniors and military personnel.
If you want to avoid crowds and bugs, especially mosquitos (always pack repellent), consider a winter visit—November to February. Fall is also a good choice as long as there aren’t any hurricanes moving up the Florida/Georgia coast. Seeing the Sandhill cranes arrive is a big bonus to a November trip. Spring in Okefenokee is beautiful, but you’ll be part of the tourist crowd.
Although you won’t find 5-star lodging near the swamp, if you’re looking for something unique, try one of the lodges with cabin accommodations or a delightful bed and breakfast:
Okefenokee Pastimes Cabins has a reputation for clean, but basic cabins that are close to the wildlife refuge entrance.
The Inn at Folkston offers a delicious breakfast in a small town Georgia setting that’s worth experiencing.
Active travelers will find plenty of things to do at Okefenokee Swamp. Go wildlife watching on Swamp Island Drive, hike the trails, go canoeing or kayaking, and don’t miss the guided swamp boat tour. Fishing is another popular activity.
You’ll find an abundance of animals inn Okefenokee Swamp. Alligators, black bear, opossum and armadillo are just a few of the 50 mammal species that live there. The 620 species living in the swamp also include: 39 fish, 37 amphibian and 64 reptile species. Birdwatchers will delight in looking for 234 bird species.
Extend your trip
After a day or two exploring a swamp environment, why not cool off at the beach? You’ll have several choices that are close to add a touch of luxurious relaxation to your trip:
- Visit Georgia’s Golden Isles, St. Simons Island is our top choice.
- Head on over to northeast Florida for an Amelia Island getaway.
- Enjoy a Florida Space Coast road trip from Titusville to Melbourne.
Okefenokee plus the beaches of Georgia and northern Florida are the perfect combination for a fun, boomer road trip.
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