Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

A Remarkable Experience in the Heart of Nature's Majesty
Our visit to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was nothing short of spectacular! Nestled within the enchanting realm of the blackwater swamp, this refuge offers a glimpse into the untamed beauty of nature.
The blackwater swamp, with its mysterious dark waters and towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, exudes an air of tranquility that is simply mesmerizing. Exploring its labyrinth of waterways aboard a canoe was an adventure unlike any other. The sights and sounds of the diverse wildlife that call this place home left us in awe – from the majestic alligators sunbathing along the banks to the melodious chorus of songbirds echoing through the dense foliage.
Our family had an absolute blast immersing ourselves in the natural wonders of this unique ecosystem. The educational programs provided by the knowledgeable staff enhanced our understanding of the delicate balance of life within the refuge. Plus, the well-maintained trails allowed us to venture deeper into the wilderness, providing opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife photography that were simply unforgettable.
Whether you're a nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply seeking solace in the embrace of Mother Nature, a visit to the Okefenokee is a must-do experience. We left feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and with memories that will last a lifetime. We can't wait to return and explore even more of this remarkable oasis!
Thank you to the staff for maintaining such a pristine and welcoming environment. Your dedication to conservation and education is truly commendable. We wholeheartedly recommend this refuge to anyone looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience.

Such a beautiful wild place. I did the car tour since I had my senior dog with me. Saw an alligator, snake, turtle, butterflies etc. so peaceful, hardly any people there. Will definitely return to hopefully walk or ride bike

What an awesome place to visit. ProTip, if you are over 62 get the Senior Lifetime pass to save on entry fees. If you like nature, be sure to find the time to visit and tour. This is one special place to see.

Breathtakingly beautiful. You might not expect that a "swamp" would be so magical. Definitely take a tour. The boat ride was peaceful, you get to see so much, and the guide was awesome!

A day visit on our bikes. Loved it! Bring binoculars and a good camera. Lots to see. Be patient and quiet. You will reap the rewards.

Absolutely beautiful! I highly recommend renting a canoe. It allows you to go deeper into the swamp and explore side trails. You can get much closer to the wildlife as the noise does not scare away the animals like a boat would. If canoeing is not your speed, do the boat tour, the guides are very knowledgeable and can tell you a lot about the local flora and fauna.

We visited here in January renting a canoe for a pleasant three hour trip. Saw several gators, beautiful swamp vistas, and even a large bird that had caught and was eating a snake! For those who get the reference, apologies in advance to Walt Kelly but when I looked around, I saw the enemy and he is definitely us!!!

This was an awesome experience. We went in February during an unusually warm day (80 degrees). It was nice, not too humid or buggy. If you're not used to southern humidity and bugs, I'd plan to visit here during winter or late fall months. The visitor's center was great. The staff were helpful and shared so much information. It's such a neat experience. The boat tour is an additional cost, and it is totally worthwhile.

There is a federal park fee cash or card are accepted.

Great place to visit. Full of wildlife. We saw deer, rabbits, turtles, all different types of birds and of course alligators. The trails are nice and easy to navigate. Didn’t do a boat tour but will definitely be back to do one.

A great place to visit and see nature. We did a boat tour and walked the boardwalk out to the observation tower. I will return and do it all over again. That said, I would not take a small child or go in the summer. We were there in October and it was 90 degrees. The boardwalk has no railing and I would worry to much about a a small child falling into the water. The water might only be a foot deep and the fall is about the same, but I wouldn’t do it.

Coolest place to visit! I always support their preservation initiatives.

Tony and I went to Folkston, GA outside of Jacksonville Florida basically across the state line. This swamp is full of Alligators and is a Refuge. The cost is $5 per person and if you take the boat ride it's only $25 each extra. The ride is 1.5 hours long. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We were the only ones on the boat, kinda like a personal trip. Very nice! We were on the 930am boat tour on a Wednesday so it wasn't very busy and very enjoyable weather. The bugs didn't bother us much, but we did have on quite a bit of bug spray!!!
I tipped him $15 for the trip, we saw a turtle, 2 tiny frogs, several different species of birds, 3 Barred Owls and 4 Alligators. It was very enjoyable and I would definitely do again!! Highly Recommend you detour for the boat tour!!!

Alex is a 5 star tour guide on the boat tour. Friendly employees. Nice facilities. Just paradise to see wilderness so beautifully displayed and interpreted.

Great campground. Hosts, Rangers, and Staff were all so knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions. Alex was our guide on the boat tour through the swamp. Lots of gators sun bathing, birds and turtles. Most sites are very level and some privacy. Clean restrooms. Thanks to the Hosts and Alex for a great educated tour!! Will return!!

Beautiful! Saw so many animals! Was the best NYE view I’ve ever had! Took the family hiking out here and found more to do than we knew they had! They have a neat little museum/ gift store and also offer boat tours and kayaking! The Chesser Homestead, boardwalk & tower are really cool!

Came for the gators and was not disappointed. Rented a boat and spent a couple hours on the water taking in the sights and plenty of gators spotted.

I went on a trip through my college and we had a great trip! We got food, which was delicious, and a boat tour that ran for roughly 2 hours, plus we got to talk with 3 staff members about any and all questions we had about the Refuge as well as how to get into conservation as a profession! The personnel were super nice and helpful, you can tell they are all very passionate about what they do here. Highly recommend!

Truly amazing place with some great trails. Quiet, remote, wild, it doesn’t get much better than this. The Cane Pole Trail starting from the parking lot is very short, but has some nice views of the prairie. Other trails are accessible from the Swamp Island Dr south of the main road. Highly recommend!

The kayaking and canoeing are beautiful! The alligator count was astounding, great egrets, turtles, butterflies, dragonfires, bass etc... The Spanish moss covered cypress blowing in the breeze were amazing and the vast expanses of blooming lilly pads surrounding the grunting bull alligators was an experience not to be missed. Bring your suntan lotion, a lot to drink and enjoy!

I love this old swamp. The staff at the Waycross entrance is friendly and they do a great job in my opinion. Visiting this place brings back a lot of nostalgia from me because I visited many times as a child with my family and on school trips. Now as I enter the winter of my life, it gives me joy to know that this swamp will be here for a very long time. Long after I’m gone and forgotten.

So take your family, build some great memories with them at this place. I don’t think you could spend your time anywhere better.