Welcome to www.n-georgia.com

Enjoy Boating and Canoeing at Georgia's Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

Free Stuff To Do In Georgia Georgia Overnight Accommodations Shopping in Georgia Videos of places and things to do in Georgia Georgia Jobs and GA Department of Labor Weather in Georgia Maps of places in Georgia Contact Us Advertise in N-Georgia.com

Home
Georgia Travel Regions
Georgia Coast and Islands
Georgia Festivals and Events
Georgia Lakes
Georgia Fishing Lakes
Georgia Rivers
Georgia Waterfalls
Georgia National Parks
Georgia State Parks
County Parks
Georgia Wildlife
Georgia U S Forests
Georgia Farmers Markets
Georgia Gardens
Georgia Civil War Sites
Georgia Historic Sites
Georgia Museums
Georgia Plantations and Observatories
Georgia Audubon Society
Georgia Covered Bridges
Georgia Driving Tours
Georgia OHV Trails
Georgia Bike Trails
Georgia Horseback Riding Trails
Ourdoor Activities Safety Tips
Georgia Tourist Centers
Canoeing at the Okefenokee NWR
Of the 120 miles of boat trails in the swamp, 70 miles of trail are also open to day-use motorboats 10 horsepower and under.

Canoeing and Photography at Okefenokee NWRA canoe trip through the Okefenokee is an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Alligators glide through tea-stained water. Herons and egrets wade through tall grasses and water lilies. Privately owned boats, canoes and kayaks are permitted with no launch fee, however an entrance fee is still required. Motorboats with valid registrations and engines 10 horsepower and less may be used on specified trails within the refuge.

All boat users are required to sign in and out.

Boat Tours
Concessioner Okefenokee Adventures offers 90-minute guided boat tours that take visitors on a tour of the Suwannee Canal and Chesser Prairie, where one may see swimming alligators and wading birds in a primeval habitat.
Canoeing
A paddling trip through the Okefenokee is an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Alligators glide through tea-stained water. Herons and egrets wade through tall grasses and water lilies. Bears roam through hammocks and islands.

Checking for Grebe NestOkefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for these and other animals--almost 400,000 acres of wet prairies, cypress forests, and pine uplands. Most of the refuge is designated a National Wilderness Area.

Only seven overnight shelters are available in the swamp's interior (see map). Please read through this section carefully and understand all of the procedures and regulations. Remember: it is your responsibility to be prepared for a wilderness experience which may include temperature extremes, precipitation, high winds, challenging trails, and other factors.

Camping is permitted only at designated stops. There are only seven designated stops within the swamp--only seven groups may be in the swamp on a given night. Consider the skill level of individuals in your party before choosing a trail!

The swamp terrain is flat with only slight currents; there is no fast water and very little dry land. Your paddle will be used every inch of the way as you wind through cypress forests or cross open prairies exposed to the sun and wind. Paddling can be slow-going and strenuous on shallow and/or narrow trails. You may have to get out of your canoe and push across peat blowups or shallow water. Water levels in the Okefenokee Swamp sometimes become too low to paddle on certain trails; when this occurs reservation holders will be notified. Swamp conditions may dictate closing certain trails.
10 Easy Steps to Wilderness Canoeing in the Okefenokee Swamp
Canoeing at Okefenokee NWRBulletRead about how to make a reservation to obtain a wilderness canoe permit.
BulletDecide on your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices of possible trips you would like to do after reviewing the trail descriptions and available trips.
Bullet Decide on two or three possible dates you would like to do your trip.
Bullet Read the rules and regulations for wilderness canoeing in the Okefenokee Swamp.
Bullet Call the canoe reservation line at 912-496-3331 from Monday-Friday 7am-10am excluding federal holidays to make your reservation.
BulletSend in your payment and the required paperwork to the refuge.
BulletReview the wilderness canoeing rules and regulations and the supplies list with everyone who will be canoeing with you, the trip leader.
Bullet Arrange for your supplies, shuttle providers, and rentals, if needed.
Bullet Arrive at your start point early in the morning, unload your gear and pack your boats. Remember you must be on the water before 10am to ensure you have enough time to reach your shelter.
Bullet Enjoy your adventure in the Okefenokee Swamp!

Special Note: Some paddlers report that cell phones on the AT&T network appear to be able to get the strongest and most frequent signal in the swamp. However, cell phone coverage is limited at best in the swamp. Do not expect that you will be able to call and get help at a moment's notice. Plan ahead and be prepared to help yourself in case of an emergency.
Other Paddling Options
If you find that you are not able to get a permit to paddle in the Okefenokee Swamp or would like to add a few more days to your trip, there are some additional options. Consider paddling on one of the two rivers that flow out of the Okefenokee Swamp, the Suwannee River which flows to the Gulf of Mexico, and the St. Marys River which flows to the Atlantic Ocean. Note: You can paddle from the swamp directly into the Suwannee River, but to paddle the St. Marys River you must start outside the swamp.
Contact - Locations & Website Link
Pretty plants at Okefenokee NWRPhone: Okefenokee NWR Visitor Center - 912-496-7836 - Address: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 2700 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA 31537

The Okefenokee Swamp is located in Ware, Charlton, and Clinch Counties, Georgia and Baker County, Florida.

Link to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge website

Entrances to the Okefenokee NWR:
East Entrance - Camp Cornelia, Suwannee Canal (USFWS).

Secondary East Entrance - Kingfisher Landing (USFWS).

West Entrance - Stephen C. Foster State Park (USFWS and State of Georgia).

Secondary West Entrance - Suwannee River Sill (USFWS).

North Entrance - Okefenokee Swamp Park (Non-profit organization).
 
Loading



Join our facebook group

Okefenokee Info
BulletOkefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
BulletADA Accessability
BulletOkefenokee NWR Wildlife Observations
BulletOkefenokee NWR Hunting
BulletOkefenokee Photography
BulletOkefenokee Boating & Canoeing
BulletOkefenokee Hiking Trails


Colonial Coast Travel Region Printable Map
GA Coast & Islands
Printable Map


Check These Out:
BulletNPS Coast and Islands
BulletGA Coast and Islands
BulletGA Coast Events
BulletCoast Free Things To Do
BulletGA Coast Fishing Lakes
BulletGA Coast Museums


HomeFree Stuff To Do - Festivals & Events - State Parks - County Parks  - Georgia National ForestsWildlife Areas    
WRD Archery & Firearms Ranges - National Parks Services Sites - Hiking Trails - Horseback Riding Trails - OHV Trails - Bike Trails-Driving Tours
Covered Bridges - Historic Sites - Museums - Coast & Islands - Rivers - Lakes - Fishing Lakes - Waterfalls - Gardens - Planetariums -
 - Maps - Videos - Safety Tips - Dept of Labor - Privacy Policy -  Contact - N-Georgia Sitemap -Sitemap page 2
Cookies Policy
Website created 1999 ©2024. All rights are reserved. Website updated on 8/19/2024
.