Okefenokee Swamp & Stephen C. Foster Campground

Tour Georgia’s 438,000-acre Swamp and Camp in Adjacent State Park

Apr 21, 2009

Interested in viewing alligators in their own habitat? Boating allows visitors to see wildlife up close in the fascinating Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia.

Alligators abound along the shores of the swamp and even swim alongside watercraft. Boating is the way to go in the western section of the Okefenokee Swamp, the "land of the trembling earth."

The water is ebony-black with tannic acid, the water lilies are bright green, and the grey Spanish moss drips from towering cypress trees — an awe-inspiring setting that offers great photo ops. Alligators, yellow-belly sliders (turtles), herons, ibis are just a few of the wildlife sightings possible.

Stephen C. Foster State Park is off Route 177 in Fargo and is the main western entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). From this base, visitors can take an hour-long guided pontoon boat tour ($12.50/adult), launch personal watercraft, or rent a motor boat, canoe, or kayak. The swamp’s principal outlet is the Suwannee River, which travels 280 miles through Georgia and Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. No pets are allowed in watercraft.

There's over 25 miles of day-use water trails (all water-level dependent). Head to Minnie's Lake, a 3.8-mile trip from the park along a winding channel. A day shelter is available at the lake, where boaters can fish (Georgia license required), picnic, relax, and snap a few photos.

Or head to Billy's Island, the second largest island (3,000 acres), 2 miles from the park via watercraft. It is named after Billy Bowlegs, a Seminole chief. The island has a day shelter for fishing and relaxing, an easy half-mile hike, and a small cemetery, testament to the existence of a small settlement here in the 1800s.

Okefenokee: Swamp and Wildlife Refuge

The swamp covers 438,000 acres and is roughly 38 miles by 25 miles (700 square miles). The swamp is 7,000 years old and is basically a peat-filled bog positioned inside a huge saucer-like depression that was once the ocean floor. The peat has slowly built up, with layers varying from 5-10 feet. These layers shift, for they are not solid ground; hence the moniker “trembling.” Okefenokee means trembling or quivering earth in the Native American language Choctaw.

Because the park is located within a National Wildlife Refuge, all cars are charged a $5 entrance fee and the gate locks at closing time (no late entry permitted). The other major entrance is in the east, near Waycross, Georgia. Over 400,000 people each year visit the area. Learn more at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge website.

Fine Georgia State Park

The Stephen C. Foster State Park was named in honor of the songwriter who wrote "(Way Down Upon the) Suwanee River." The park is located 18 miles from Fargo, Georgia and is immediately adjacent to the Okefenokee NWR.

Reserve a camping spot or a cottage via the Georgia State Parks system or call 800-864-7275.

Travelers to Georgia should be sure to include a boat trip through the Okefenokee Swamp and camping at the Stephen C. Foster State Park on their next trip to the South.

The copyright of the article Okefenokee Swamp & Stephen C. Foster Campground in Georgia Travel is owned by Cheryl Pratt. Permission to republish Okefenokee Swamp & Stephen C. Foster Campground in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.