National park · United States
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Go for one full day from the Suwannee Canal entrance near Folkston: boardwalk and observation tower first, then a guided boat or a rented canoe on the canal; the entrance fee is a self-service fee box (2026 estimate; check the current amount), and Swamp Island Drive closes after storms (check).
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,627 km²628 sq mi
approximate
Established
1936
Best months
Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 1,627 km²628 sq mi
- About 402,000 acres inside the boundary, with roughly 30,000 acres of adjoining swamp outside it (check).
- Established
- 1936
- Best months
- Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Okefenokee is the largest swamp in North America and one of the least altered: a peat-filled basin of cypress stands, pine islands and open prairies, not a lake. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has run it as a National Wildlife Refuge since 1936, which is why hunting and fishing are managed seasons here and why it is not covered by national park rules. Almost all of it is roadless wilderness, so the visit is a boardwalk and a short gravel drive at the Suwannee Canal entrance, or a boat. Two entrances, Folkston in the east and Fargo in the west, split the crowds and the experience.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1936.
Size and age
1,627 km²628 sq mi · national park since 1936
About 402,000 acres inside the boundary, with roughly 30,000 acres of adjoining swamp outside it (check).
Why go
- The largest swamp in North America, and one of the least altered — peat bog, cypress and pine islands rather than a lake.
- You see it from water level: a canoe or a guided boat out of the Suwannee Canal is the whole point.
- Alligators, wading birds and Florida black bear in one refuge, with a boardwalk that gets you close without getting wet.
- Two very different entrances — Folkston in the east, Fargo in the west — so you can pick the quiet side.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool, quiet; some birds
- FebDry, mild, few insects
- MarWarm; alligators active
- AprWarm; nesting birds
- MayHot afternoons; insects start
- JunHot and humid; storms
- JulHeat, mosquitoes, afternoon storms
- AugHottest month; storm season
- SepTropical storm risk
- OctDry, clear, comfortable
- NovDry and mild
- DecCool; short days
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American alligatorsMar–Oct · Active and often visible from spring, but sightings are never guaranteed; keep well back and never feed them. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wading birds — herons, egrets, ibis, bitternsFeb–May · Numbers swing with water levels, so a wet spring is better than a dry one. | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Florida black bearApr–Sep · Critical habitat; sightings are uncommon and unpredictable. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Sandhill cranes and wintering waterfowlNov–Feb | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Mosquitoes and biting insectsMay–Sep · Worst in summer; long sleeves and repellent are not optional. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Jacksonville, FL
I-10 west to US 301, then US 1 north to Folkston and the Suwannee Canal entrance.
1.5–2 h (check)
Open the page →
From Savannah, GA
I-95 south to US 82 or US 84, then US 1 south to Folkston.
3–3.5 h (check)
From Atlanta, GA
I-75 south to I-16, then US 1 south through Waycross to Folkston.
4.5–5 h (check)
From Coastal Georgia plan
Where the swamp fits with Savannah, the Golden Isles and Cumberland Island.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Suwannee Canal Recreation Area (east) | Main entrance: visitor centre, boardwalk, canal boat tours, canoe rentals, Swamp Island Drive. | Open daily with a fee; the drive may close after storms. |
| Chesser Island (east) | A 1927 yellow-pine homestead on a swamp island, reached off Swamp Island Drive. | Open with the drive; short walk from the parking area. |
| Stephen C. Foster State Park (west) | A Georgia state park inside the refuge boundary, on the Suwannee River side, with campsites and boat rentals. | State park fee applies; separate from the refuge fee. |
| Okefenokee Wilderness | The roadless interior — cypress stands, prairies and peat islands. | Canoe or motorboat only; overnight trips need a permit. |
Sketch map
- 1Suwannee Canal Recreation Area · Headquarters≈30.738, -82.140Main east entrance, visitor centre and boat dock.Map ↗
- 2Chesser Island homestead · Village≈30.710, -82.160Approximate; off Swamp Island Drive.Map ↗
- 3Folkston · Town≈30.831, -82.010Map ↗
- 4Stephen C. Foster State Park · Gate≈30.800, -82.360Approximate; west entrance on the Suwannee River side.Map ↗
- 5Fargo · Town≈30.685, -82.567Approximate; gateway to the west entrances.Map ↗
- 6Waycross · Town≈31.214, -82.354Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refuge entrance, walk-in or bike | US$5 | person | 2026 estimate; check the current amount at the fee box. |
| Refuge entrance, private vehicle | US$15 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; check the current amount at the fee box. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | 2026 estimate; covers federal entrance fees for a year. |
| Guided boat tour from the Suwannee Canal | US$20–45 | person | 2026 estimate; book ahead in spring and autumn, seats sell out (check). |
| Canoe or kayak rental | US$30–60 | day | 2026 estimate; half-day rates are lower (check). |
| Overnight wilderness canoe permit | US$10–15 | person | 2026 estimate, per night; trips run only when water levels are safe (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entrance fee permit or guide
Wilderness canoe trip permit or guide
Guided boat tour permit or guide
Hunting permit or guide
Park rules
- Alligators
- Stay at least 15 m from any alligator, never feed one, and keep pets out of the water and off the banks.
- Pets
- Allowed on trails but must be on a leash no longer than 10 ft (3 m); not allowed on boat tours or in the wilderness.
- Fires
- No fires outside designated grills; the swamp burns in dry years and a spark can close the refuge.
- Drones
- Not allowed without refuge permission (check).check
- Wilderness camping
- Only on permitted canoe trips, at designated platforms or islands, and only when water levels are safe.
- Leave no trace
- Pack out all rubbish; do not pick plants or collect artefacts from the homestead.
Where to stay
Near the park
Folkston
Motels and inns 10–15 min from the east entrance; the practical base for the canal area.
In the park
Stephen C. Foster State Park campground
Campsites and cabins inside the refuge boundary on the west side; book well ahead.
Near the park
Waycross
The largest town in the area, about 45 min from the east entrance, with chain hotels.
Near the park
St. Marys
A small historic town further east, useful if you are pairing the swamp with Cumberland Island.
Safety
Alligators high
Getting lost in the wilderness high
Heat and humidity medium
Tropical storms and flooding medium
Wildfire smoke medium
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, boardwalk and observation tower are reached by a level path suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Swamp Island Drive is gravel but generally firm enough for a standard car in dry weather.
- Boat tours need a step down into the boat; ask at the visitor centre about assistance before booking.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the boardwalk and marked trails; the peat surface is fragile and recovers slowly.
- Do not feed wildlife or leave food scraps — it changes alligator and bear behaviour.
- Paddle in small groups and use the designated campsites rather than clearing new ones.
- Buy fuel and food in Folkston or Waycross so the gateway towns keep a share of the visitor spend.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge charges an entrance fee paid at a self-service fee box at the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area and the Fargo entrances — commonly about US$5 per person walking or cycling in and about US$15 per private vehicle (2026 estimate; check the current amount before you go). The America the Beautiful annual pass covers federal entrance fees. Boat tours, canoe rentals and overnight wilderness permits cost extra.
What are the best hikes in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge is mostly water, so the walking is short: the boardwalk and observation tower at the Suwannee Canal, the Chesser Island homestead walk, and the trails off Swamp Island Drive. For a real day out, paddle the canal or take the guided boat instead.
When is the best time to visit Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge?
February to April and October to November: mild, drier and far fewer insects. Summer is hot, humid and thick with mosquitoes, and June to November brings tropical storm risk. Winter is quiet and cool, with wintering waterfowl.
Is Okefenokee a national park?
No. It is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and it is often mistaken for a national park. That matters for passes and for rules — hunting and fishing are managed seasons here.
Can I see alligators?
Often, from spring through autumn, along the canal and from the boardwalk — but it depends on water level, weather and season, so treat any sighting as luck. Keep at least 15 m away, never feed them, and keep pets and small children away from the water's edge.
Do I need a permit to camp or canoe overnight?
Yes. Overnight wilderness trips need a refuge permit and a designated platform or island campsite, and they only run when water levels are safe. Day paddling needs no permit beyond the entrance fee.
Which entrance should I use?
The Suwannee Canal Recreation Area near Folkston for boardwalks, boat tours and the visitor centre. The Fargo and Stephen C. Foster State Park entrances on the west side are quieter and better for paddling the Suwannee River side.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go