At the end of April, Amanda and her sister-in-law took a day trip to the Okefenokee swamp to see what it was all about. They didn’t quite know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoyed it and were sad that they didn’t have more time to explore! This post delves into everything they learned about visiting the Okefenokee Swamp and the fun activities they did so you can plan your own trip to this little oasis.
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Where is the Okefenokee Swamp?
First things first, a common question is “Can you visit the Okefenokee Swamp?” and the answer is YES! The Okefenokee Swamp is a national wildlife refuge that welcomes visitors to come enjoy the nature oasis and learn all about the ecosystem and the history of the swamp and its residents (both human and animal!).
The Okefenokee Swamp is located in the southeast region of Georgia near the Florida border, approximately 4 hours south of Atlanta, Georgia and 1.5 hours north of Jacksonville, Florida. It is a great day trip option from both St. Simon’s Island and Jekyll Island, since they are only around 1.5 hours away by car.
When is the best time for visiting the Okefenokee Swamp?
If you are able, we HIGHLY suggest planning your trip for sometime between late September and late April. This is the best time of year for visiting the Okefenokee Swamp because the mosquitoes and biting flies are not in season. This also means you’ll avoid the horrid heat of summer where it can get into the 90s to low 100s*F. As Georgia natives, we may be used to this type of weather during the summer months, but we still hate it and advise everyone to avoid it if possible.
You can kayak in the swamp, enjoy a boat tour, canoe, camp on the water in the middle of the swamp, and hike to name just a few activities. Depending on how many activities you are looking to do and how much you are wanting to see, you can easily spend between 4-5 hours or a whole 8 hour day exploring the park!
Must Have Items For Visiting The Okefenokee Swamp
- Refillable water bottle
- Bug spray – Especially if you are visiting between May and September
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof bag for valuables if doing water activity.
- Small backpack to hold belongings
- Friction defense stick – A lifesaver if you have thick thighs and plan on wearing shorts when visiting the Okefenokee Swamp!
- Your comfiest walking shoes – Amanda wore her Allbirds when she visited, and they were perfect!
A Little History & Fun Facts About The Swamp
The Okefenokee Swamp is roughly 400,000 acres in size, which equals 625 square miles (1,600 kilometers)! More than 15,000 alligators call the Okefenokee Swamp home along with thousands of birds, turtles, snakes, black bears, and other wildlife!
The shape of the swamp is actually similar to a bowl or basin which makes it perfectly designed for gathering rainwater. In fact, all of the water in the swamp is from rainwater. There are no rivers or creeks feeding into the swamp. Isn’t that cool?
Despite relying exclusively on rainwater, the swamp has never fully dried out. There is always standing water in the swamp, with the depth of the water typically averaging three feet.
The Okefenokee Swamp is the largest black water swamp in North America. It’s referred to as black water because you can’t see into it. In fact if you were to put your hand into the water (which we personally wouldn’t dare do), you wouldn’t be able to see your fingers at the end of your hand.
This darkness is due to the peat in the water which is created from the decaying trees laying at the bottom of the swamp. The water is actually more of a heavily diluted tea color when you pour it into a clear cup. But fun fact: the water is surprisingly safe to drink! Our boat tour guide actually took a big gulp to prove it and claimed it tastes like green tea! We’re taking his word for it.
In the 1890s, the state of Georgia didn’t have the same standards for conservation that it does today, so there are actually a couple of man made canals within the swamp. While this is unfortunate, it provides an excellent access point today that is utilized by Okefenokee Adventures.
The Okefenokee Swamp is the second most lightning prone location in the United States with the first location being Tampa Bay, Florida. However, fire has been necessary for the swamp to thrive – many of the trees within the swamp are pyrogenic, which means they require exposure to intense heat to propagate. The swamp has seen roughly 8-10 fires caused by lightning strikes since 1840 with five of the fires causing major damage.
If you’re a nature lover, you may enjoy our list of 10 Books With Nature As A Main Character. These books have plots that entwine flora and fauna in such a way that it is as if nature itself is a central character to the storyline.
With so many alligators, is the Okefenokee Swamp safe to visit?
Yes! Gators are mostly docile animals and will leave you alone as long as you leave them alone and give them space. However, female alligators are very territorial and heavily guard their nests during mating season (April – July). Despite this, there have been 0 reported alligator attacks since 1937, so the odds are certainly in your favor for safety.
Things To Do In the Okefenokee Swamp
Exploring the Okefenokee Swamp SHOULD be on your bucket list – it is one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia and a wonderful way to experience nature. There are over 120 miles of water trails throughout the swamp that are ready to be explored!
As you begin planning your day full of exploration, you’ll see two different segments that can easily be mixed up: Okefenokee Adventures and Okefenokee Swamp Park. These are two different partners with the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge that work together to bring visitation and educational opportunities to the guests of the swamp.
The Okefenokee Swamp Park is a non-profit that opened its doors 75 years ago. While there is an entrance fee & general admission fees for this portion of the swamp, it includes a good bit. You can take a train ride, view exhibits, and attend a nature show. There are also package bundles that include a 45 minute boat tour as well if you are looking to get on the water with a guide!
The Okefenokee Adventures side has been open since 2000 and offers an array of guided tours, bike and boat rentals and overnight camping excursions. There is an option to book a multi-entrance & multi-day pass, so you can fully experience all that the swamp has to offer!
Amanda & her sister-in-law did the 10am guided boat tour through Okefenokee Adventures, then headed over to Swamp Island Drive to explore the Chesser Island Homestead, which included a walk the Chesser Island Boardwalk to the observation tower.
During their day they saw countless birds and turtles, 1 snake, and only 3 alligators! Their one regret from the day trip is not renting a kayak or canoe to further explore the swamp and enjoy the water more! You can either easily recreate their itinerary or choose from the available options below to curate your own.
Guided Tour Options through Okefenokee Adventures
Amanda and her sister in law did the 90 minute boat tour and absolutely enjoyed every minute of it! The guide was incredibly knowledgeable, entertaining, and had a palpable passion for the swamp. This is an excellent option for those wanting to get out on the water but not necessarily get in kayaks or canoes to do it. The boats have a canopy overtop but open sides to help protect from the sun, which was very appreciated and made for a comfortable ride! We highly suggest booking a reservation online.
Another boat tour option is the Sunset Prairie Tour which is a 2 hour tour at sunset of the waterways after they are closed to all other visitors. Advance reservations are required.
If you are looking to get out on the water in a motorboat, kayak or canoe with a guide, Okefenokee Adventures also offers four hour guided tours. Advance reservations are required, and they offer discounts for groups.
If you are looking for a more immersive adventure, then the guided overnight excursions may be a good fit for you and your group. Okefenokee Adventures provides the gear, food, and an expert guide for the whole excursion. There are options from 1 night to 4 nights on either an overwater platform campsite or on one of the islands in the swamp! A permit and reservation are required for this excursion.
Self-Guided Tour Options through Okefenokee Adventures
Kayak & Canoe Rentals – if you are looking for the DIY experience and the best way to see Okefenokee Swamp, you will want to rent a kayak or canoe. This is a very popular option & highly recommended! Amanda’s biggest regret is NOT doing this!
Bike Rentals – If you are looking to explore the swamp from land, then renting a bike is a great idea! You can rent a bike to explore the Swamp Island Drive which is a 7.5 mile paved roadway looping around Swamp Island (more on this area of the swamp below). There are many walking trails on this portion of the island to explore and places along the way where you can park your bike.
Camping – there are seven overwater shelters and two island campsites available within Okefenokee Swamp. The swamp is a designated dark skies location with little to no light pollution – so it’s a FAB place to see all of the stars in the sky at night time. Camping in the swamp is the only way (besides the sunset prairie boat tour) to see the stars because the waterways close to all other guests prior to sunset. Reservations have to be made via phone (no online option available) and permits are also required. If you need to rent gear, Okefenokee Adventures has a wide array of gear available for rental with advance reservation.
Swamp Island Drive – If you are looking to explore the swamp while staying on land, then consider driving the 7.5 mile loop on Swamp Island Drive. Here you can explore the Chesser Island Homestead, the home to a family of pioneers in the mid 1800s.
This historic home is furnished with traditional furnishings, as well as the syrup shed, chicken coop, garden and smokehouse. If you are lucky, you may be greeted by a historian on the front porch ready to share all of their knowledge of the original family and their connection to the swamp. Amanda was able to enjoy this special experience, and it was such a treat! The man was a treasure trove of information. We could have sat on that porch with him and listened to him talk all day! It was definitely a highlight of our time in the swamp.
The Swamp Island Drive is also home to the the Chesser Island Boardwalk, a 1.5 mile roundtrip boardwalk trail weaving through the swamp. During this walk Amanda saw an alligator napping in the water, turtles, and a snake slithering in the water – luckily there weren’t any animals on the boardwalk itself during her visit!
The boardwalk trail is a great way to explore the swamp and see it (and some wildlife!) up close while not being on the water directly. There are multiple shaded lookout points during the walk with benches to take a break if needed. At the end of the boardwalk is another gem worth exploring – a 50 foot tall observation tower where you can get a bird’s eye view of the swamp surrounding you!
If you’re visiting the Okefenokee Swamp soon and have any questions, ask away in the comments below!
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Looks like most stuff is closed Tuesday and Wednesday-can you still drive the loop on those days
Oooh the okefenokee swamp looks incredible for nature lovers! All those turtles, gators and birds! I am also in love with the fabulous vines hanging down from the trees. Beeeautiful!
I wonder why it is so prone to lighting strikes!?
Great post! I haven’t been here before. Looks like a fun adventure!