Is Okefenokee Swamp open to the public?
Is Okefenokee Swamp open to the public?
The refuge is open daily and offers a variety of opportunities for the visiting public. Call 912-496-7836 or visit the refuge website for hours of operation, upcoming events, and entrance fee information.
How much does it cost to go to Okefenokee Swamp?
General Admission (train, nature show & exhibits)
| $20 | Adults (ages 12 & up) |
|---|---|
| $19 | Children (ages 4-11) Senior Citizens (ages 62 & up) Active Military (I.D. required) AAA Discount (bring active card) |
| $15 | Local Okefenokee RESA County Residents (must have current license showing residency) |
| FREE | Infants (ages 3 & under) |
What is so special about Okefenokee Swamp?
The swamp is considered the headwaters of the Suwannee and St Marys Rivers. Habitats provide for threatened and endangered species, such as red-cockaded woodpecker, wood storks, indigo snakes, and a wide variety of other wildlife species.
Can you camp in the Okefenokee Swamp?
Camping in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is only authorized with a Wilderness Camping Permit, which can be obtained up to two months ahead of your trip. One- to four-night wilderness canoe trips are available, but in peak season (March and April), only one- and two-night trips are available.
Where should I go in Okefenokee?
Stop in the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, hike on the upland trails, take a boat tour, visit the Chesser Island Homestead and the Chesser Island Boardwalk. Okefenokee Adventures (concession operation) offers guided boat tours, canoe/kayak rentals, boat rentals, and a gift shop are all available to visitors.
Are there alligators in the Okefenokee Swamp?
Okefenokee hosts an estimated 10,000 to 13,000 gators (according to Sherpa Guides), and they blend perfectly in water that is heavily stained by rotting vegetation.
What is the best time to visit Okefenokee Swamp?
Well if you’re talking about the Okefenokee, that would be in the fall. Not only is the weather just as good as it is in March and April, but during the fall the Okefenokee is also pleasantly devoid of the of the spring break crowds that descend on the area as soon as the snow begins to melt up north.
How many alligators are in the Okefenokee Swamp?
10,000-13,000 gators
The majority of Georgia’s alligators are found in the largest freshwater refuge east of the Mississippi River, the Okefenokee Swamp. In fact, an estimated 10,000-13,000 gators are thought to be living in the 396,000 acres of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Who now owns the Okefenokee Swamp?
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the eastern United States. It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which is under the Department of the Interior. The Okefenokee Swamp is approximately 7000 years old.
Is the Okefenokee Swamp on fire?
FOLKSTON, GA — A massive wildfire burning in south Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp has engulfed more than 200 square miles, causing evacuations as firefighters work in vain to bring the blaze under control. The fire was started by lightning on April 6 in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Can you fish in the Okefenokee?
The Okefenokee is home to 39 species of fish. The angler can expect to hook a few of the most common species in the swamp. These catches afford any angler of any age an experience worthy of remembering. The Okefenokee is home to the Georgia State record for the largest Bowfin (Amia calva) ever caught.
Are there bears in Okefenokee Swamp?
Black Bears They can be found in the North Georgia mountains, along the Ocmulgee River drainage system in the central part of the state and in the Okefenokee Swamp in the southeast.
What to do in Okefenokee National Refuge?
One of the greatest things about Okefenokee is that there is something for everyone to do – the refuge has the Swamp Island Drive (Wildlife Drive), hiking trails, canoe/kayak trails, boat trails (for motorboats less than 10HP), guided boat tours, and the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, the Chesser Island Homestead, and the Chesser Island Boardwalk.
How many species live in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge?
More than 600 plant species have been identified on refuge lands. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has 353,981 acres of National Wilderness Area within the refuge boundaries. In addition, the refuge is a Wetland of International Importance (RAMSAR Convention – 1971) because it is one of the world’s largest intact freshwater ecosystems.
How long is the Okefenokee Swamp drive?
If you’re interested in seeing the wilds of Okefenokee in a way few ever experience, read about our wilderness canoe trails. Take a cruise down our Swamp Island Drive, a 7.2-mile auto tour, featuring the Chesser Island Homestead and Boardwalk.
When does discover Okefenokee close for the year?
Discover Okefenokee – one of your national wildlife refuges. Hours: Open 1/2-hour before sunrise every day. Closes at 7:30 p.m.- March 1 through October 31, and 5:30 p.m.- November 1 through end of February. Visit website for closings.
