Wilderness 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.

Okefenokee 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.