Photography

The Spanish moss-draped cypress trees around the water's edge are perhaps the most photographic aspect of the refuge, with white water lilies an intriguing foreground. Sunsets are quite spectacular from the boardwalk, and the bank is a great place to see the full moon rise. There are always opportunities for alligator and turtle photographs. Osprey can be seen on their bulky stick nests in late spring and early summer. Sandhill cranes overwinter by the hundreds and are great subjects for nature photographers. The most intriguing photographs are taken from a boat, as you can see much more on the water.

Best Practices for Wildlife Photography

• Protecting wildlife and their habitats is always more important than getting the perfect shot.
• Keep a safe and respectful distance from all wildlife. Never approach, feed, or disturb animals
• Use telephoto lenses instead of moving closer
• Avoid blocking roads, walking trails, boardwalks, or boat trails. Leave space for other visitors to move past you
• Stay on designated roads, trails, and water routes at all times

Ethical Photography

Photography should never interfere with natural behaviors of wildlife. The use of bait, calls, harassment, or habitat manipulation is prohibited. Please help preserve the refuge for future visitors by practicing ethical and responsible photography.

Equipment and Access

• Tripods and handheld equipment are welcome in areas open to the public and where they do not impede visitor access
• Photography is allowed from boardwalks, trails, boats, and roads open to the public
• Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems are not permitted within the refuge

Do I need a Permit?

The EXPLORE Act (Public Law 118-234), enacted in 2025, modernizes rules for filming and similar activities on National Wildlife Refuges. In most cases, you do not need a permit for filming or video recording when your group meets all of the following conditions. For questions about filming or permits, please contact us at Okefenokee@fws.gov. 

• Takes place in locations where the public is allowed
• Uses only hand-carried equipment and does not use a set or staging equipment
• Does not require exclusive access to a site
• Does not disturb or negatively impact natural or cultural resources, environmental or scenic values, or other visitors
• Is not conducted in a localized area that receives a very high level of visitation
• Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Your group complies with and adheres to all visitor policies, practices, and regulations
• Your group complies with other applicable Federal, State, and local laws, including but not limited to the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the Wilderness Act, and laws relating to unmanned aerial equipment.

When Permit Applications May Be Required

• If your group of eight or fewer people will not meet all of the conditions in the new law, or if the group has more than eight individuals
• If your project uses special equipment, drones, sets, staging structures, vehicles, or other gear beyond basic hand-carried cameras
• If your activity could impact refuge resources, operations, or other visitors

To apply for a special use permit, contact Okefenokee@fws.gov well in advance of your planned filming date. If instructed, please fill out a General Activity Special Use Permit application, which can be found on the Special Use Permit page. Allow for 30 days for review of the application and, if approved, processing the permit. These permits allow the refuge to coordinate logistics, protect wildlife and habitat, and ensure visitor safety.