About Us
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is more than a swamp. It is a living ecosystem, a place of wilderness and discovery, and a natural treasure worth protecting.
The mission of the refuge is to conserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources and ecological integrity of the Okefenokee Swamp for present and future generations. Through science-based management, habitat conservation, research, education, and compatible public recreation, the refuge works to ensure that this extraordinary landscape remains a place where wildlife and wild places can thrive.
A Place Like No Other
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was officially established by an Executive Order on March 30, 1937 to provide a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge protects approximately 407,000 acres, or about 93%, of the 438,000 acre Okefenokee Swamp. The refuge is one of the largest and most intact precipitation-based freshwater wetland ecosystems in North America.
Located in southeastern Georgia and extending into northeastern Florida, the Okefenokee is a vast freshwater swamp shaped by thousands of years of natural processes, including rainfall, flooding, fire, and the gradual accumulation of peat. The swamp formed within a large, shallow geological basin. As water collected in this low-lying landscape, vegetation grew and decomposed, gradually building layers of peat that helped create the wetlands we see today. The nearby Trail Ridge, a natural sandy ridge along the eastern side of the swamp, helps influence the movement and retention of water within the basin.
The Okefenokee area has a rich human history spanning thousands of years. Indigenous peoples lived in and around the swamp long before European settlement, followed by generations of settlers, hunters, anglers, and communities whose lives were shaped by the wetlands. Historic homesites, cultural landscapes, and traditional uses remain important parts of the refuge's story.
Congress designated approximately 353,981 acres of the refuge as the Okefenokee Wilderness on October 1, 1974, providing additional protection for its natural character, ecological processes, and opportunities for refuge visitors to recreate in solitude. The Okefenokee was designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance on December 18, 1986. In July 2026, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was inscribed as a World Heritage Site, recognizing the refuge's globally unique subtropical peatland and its longleaf pine uplands for their rich biodiversity and the dynamic interactions between fire, water, plants, and animals.
Today, the Okefenokee is a remarkable mosaic of open-water prairies, cypress forests, blackwater channels, floating vegetation, pine islands, and upland forests. It is also the headwaters of two major southeastern rivers: the Suwannee and the St. Marys. Established to protect migratory birds and other wildlife, the refuge continues to conserve this extraordinary landscape for wildlife and for future generations.
Discover Okefenokee NWR
Wildlife The refuge supports an incredible diversity of wildlife, from American alligators and river otters to black bears, white-tailed deer, wading birds, and migratory songbirds. It also provides important habitat for threatened and endangered species, including wood storks, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and eastern indigo snakes.
Plants and Habitats More than 600 plant species have been identified on refuge lands. Cypress and gum trees, pond pine, longleaf pine, wiregrass, pitcher plants, orchids, and floating aquatic vegetation contribute to the refuge's diverse habitats. Each plant community plays an important role in supporting wildlife and maintaining the health of the ecosystem.
Recreation and Outdoor Experiences Visitors can experience the refuge through canoeing, kayaking, boating, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, and photography. Miles of water trails and designated recreation areas provide opportunities to explore the swamp while experiencing its natural beauty and solitude.
Resource Management and Conservation Protecting the refuge requires active, science-based resource management. Refuge staff work to maintain healthy habitats through prescribed fire, forest restoration, invasive species management, wildlife monitoring, and protection of natural wetland processes. These efforts help ensure that native plants and wildlife continue to thrive.
Wilderness and Natural Processes Much of the refuge remains protected wilderness, where natural processes shape the landscape. Seasonal changes in water levels, lightning-caused fires, rainfall, and vegetation cycles contribute to the dynamic character of the swamp. Preserving these processes is essential to maintaining the refuge's ecological integrity.