Photography at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Photography is welcomed! Learn more about Filming Activities in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge offers exceptional opportunities for photography, from sweeping blackwater landscapes and cypress swamps to abundant wildlife found nowhere else. Whether you are a casual visitor with a smartphone or an experienced photographer with professional equipment, the refuge provides countless chances to capture the beauty of this unique ecosystem.
What You Can Photograph
- Wildlife: American alligators, wading birds, sandhill cranes, black bears, amphibians, and reptiles
- Plants and more: Cypress trees draped with Spanish moss, pitcher plants, ferns, orchids, lichens, other carnivorous plants
- Landscapes: Open wet prairies, cypress swamps, swamp sunrises and sunsets, reflections on the waterways, and star-filled night skies
- Seasons: Spring wildflowers, summer storms, fall colors, and winter light create dramatically different scenes throughout the year
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.
Learn more about Watching Wildlife.
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.
- 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 visitor policies, practices, and regulations applicable to the specific refuge or hatchery visited, and
- 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.
For questions about filming or permits, please contact us at Okefenokee@fws.gov.
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 the refuge office 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 Facility Services 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.
Share Your Experience
Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and help showcase the beauty of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. When posting images online, please promote conservation-minded messages and respectful wildlife viewing.