Grass in the foreground with a green and blue tent on a platform with a roof

Overnight Camping Trips in the Okefenokee (scroll down for suggested itineraries)

There are seven overnight shelters and two islands available for canoe camping in the swamp interior. Permits can be made for anywhere from one night up to four nights (with one and two night permits ONLY available during peak season). There are a variety of distances and paddling skill levels, providing opportunities for everyone from beginning paddlers to experts. Remember: it is your responsibility to be prepared for a wilderness experience which includes knowing what to bring with you.  

You can make reservations by calling (912) 496-3331 between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., Tuesday through Thursday (excluding federal holidays). Reservations can be made two months in advance and can be made only by phone; no walk-in reservations will be accepted. Permits are limited to 20 people.  

Consider the skill level of your group before choosing a trail!  No motors of any type (electric or gas-powered) are authorized on overnight trips, so plan accordingly.  The swamp terrain is flat with only slight currents; there is no fast water and very little dry land, BUT 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 sometimes become too low to paddle on certain trails; when this occurs permit holders will be notified. Swamp conditions may dictate closing certain trails.

For more information on the Wilderness Camping Permits, please visit Recreation.gov or check out our Wilderness Canoe Permit Brochure. Please review the cancellation policy before making a reservation.

Learn more about camping opportunities in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Make a Reservation:  

Reservation hotline: (912) 496-3331
Tuesday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m.  10:00 a.m., excluding federal holidays

All individuals requesting a Wilderness Camping Permit will be REQUIRED to have a profile in Recreation.gov. Please make a profile BEFORE calling to book your permit. 

Permittees will be required to do the following through Recreation.gov

1.  All fees for trips will be collected through Recreation.gov.

2.  Any permit changes to number of individuals in the group (20 max) will be required to be made through Recreation.gov

3.  All permittees will be required to print their own permits and parking placards.  You may print your permit up to 7 days in advance of your trip.

4.  Permit holder must plan in advance! Absolutely no walk up reservations will be made for these overnight trips.  

Fees for Overnight Camping Permits:

There is a $15/person/night camping fee. An additional $10 reservation fee is also charged. Fees are processed at the time of reservation via credit card (all major credit cards accepted). Fees are required to be paid for at least one person at the time of booking the reservation (additional people can be added by the permit holder prior to printing the permit). 

Rules and Regulations

  • Canoes and/or kayaks ONLY are authorized on overnight Wilderness camping trips.  No motors of any type are authorized.
  • Pets, swimming, motorized vessels, and fires (except in designated areas) are prohibited.
  • Keep trails free from litter. Leave no trace; pack it in, pack it out.
  • Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms will comply with all provisions of state and local law. Firearms are prohibited in all buildings. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32).
  • The collection and/or capturing of any plant and/or animal is strictly prohibited. Do not approach, feed, or harass alligators.
  • Open fires (wood or charcoal) are permitted only at Canal Run, Mixons Hammock, and Floyds Island. Restrictions may be put in place during high fire danger.
  • All licenses, permits, equipment, and items, including vehicles and canoes, are subject to inspection by state and federal officers.
  • All state, federal and county laws regarding alcohol consumption are strictly enforced.
  • Entrance fees are included in the Wilderness Camping Permit. 
  • Commercial guide services are available to assist you with your trip by renting equipment, guiding, and providing shuttle services. The visitor is responsible for contacting these companies to find out about available services offered. Only authorized and permitted commercial services should be used within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Contact the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center for a list of commercial guide services. 

Know Before You Go

  • The Wilderness Camping Permit must be carried by each boat in the party. The group leader is responsible for making copies of permit and all associated vehicle placards.
  • Parties must launch before 10:00 a.m. to ensure that the overnight stop is reached before dark each day. All members of the party must be present at time of departure.
  • You must remain at the designated overnight area between sunset and sunrise.
  • Each party must sign-in/out when entering and leaving the swamp. Each entrance has a sign-in logbook either located at the boat ramp or the concession area.
  • Follow the route exactly as it is on your permit. Do not leave the designated trail.
  • Any additions or changes to permit must be completed prior to departure.
  • Portable toilets with disposable bags are recommended. Restroom facilities are available at overnight stops and at day-use shelters. See our map for more detailed locations.
  • Portable camp stoves are required for cooking areas where campfires are not permitted.
  • There will only be one group per overnight platform. However, day-use visitors (canoes and small motors of 10 HP or less) may access a large portion of the Wilderness Trail System and day-use shelters.
  • Refer to Georgia Department of Natural Resources for information on fishing and fishing licenses. 
  • Overnight groups should be aware that there is a portage across Floyds Island if you are going on cross swamp trips (i.e. entering at one entrance but departing at another).  The portage is approximately 2/10th of a mile across the island. If your trip is taking you back out the same way you came in, no portage is required, but you may have a short hike to the campsite area.

Overnight Camping Trip Suggested Itineraries

These are the most popular routes/trips and is not a comprehensive list of what may be available. This also does NOT represent what is currently available to be booked based on water levels, trail conditions, or other reservations. Some trips may be able to be done in reverse of what is shown on the tables below. Distances are approximate. Some trips (that enter at one location and exit at another) may require private/commercial shuttle.  

ONE NIGHT TRIPS 

Enter

Distance

(miles)

Night 1

Distance

(miles)

Exit

SCRA

SFSP

10

7

Canal Run

10

7

SCRA

SFSP

SCRA12Round Top12SCRA
SCRA8Monkey Lake8SCRA

SCRA

SFSP

13

9

Floyds Island

13

9

SCRA

SFSP

SCRA3Cedar Hammock3SCRA
SFSP11Big Water11SFSP
SFSP2Mixons Hammock2SFSP
KF8Bluff Lake8KF
KF12Maul Hammock12KF

TWO NIGHT TRIPS

Enter

Distance

(miles)

Night 1

Distance

(miles)

Night 2

Distance

(miles)

Exit
SCRA12Round Top6 or 3*Canal Run

10

7

SCRA

SFSP

SCRA12Round Top11Cedar Hammock3SCRA

SFSP

SCRA

9

13

Floyds Island5Canal Run

10

7

SCRA

SFSP

SCRA8Monkey Lake8Cedar Hammock3SCRA
SFSP2Mixons Hammock9Canal Run

10

7

SCRA

SFSP

SFSP

SCRA

9

13

Floyds Island6Round Top12SCRA
SFSP2Mixons Hammock11Floyds Island

9

13

SFSP

SCRA

KF12Maul Hammock8Big Water11SFSP
KF8Bluff Lake12Round Top12SCRA

   ♦THREE NIGHT TRIPS♦

Enter

Distance

(miles)

Night 1

Distance

(miles)

Night 2

Distance

(miles)

Night 3

Distance

(miles)

Exit
SCRA3Cedar Hammock11Round Top6 or 3*Canal Run

10

7

SCRA

SFSP

SCRA8Monkey Lake13Canal Run9Cedar Hammock3SCRA
SCRA8Monkey Lake13Canal Run6 or 3*Round Top12SCRA
SCRA12Round Top11Cedar Hammock7Monkey Lake8SCRA
  SCRA12Round Top    6 or 3*Canal Run9Cedar Hammock3SCRA

SCRA

SFSP

10

7

Canal Run    6 or 3*Round Top6Floyds Island

13

10

SCRA

SFSP

  SFSP10Floyds Island8Big Water13 Mixons Hammock2SFSP
  KF12Maul Hammock8Big Water8Floyds Island

13

10

SCRA

SFSP

   KF8Bluff Lake12Round Top11Cedar Hammock3SCRA

♦FOUR NIGHT TRIPS♦

Enter

Distance

(miles)

Night 1

Distance

(miles)

Night 2

Distance

(miles)

Night 3

Distance

(miles)

Night 4

Distance

(miles)

Exit
SCRA12Round Top6 or 3*Canal Run14Monkey Lake8Cedar Hammock3SCRA
SCRA12Round Top6 or 3*Canal Run9Cedar Hammock7Monkey Lake10SCRA
SCRA8Monkey Lake14Canal Run6 or 3*Round Top11Cedar Hammock3SCRA
SCRA8Monkey Lake8Cedar Hammock11Round Top6 or 3*Canal Run

10

7

SCRA

SFSP

SFSP

SCRA

7

10

Canal Run 6 or 3*Round Top6Floyds Island11Mixons Hammock2SFSP

SFSP

SCRA

9

13

Floyds Island5Canal Run6 or 3*Round Top11Cedar Hammock3SCRA
  KF12Maul Hammock8Big Water8Floyds Island9Bluff Lake8

KF

  *Canal Run to Round Top; 6 miles (Orange to Blue to Purple); 3 miles (Orange to Purple)

  ♦ Not available during peak season (March 1- April 30)

KFKingfisher LandingEast SideNorth of Folkston, GA
SCRASuwannee Canal Recreation AreaEast SideSouth of Folkston, GA
SFSPStephen C. Foster State ParkWest SideEast of Fargo, GA