Traveling through these dark mirrored
waters is an adventure into a primordial jungle of moss
draped oaks and bald cypress which provide a home for the
swamp's 55 species of reptiles. The voices of frogs and
noise of crickets fill the air as alligators and
cottonmouths secretly prowl under overhanging foliage.
Okefenokee is named for an Indian word meaning "land
of trembling earth". A name which originated from
the tidal flows and unstable soil deposits that created an impression that the land
was vibrating.
Okefenokee's largest animals live in
the highland pine forests. The seldom seen black bear,
panther, foxes, and deer roam among these hammocks.
Surrounded by ducks, sandhill cranes, herons, egrets,
wood storks, ibises, spoonbills, and alligators in the
surrounding swamps. Together with the Ocala National
Forest in Florida, Okefenokee is the last stronghold of
the black bear in the South.
GA,
Okeefenokee NWR, Camouflaged Baby Alligator,
it loses these stripes as it becomes older.
The three entrances to Okefenokee
are located at Folkston, Waycross, and Fargo. Each
with water access into the swamp provided by canoe
rentals or guided boat tours. The east entrance located 8 miles SW of
Folkston off Hwys 121/23 has a mile long boardwalk that
leads to a forty foot observation tower. This is also one
of the embarking points for the 100 mile canoe waterway
into Okefenokee. The trail is infested with insects but
platforms are provided for overnight camping. These
platforms are designed to aid in keeping insects at bay
but insect repellent and mosquito netting as well as a
map, canteen, and compass should still be considered
essential camping gear.
The north Waycross entrance (8 mi S of Waycross off Hwy 1)
passes the Okefenokee Swamp Park. A private attraction
operating under a lease agreement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is
located just outside the park's north boundary and
provides an informative boat tour of the swamp ($12).
The west entrance at Fargo leads to the
area's main campground at the Stephen C. Foster State
Park (17 mi NE of Fargo on Rt 177). This 80 acre park has
66 campsites with water and electrical hookups ($15-20) and
9 cabins ($66-86). The campground is equipped with showers,
a coin laundry, and boat ramp. There are nature trails, boat
rentals and guided boat tours that can take you along the 25 miles of waterways
extending deep into the swamp. Boats are
restricted to a 10 HP limit on their motors. Fishing is
excellent with bass, crappie, perch, and pickerel which are caught
regularly and in good numbers. The state park is open
year-round.
GA,
Okeefenokee NWR, part of the 25 miles of canoe trails.
Although such canoe trips have there
share of danger, the alligators, cottonmouths, and black
bears are usually a secondary threat to visitors. The
main danger is getting lost! Every turn of the boat seems
to lead into an endless maze of lagoons, coves, and
canals. Each a mirror image of the one you just left.
