Okefenokee Swamp
The Great Okefenokee Swamp, one of America’s most fascinating natural areas, is the largest, intact, un fragmented, wilderness Swamp in North America. “Okefenokee” what Seminoles called “Land of Trembling Earth” is approximately 700 square miles located in the southeast corner of Georgia, U.S.A.
The swamp was formed over the past 6,500 years by the accumulation of peat in a shallow basin on the edge of an ancient Atlantic coastal terrace, the geological relic of a Pleistocene estuary. The swamp is bordered by Trail Ridge, a strip of elevated land believed to have formed as coastal dunes or an offshore barrier island. The St. Marys River and the Suwannee River both originate in the swamp. The Suwannee River originates as stream channels in the heart of Okefenokee Swamp and drains at least 90% of the swamp’s watershed southwest towards the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Marys River, which drains only 5 – 10% of the swamp’s southeastern corner, flows south along the western side of Trail Ridge, through the ridge at St. Marys River Shoals, and north again along the eastern side of Trail Ridge before turning east to
The Okefenokee is crisscrossed by over 120 miles of paddle and motor boat trails. It is a major destination for wetlands nature lovers paddlers and boaters. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge offers a controlled and limited number of overnight wilderness paddle trail permits. The overnight paddlers permits are issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the administrative and management Government agency). A good number of wonderful easy to challenging day use paddle boat only trails and plenty of exciting and fun dual use paddle/motor boat trails are readily available for access without the need of a permit.
This site is sponsored by Okefenokee Pastimes Inc. a privately owned business located right at the East Entrance of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (the refuge headquarters entrance). Okefenokee.com was designed to be both informative and entertaining. We hope you will have some fun, learn something and enjoy yourself exploring our web site. If you have an interest in visiting the Okefenokee and the surrounding area, please consider using our business Okefenokee Pastimes for some or all of your travel service wants and needs while your here. We wish to provide for your: Lodging (Cabin rentals set up for every taste – you will not find a cleaner more peaceful place to stay even at twice our prices, reservations suggested), Guided Tours (Eco-Tourism, representing the highest quality half day guided experiences offered – Guided Motor boat or paddle boat tours of Okefenokee Swamp and Rivers). Outfitting (Boat rentals & Shuttles – support for the wilderness overnight paddle trail system). Camping (RV and Tent – limited availability, you can’t get closer to Okefenokee or have cleaner nicer grounds and restrooms – a Zoo or Chaos is not tolerated here), Art & Craft (Swamp Gas Gallery – is a small artsy gift shop with a tiny store). Please consider patronizing our business while you are in this unique section of the Southeastern USA.
For answers to Questions about Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge that are not related to Okefenokee Pastimes Inc. contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge near Folkston, GA. For answers to questions concerning our business, Okefenokee Pastimes Inc. but not found on the website please email us or call between 2pm & 6pm Eastern Standard Time (Check the contact page for email and phone contact info) – Okefenokee Pastimes Office is closed Wednesdays (our only day off) and Sundays except by prior reservation. Hours may change for Okefenokee Pastimes Off Season Times – Summer – aprox. June 5 to Sept. 15 & Winter – aprox. Dec. 10 to Jan 30th. Please check the contact page for Email and more communication info during those times.
