Where is the Okefenokee Swamp Park?
The Okefenokee Swamp Park is located near Waycross GA, in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Waycross is 132 miles southwest of Savannah, and 82 miles northwest of Jacksonville FL. The National Wildlife Refuge itself covers 438,000 acres and has several entrances.
What's special about the Okefenokee Swamp Park?
While purists might prefer to explore the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge directly, visitors with kids may opt for the family-friendly attractions at the Swamp Park.
First, a few words about the Swamp itself. This giant bog-- once part of the ocean floor-- is characterized by peat deposits that can quake from a human footfall: the word "Okefenokee" comes from Indian words for "land of the trembling earth."
About's Guide for Paddling paints a picture of "a shallowly flooded forest of cypress, black gum, and bay, a dim and mysterious quagmire" interspersed with "sunlit expanses of marsh" with lily pads and grasses in the tea-colored water. You might see "otters, deer, raccoons, opossums, and maybe even a bobcat or black bear." 15,000 alligators are in residence; birdlife is rich.
Cartoon buffs may recognize the Okefenokee Swamp as home to Pogo Possum, Albert the Alligator, and other characters in the unique (odd?) cartoon strip, Pogo, that ran for decades until 1973.
As for the Okefenokee Swamp Park:
- General admission ($12 for adults, $11 for kids 5-11) includes live learning programs about gators and snakes, a swamp creatures area, boardwalk with observation points, and Pogo and Walt Kelly Museum.
- A tour on the Swamp Railroad, a replica steam engine, is included too. Part of this tour is a stop at Pioneer Island, with homestead, etc.
- Boat and canoe tours are offered, starting at $16, which includes general admission.
Packages are available that include lodging and breakfast at a Holiday Inn.
Where can I find out more about the Okefenokee Swamp Park, and National Wildlife Refuge?
- The Okefenokee Swamp Park web site has visitors' information and details about wildlife.
- the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge at the US Fish & Wildlife Service site has info, history, and month by month notes about wildlife and flowering plants.
- About's web site for Paddling offers an introduction to the Okefenokee Swamp.
