Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Overnight Camping Permit
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Planning Your Trip
When you make your reservation, you will be reserving a camping platform (or island) or series of platforms. To view possible itineraries, click on the "Build Itinerary" button at the top right of the page. This itinerary page is a great reference, but it may not be 100% accurate if there are trail closures or impassable conditions affecting portions of the trail system in relation to certain overnight sites. The trails are designated by different colors and one trip may take you on several different trails - paddlers should look for colored trail markers which also designate the mile. During your trip, you must stay on the designated trails that take you on the most direct route to your overnight site. Some routes enter one part of the refuge and exit at another; please plan accordingly to either hire a shuttle service or provide your own transportation if you will be entering and exiting from different swamp entrances. For help with an itinerary or questions about current trail conditions, please call the Permit Reservation Line Tuesdays-Thursdays from 7:00 A.M.- 10:00 A.M. EST. For general information you can call the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center at 912-496-7836 from 9:00 A.M.- 4:00 P.M.
View the refuge map and Wilderness Canoe Guide here
Refuge Information
Located in southeast Georgia, the Okefenokee Swamp is one of the largest intact freshwater wetlands in the world. Nearly all of the swamp and some of the neighboring uplands were set aside as the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in 1937 and now total over 407,000 acres. One of the most unique experiences a visitor can have is wilderness camping in the vast and pristine swamp. With approximately 120 miles of water trails, seven overnight camping platforms and two interior island campsites, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors from all over the country (and the world) a unique recreation experience. Okefenokee NWR only issues one permit per platform each night, offering your party complete solitude to enjoy the swamp during your wilderness camping experience.
Need to Know
Trip planning information can be found the Camping page of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge’s website.
All refuge regulations apply: www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee/visit-us/rules-policies
Emergencies – Call 911 and contact Refuge Law Enforcement at 912-313-6955
Vessels – Only canoes and kayaks are permitted on camping trips. No motors of any type are authorized. This includes trolling, electric, gas-powered, or other.
Permit – Each boat must carry a copy of this Wilderness Camping Permit. You must only camp at the campsite listed on your permit during the dates listed on your permit. The permit holder must be present during the camping trip.
Length of Stay – During peak season in March and April you can reserve up to 2 nights. From May-February you can reserve 1-4 nights. After your permit ends, you must exit for one day before re-entering.
Platform Use - Cedar Hammock, Monkey Lake, Coffee Bay, and Bluff Lake serve both day-use and overnight campers—wait until late afternoon to set up camp. You must stay at the designated campsite listed on your permit from sunset to sunrise, unless safety (extreme weather, life threatening circumstances) requires otherwise.
Campfires are only permitted at Canal Run, Floyds Island, and Mixons Hammock.
Trails – Stay on marked, designated trails and do not visit campsites that are not included with your permit.
Food – Never feed wildlife. Keep the campsite clean to avoid attracting wildlife. Store food in hard-sided containers and cook away from your tent.
Litter – You must not litter, throw trash into portable toilets, or discard food scraps onto the refuge. Pack out all trash and food scraps when you leave.
Drones – Launching or landing aircraft (including drones) is prohibited.
Alcohol – Entering or remaining on the refuge when under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is prohibited.
Changes & Cancellations
The $10.00 reservation fee is non-refundable. Reservations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the entry date will be refunded camping/amenity fees minus a $15.00 cancellation fee. Reservations cancelled within 13 days of the entry date will not be refunded. If the refuge must close for any reason, all guests with affected reservations will be notified immediately and will be issued full refunds, including the $10.00 reservation fee.
Contact Information
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2700 Suwannee Canal Road Folkston GA 31537
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: FOR BOOKING, PLEASE CALL: 912-496-3331 FROM 7AM - 10AM ET (TUES-THURS, EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS). AFTER 10AM CALL THE VISITOR CENTER AT 912-496-7836
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Directions to the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area (Do not depend of GPS directions to bring you to this location)
Directions from Folkston, Georgia to Main Entrance of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
• Turn onto Main Street heading west. Go through two stoplights and across the railroad tracks.
• Take a left at 3rd light onto Okefenokee Trail (Parkway), also called GA 121/23 South.
• Drive for approx. 7 miles, then turn right at the large beige “Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge” sign.
• Follow this road about 4 miles to the end. When you reach a large parking area, you will see the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center on your left and Okefenokee Adventures is located next to the boat basin.
Directions from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
• Depart from the airport terminal on the airport road, turning into Dixie Clipper Rd. Take Dixie Clipper Road to I-95 Northbound.
• Follow the directions from Interstate 95-exit 3 (below) to get to Okefenokee
Directions from Interstate 95-exit 3 (Kingsland, GA)
• Take GA 40 West approx. 22 miles through Kingsland to Folkston.
• Where GA 40 dead ends at a “T” intersection, turn right onto Third Street then take the next immediate left onto Main Street (courthouse is on your right at turn).
• Follow directions from Folkston, GA listed above.
Directions from Jacksonville, FL area
• Take US 1 North through the towns of Callahan and Hilliard. After you cross the St. Marys River into Georgia, go about 4 miles until you enter the town of Folkston.
• Turn left at the 2nd stop light onto Main Street (look for brown Okefenokee sign)
• Follow directions from Folkston, GA listed above.
Directions from Atlanta, GA area
• Take Interstate 75 South out of Atlanta
• In Tifton, take US 82 East towards Waycross. Stay on US 82 East all the way into Waycross
• Turn Right onto US 1 South in Waycross heading towards Folkston. You’ll pass the Okefenokee Swamp Park along US 1 South. Continue driving on US 1 to Folkston.
• Once you enter Folkston, turn right at 2nd light onto Main Street.
• Follow directions from Folkston, GA listed above.
Directions from Brunswick, GA area
• Take I-95 South towards Kingsland.
• Take Exit 3 off I-95 and turn West (Right) on GA 40
• Follow directions from Interstate 95-Exit 3 listed above
• Follow directions from Folkston, GA listed above.
Directions from Interstate 10 and St. George
• Take exit 48 from I-10 onto FL 121 North.
• Drive north on Fl 121 approx. 20 miles until you reach St George, GA. The road designation will switch to GA 121/23 when you cross over the St. Marys River into Georgia.
• Proceed north approx. 14 miles until you see “Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge” sign, turn left and follow this road about 4 miles to the Visitor Center.
Available Campsites
- Site Floyds Island, Loop Floyds Island, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Monkey Lake, Loop Monkey Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Mixons Hammock, Loop Mixons Hammock, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Cedar Hammock, Loop Cedar Hammock, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Coffee Bay, Loop Coffee Bay, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bluff Lake, Loop Bluff Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Round Top, Loop Round Top, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Canal Run, Loop Canal Run, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Maul Hammock, Loop Maul Hammock, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Big Water, Loop Big Water, Type Standard Nonelectric
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