okefenokee swamp tour

Explore the

Okefenokee Swamp

Something for everyone.

Explore the wildlife and vast wilderness, past Native American civilizations, pioneers and settlers, waterways and habitats of North America’s largest “blackwater” swamp. Whether you’re looking for a few hours of family fun by land or water, or whether you’re seeking a multi-day immersion in the solitude of the swamp’s 438,000 acres of natural splendor, we have something for everyone at our three unique swamp entrances.

Things to Do

Auto Tour Route

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

The Auto Tour Route, also known as the Swamp Island Drive at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, is a 7.2-mile paved road, which can be used by cars, bikes and walkers. This scenic route is a great way to experience the beauty of the refuge in a comfortable, stress-free way. The Swamp Island Drive provides access to several hiking trails as well as the Chesser Island Homestead and Chesser Island Boardwalk. Additionally, the Swamp Island Drive has an interpretive brochure to aid guests as they are learning about the flora, fauna, and history of the refuge.

Stephen C. Foster State Park

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping Permits

There are 63 tent and RV campsites within Stephen C. Foster State Park, offering many opportunities for visitors to experience the unique camping environment of the park. While camping, visitors are close to the park’s many activities, and astronomy enthusiasts can enjoy some of the best stargazing in the southeast.

A bucket list trip for visitors from around the globe, camping in the heart of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is an adventure for both the expert and the novice in the outdoors. A variety of overnight camping platforms and islands provides opportunities for camping from one-four nights in the swamp.

Photo credit: Jay Blanton

Canoeing, Kayaking & Boating

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge w/ Okefenokee Adventures

Okefenokee Swamp Park

Whether bringing your own boat or renting one, paddling, kayaking and boating is an unmatched opportunity to experience the swamp. Public boat launches, canoe, kayak and Jon boat rentals are available at both the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C. Foster State Park entrances, while the Okefenokee Swamp Park Paddle Sundays provide visitors at this entrance with an opportunity to rent kayaks or canoes on Sundays.

Photo credit: Chris Moncus

Visitors looking for a more home-like overnight experience at Stephen C. Foster State Park will find our park cottages a great alternative to camping. The cottages can hold 6-8 people, and some can accommodate wheelchairs, offering a comfortable and convenient overnight stay.

Cultural Sites/Interpretation

Cultural sites are available at all three swamp entrances, providing visitors with a window into the past cultures, history and activities within the resource-rich Okefenokee.

Daily Nature Shows

The Eye on Nature shows at the Okefenokee State Park are daily interactive experiences that teach visitors about the different native wildlife that make their homes in the park. These shows are held at the Okefenokee State Park Nature Center and/or the Lagoon Amphitheater and feature live animals, including snakes, turtles and even baby alligators.

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Camp Cornelia Café

Okefenokee Adventures

Cornelia Café is located in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and is operated by the Refuge onsite concessionaire, Okefenokee Adventures. The restaurant offers delicious food, including sandwiches, salads, vegetarian options, and low country shrimp boils, and is the perfect place to launch, relax or refuel for your swamp adventure.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness Canoeing

Whether you bring your own boat (canoe/kayak, or boat w/ motor less than 10HP), or rent from Okefenokee Adventures, hitting the water trails is an unmatched opportunity to truly experience what the refuge has to offer. A public boat launch provides access to 120-miles of boating trails for day-use or overnight trips. Canoes, kayaks, and Jon boats are available to rent at Okefenokee Adventures for travelers that would like the experience of being out on the water trails, but do not have a boat of their own. All guests need to sign in/out if going out on the water – trail conditions change rapidly, check with either Okefenokee Adventures or the Visitor Center on the latest status of water levels and trail closures. Additional public boat launches at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge are located at Kingfisher Landing and the Suwannee River Sill.

Chesser Island Homestead

Chesser Island Homestead is a living history museum showcasing structural necessities of self-sufficient living in the resource-rich Okefenokee from the 1850s through the 1950s. Walk the grounds of the Homestead to take a step back in time to the days of the early settlers. Volunteer docents offer tours of the inside of the house seasonally.

Educational Programs

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - For Educators

Taking your class on a field trip to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is an incredible way to give your students an unforgettable, hands-on experience in nature. You can schedule a self-guided trip, take one of the guided tours, or request environmental education programs at the refuge.

Fishing on National Wildlife Refuges

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge provides exciting freshwater fishing opportunities for bream, catfish, bowfin, and even the occasional largemouth bass! A variety of different habitats are easily accessible from a boat, including many natural lakes and prairies, along with the Suwannee Canal, which offers deeper water than the rest of the swamp. All of the waters along the refuge’s water trails are open to fishing. Bank fishing opportunities are available along the Canepole Trail and around the refuge boat basin. State and refuge regulations apply.

Photo credit: Mike Sepelak

Billy’s Island

Accessed by boat through Stephen C. Foster State Park, this historic island in the Okefenokee has been inhabited by man for generations. Most recently, the Hebard Cypress Company had a lumber camp on the island in 1918, eventually supporting approximately 600 people. This island is the second largest in the swamp and is only accessible by boat.

Canoeing, Kayaking and Boating

For adventurous visitors, canoe and kayak rentals are available to explore the waters of the swamp. Canoeing and kayaking allow for an up-close and personal experience of the swamp, and unparalleled wildlife viewing. As an alternative to canoes and kayaks, Stephen C. Foster State Park also offers Jon boat rentals for park visitors who are interested in further exploration of the swamp waters.

Stephen C. Foster State Park offers a variety of educational group experiences, including guided boat tours, paddle tours, and hiking. They also provide educational programs that cover topics including astronomy, reptiles, swamp topography, and more.

Stephen C. Foster State Park is a prime fishing location, particularly for warmouth, bluegill, catfish, chain pickerel and bowfin. Canoe, kayak and Jon boat rentals are available through the park, or visitors may bring their own.

The gift shop at Stephen C. Foster State Park provides visitors a convenient way to shop for a variety of items, including apparel, food and snacks, camping supplies, souvenirs, and more.

Boardwalks & Nature Center

Okefenokee Swamp Park offers and boardwalks, including one that takes visitors to the tallest observation tower in the swamp. The Nature Center is home to the serpentarium, which houses many different species of snake, as well as a family of bears, turtles, and baby alligators. The center also hosts a variety of interactive activities, including the Eye on Nature series.

Opportunities for cultural interpretation at the Okefenokee Swamp Park include Vereen Bell Memorial Highway, Cowhouse Island, authentically recreated Timucua and Seminole residences, logging machinery, turpentine equipment, and a moonshine still from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Skull Lake, Pioneer Island and Wildes Cabin exhibits echo times of early Indian cultures, pioneers, movie making and major fires in the Okefenokee.

Cypress Cove Annex Group Space

Cypress Cove Annex is a beautiful facility, equipped to handle a variety of events, from business meetings to weddings. The Annex can comfortably hold up to 200 people, has a fully equipped kitchen, and is surrounded by the incredible wilderness of Okefenokee Swamp. Additional indoor meeting space is available at the park Nature Center, while outdoor meeting space includes the Pavilion, the Amphitheater and an outdoor wedding gazebo. Both Cypress Cove Annex and the Nature Center are connected to the internet with fiber optic cable.

Daily ‘Eye on Nature’ Shows

The Eye on Nature shows are daily interactive experiences that teach visitors about the different native wildlife that make their homes in the park. These shows are held at the Nature Center and/or the Lagoon Amphitheater and feature live animals, including snakes, turtles and even baby alligators.

Okefenokee Swamp Park offers field trip reservations for school groups, and discounted guided tour rates for school trips. Reservations can be made four weeks or more in advance to allow your class an unforgettable outdoor education experience.

Guided Boat Excursions

Experienced tour guides take park visitors on a 45-minute boat ride through waterways, sharing their knowledge of the cultural and natural history of the area. These tours are a unique way to experience the beauty and history of the swamp, and to encounter some of the natural wildlife along the way. A Group Boat Tour is available too for groups of 12 or more. Reservations required.

Chart Your Course

Activity Map

Explore Locations

Enjoy a variety of fun activities and a wonderful show-window into the swamp under a forest canopy. Wilderness boardwalks and walkways, guided boat tours along swamp waterways, live wildlife shows and habitats, a pioneer island homestead and railroad tour are just a few of the park highlights.

This remote park is a primary entrance to the legendary Okefenokee Swamp. Paddlers and photographers will enjoy breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. Stargazers will appreciate the particularly dark sky.

Same-day reservations are recommended for guided boat tours. Ask about our sunset and night tours. Rent canoes, kayaks or Jon boats for further exploration, including a trip to historic Billy’s Island.

Make time for fishing by staying overnight in a cabin or campsite.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge with Okefenokee Adventures

Enjoy exploration and wilderness observation, hiking, driving or biking along our Swamp Island Drive. Stop by our visitor center, take a guided boat tour, or kayak or canoe into our famous swamp prairies through cypress-lined waters, lily pads and grassy islands.

Onsite concession, Okefenokee Adventures, offers canoe, kayak and Jon boat rentals, cafe and gift shop.

At the heart of Southeast Georgia, the historic town of Waycross is a city filled with Southern hospitality and charm with numerous opportunities for dining, lodging and shopping, as well as attractions such as the Historic Downtown district, the Okefenokee Swamp Park, the Southern Forest World Museum, the Okefenokee Heritage Center, and more.

Experience rural South Georgia, with a taste of authentic, small-town charm.

This excellent weekend getaway is complete with beautiful sights, outdoor exploration, and a rich history. Centrally located between Amelia Island, St. Marys, Jacksonville, and Savannah, Charlton County is only a short drive from I-95, making it the ideal place to experience everything South Georgia has to offer.

Get up close and personal with trains by relaxing under the Folkston Funnel, visiting the historical train museum, or even sleeping overnight in a train cart. Immerse yourself in off the beaten path experiences at the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge. Photograph the overhanging beauty and wildlife or take a step back in time and see how the early swampers dwelled.

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Waycross Convention & Visitors Bureau . 417 Pendleton St. Waycross, GA 31501 912.287.2969

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Okefenokee Swamp Park

The locally owned and operated Okefenokee Swamp Park is at the northern tip of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and acts as a gateway for thousands of visitors every year into the swamp itself.

The wonderous world of the Okefenokee is a significant part of America’s heritage, a beautifully preserved segment of what was here when America began. The swamp is the headwaters for both the Suwanee and St. Marys rivers and was recently added to the National Wilderness System. The park is a convenient point of entry to the refuge and is a magnificent showcase for the natural wonderland. The park’s lily lined water trails reflect the overhanging beauty of the unique local flora and lead to all points in the vast wilderness of islands, lakes, jungles, forest, and prairies in the land of the trembling earth.

Okefenokee Swamp Park is a rare and exciting experience for every member of the family. Extravagantly beautiful, the swamp, which covers nearly a half-million acres, carries you back into the Earth’s primordial beginnings. Interpretive exhibits, lectures, wildlife shows, boat tours on original Native American waterways, wilderness walkways, Pioneer Island, and native animals in their natural habitat, all combine for the complete Okefenokee experience. See firsthand how nature’s balance assures the perpetuation of the flora and fauna, and even the swamp itself.

The pristine beauty of the park and swamp make the Okefenokee a photographer’s dream.

SWAMP PARK TRAIN

Guests at Okefenokee Swamp Park can climb aboard The Lady Suwannee and ride the Okefenokee Railroad, a 1.5-mile rail system that serves as the mode of transportation to get around the park. Train tours take visitors along the edge of a portion of the swamp and through many points of interest, including a stop at Pioneer Island, the re-creation of an early swamp homestead.

ADVENTURE WALK TO OBSERVATION TOWER

Nearly a half-mile round trip journey via one of the park’s newest additions takes you through the path of our original boardwalk that was lost in the 2007 Big Turnaround Fire. Our new lower walkway takes visitors just above the surface of the Okefenokee Swamp, giving guests a closer look at this unique ecosystem. The walk ends at our 90-foot observation tower.

This is the educational opportunity of a lifetime. Participants will learn more about the native animals of the Okefenokee Swamp during a 20-25 minute program designed for all ages. Live native snakes and young alligators are shown during the presentation.

BOAT EXCURSION

Get aboard a one-of-a-kind guided boat excursion into the Okefenokee Swamp. Your journey will take you down original Seminole Indian waterways, allowing the opportunity to see native plants and wildlife. For the adventurous, this trip will afford you the opportunity to climb the 90-foot observation tower for a panoramic view. (Boat excursions are not recommended for children 7 and younger or individuals with medical conditions.)

OSCAR THE ALLIGATOR

Oscar was the Okefenokee Swamp’s most popular resident until he died in the summer of 2007. He is now immortalized in the swamp he called home for nearly a century. Bone by bone, the aged star has been brought back to life, thanks to Don Berryhill, who, along with Jim Brewer and many others, volunteered to piece Oscar’s bones together like a massive puzzle to create a unique exhibit.

GEORGIA’S NATURAL WONDER ANIMALS

The Okefenokee Swamp is a true wildlife refuge. The animals seen in the great swamp are in their natural surroundings. These are the natural inhabitants, the original inhabitants, and all are now protected by law. Few places in America can offer as varied and extensive wildlife as this Southeastern swamp. More than 200 species of birds have been identified by refuge personnel and visiting ornithologists. There are more than 40 species of mammals, more than 50 species of reptiles and 60 species of amphibians. The waters are home to at least 34 species of fish.

417 Pendleton St., Waycross, GA 31501 . 912.287.2969

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• Adventure with us into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge!

Okefenokee Overnight Adventure

Quick details.

• Calendar Duration: 2 Nights, 3 Days

WHEN:   Be on the lookout for November 2024 dates. CUSTOM DATES AVAILABLE BY REQUEST.

WHERE:   Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. To begin at Suwanee Canal Recreation Area.

Adventure With us to The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge!

On this 2 night, 3 day trip into the Okefenokee Swamp, the “Land of the Trembling Earth,” we will explore the natural beauty and abundance of wildlife found in this unique wilderness area. The refuge also boasts some of the darkest skies in the Southeast! After a magnificent sunset, gaze up at the stars and spot the Milky Way among the breathtaking night sky.

Our guides create a safe, informative, and enjoyable experience. Platform camping is how it’s done in the swamp, offering a front stage view and continuous opportunities for flora and fauna sightings. Over the course of the weekend delicious meals will be prepared for you. In addition to a boat, paddle(s) and personal flotation device(s), a tent will also be provided. Plan to bring your own sleeping pad and bag, but we can also provide that for you – just let us know.

If you’d like to head down the day before to avoid making an extra-early drive, make a reservation at Okefenokee Pastimes Cabins and Campground and meet us in the evening for dinner and breakfast in the morning! You will have access to the tent you will use on the trip if you select a tent site.

To inquire about using a personal vessel on the trip, please call before booking to discuss further. 478-733-3386

Platform reservation cost ($15/person per night) is included in the overall trip cost.

Related Activities

• The most unique way to experience the Ocmulgee
• Hour Glass 2 Hours

Full Moon Float

One of our most popular trips! Experience the Ocmulgee under a full moon and be amazed.

• Our premium guided tour

Far From the Madding Crowd Tour

Winding through a wooded corridor, the Upper Ocmulgee is home to bald eagles, blue herons, and slider turtles. Very little signs remain of the many mills that harnessed the river’s

Boat Shuttle Service

Leave the transportation up to us! We will haul you up the river on our bus for your river floats booked online with Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Community Meeting Announcements

• August 13, 2024: World Heritage Site Discussion in Waycross, GA from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
• NEW DATE October 8 , 2024: Proposed Exhibits for New Visitor Center in Folkston, GA from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Visit our Events page to learn more!

Hunting Information

The 2024-2025 hunt dates for Cowhouse Unit, Pocket Unit, and Suwanee Canal Unit have been announced. Hunt Applications for the mobility-impaired and youth hunt at Suwanee Canal Recreation Area must be received from August 15, 2024 to September 16, 2024. Visit our Hunting page to learn more.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are currently accepting applications for multiple volunteer positions as a Visitor Center Front Desk Assistant, Maintenance Assistant, or Environmental Education Assistant. Visit the Get Involved page on our website to fill out an application or learn more!

Visit Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for the opportunity to enjoy a unique ecosystem with a fascinating cultural history and rich species diversity. Stop in to the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center to learn about all of the recreational opportunities on the refuge. The refuge is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to either 5:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. (seasonally) and the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (call for current hours/days of operation).

Visit our Facebook page or give us a call at 912-496-7836 for up-to-date information on programs and upcoming events.  

Location and Contact Information

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge conserves the unique qualities of the Okefenokee Swamp for future generations to enjoy.  The swamp is considered the headwaters of the Suwannee and St Marys Rivers.  Habitats provide for threatened and endangered species, and a wide variety of other wildlife. It is world renowned for its amphibian populations that are bio-indicators of global health.

Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. Learn more about national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.   

Our Species

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established to provide "refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.” The refuge provides habitat for threatened and endangered species, such as red-cockaded woodpeckers, wood storks and eastern indigo snakes. The most iconic species that resides in the Okefenokee NWR, is the American Alligator. With an estimated population of approximately 15,000 alligators living in the Okefenokee Swamp, visitors are almost guaranteed to have at least a few sightings of these important and beautiful reptiles. Other notable bird species include swallow-tailed kites, sandhill cranes, Bachman's sparrows, prothonotary warblers, red-shouldered hawks and barred owls. Other reptilian residents include: gopher tortoise, timber rattlesnakes, Florida softshell turtles and numerous species of watersnakes. 

Our Library

Visit our digital library to find refuge brochures and other documents.

Get Involved

Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Master new skills. Meet new friends. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow. Check out the refuge's volunteer opportunities on our website , RV volunteer opportunities on Volunteer.gov or call the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center at 912-496-7836 for more information. 

Our Traveling Zoo

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Okefenokee swamp tours: swamp park vs national wildlife refuge.

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When you mention swamp tours, everyone immediately thinks of Everglades NP in southern Florida. However, one doesn’t have to go that far south to spend a day learning about alligators and spotting them. Okefenokee Swamp sits on the border of Georgia and Florida and offers some great opportunities for spotting wildlife.

Okefenokee Swamp

At about 700 square miles, Okefenokee Swamp is the largest blackwater swamp in the United States, and a National Natural Landmark. It’s a peat-filled bog so the color of the water resembles the color of strong tea. Most of the area is protected by the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Okefenokee Wilderness but there is also a privately run Okefenokee Swamp Park on the northern side.

Native American tribes of Deptford, Swift Creek, and Weeden Island Cultures have been living in the area as far back as 2,500 B.C. and there are 74 mounds to prove it. The name itself is of a Native American origin, though points of view on it differ. It’s most commonly said that it comes from the Choctaw word meaning “trembling earth”. However, it may have come from Hatchiti for “water-shaking”.

Which Okefenokee Entrance Do I Need?

There are several entrances to the Swamp – some will say there are 4, some will say 5. Basically speaking, you can access Okefenokee from Folkston, GA, Fargo, GA, and Waycross, GA.

Folkston entrances will take you to the National Wildlife Refuge , Fargo entrances will take you to Stephen C. Foster State Park , and the Waycross entrance will take you to Okefenokee Swamp Park .

We have done 2 Okefenokee swamp tours on 2 separate trips to the famous swamp and have visited both the Wildlife Refuge and the Swamp Park. We will share our experience and let you make the choice of what will work best for you.

Practical Info

NWR is open daily from 1/2 hour before sunrise until 7.30pm March 1–October 31 or 5.30pm during the rest of the year. The visitors’ center is open 9am to 4pm. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Swamp Park is open daily from 9am until 5.30 pm, closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Okefenokee Swamp is a 4.5hr drive from Atlanta, a 2-hour drive from Savannah, an hour’s drive from Jacksonville, and a 3-hour drive from Orlando.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Okefenokee NWR was established in 1936. It is home to 233 species of birds, 49 species of mammals, 64 species of reptiles, and 621 species of plants (about a dozen of them carnivorous).

$5 per vehicle buys a daily pass that’s good for 7 days. This gives you access to the Swamp Island Drive , Chesser Island Homestead , and the Boardwalk . There are hiking trails and you can also bring your own canoe or rent ( $32 per solo kayak per day) on the spot and set off exploring the 120 miles of the canoe trails.

There is a lovely visitor’s center with very friendly and helpful staff and quite a few things for the kids to do. There is also a cafe that serves a variety of sandwiches, salads, and snacks. There were vegetarian options, too! We were happy with ours.

On our trip to the Wildlife Refuge, we did the drive, visited the homestead – the house was locked but the kids discovered a working water pump and had a blast with that, and walked the boardwalk all the way to the Owl Roost Tower in hopes to spot some ‘gators. No such luck! Our oldest was getting rather desperate so upon our return to the main entrance we headed to Okefenokee Adventures who run several different kinds of swamp tours: a 90-minute one, a sunset one, and extended ones geared towards birders and photographers.

We opted for the 90-minute tour ( $20.25 per adult and $12.75 per kid aged 5-11), donned our life vests, and embarked on the adventure. There were 5 or 6 other people on the boat. Much like on our whale-watching tour , everybody was encouraged to keep their eyes peeled and to call out if they thought they spotted something.

It didn’t take long for us to spot a blue heron, a snake bird, egrets, and turtles. The alligators were a lot more elusive. As our guide kept repeating, there are tons of them around and for each one you see there are several you don’t. Eventually, we all figured out what to look out for, and saw at least 5 gators (one of them huge) before the boat tour was over.

The guide was a fount of knowledge about the Okefenokee Swamp, its wildlife, and the plants in the area. The kids had a blast looking for wildlife, keeping track of what they saw, and measuring the depth of the swamp with an oar.

Okefenokee Swamp Park

The Swamp Park is a private non-profit. The admission to the park is $16-17 and includes a ride on Okefenokee Railroad , admittance to “Eye on Nature” educational show, and access to the Boardwalk , Primitive Trail (when accessible), and the exhibit buildings. You can also purchase a boat tour/admission combo ticket for $27 per adult and $22 per child.

The Swamp Park is significantly busier than the NWR. Unlike the NWR, which now encompasses a lot of wide open space, the Swamp Park was not affected during the West Mims wildfire that ravaged the southern portion of the swamp in 2017. Accordingly, this place looks more like you might imagine. It’s shady, very lush and, of course, swampy. Large cypress trees, Spanish moss, etc.

There are boat tours offered which are about the same as the NWR ones but only 45-minute-long, and there are boardwalks and an observation tower as well. There is also a recreated homestead, and the aforementioned train ride. This place is geared a lot more toward entertaining visitors.

The tour guide we had was knowledgable and engaging. As was the case with the NWR guide, this fellow was a Okefenokee-area native. He told us that alligators cannot be tamed, although they can become accustomed to people.

Now, speaking of alligators, this is what we were most excited about seeing. Although we did eventually see a few on our boat tour at the NWR, we saw more at the Swamp Park. In fact, we saw several before we even finished walking across the parking lot to the Park entrance. Inside the park, we lost count of the ones we saw. Thus, we can say the odds of spying an alligator at the Swamp Park are much higher than at the NWR.

One of the most thrilling moments at the Swamp Park was when a big male started roaring. The sound is almost exactly like a Harley-Davidson V-twin motorcycle that just won’t quite start. Loud, deep, and rumbly. Powerful. Then the big fellow (roughly 8 feet long!) chased a smaller one away from his spot in the canal.

There is a wildlife show here. It is interesting and educational, and it was pretty neat to get the chance to put a baby alligator to sleep. All we had to do was rub it gently at the base of the skull and it drifted right off. A neat trick if you can muster it for your own kids. Sadly we’ve never been able to have it work on ours.

While we did find it interesting, it must be said that wildlife shows are increasingly frowned upon. If you don’t feel comfortable supporting this, then the Swamp Park may not be for you.

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We would LOVE this! I like the boardwalk area, a great place to enjoy the scenery and the colors. The baby alligator is so cute!! Adding this to our list when we do a road trip in the area next year. Thanks!

We’re so glad to hear this! Which one sounds better to you? Do let us know if you do get to go 🙂

This is so helpful. Saving this for when I do visit 🙂

Thank you, Merryl, hope you do get to go and enjoy it.

that looks like a fun day out! thanks for the tips! 🙂

This looks like such a fun day! Will definitely be adding this to my list of places to see when I am in the area. Thanks for sharing such an informative account of your trip!

You’re welcome, Maria! It is really a lot of fun and potentially educational, too.

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Amelia Island Kayak Excursions

Where Kayaking Fun Begins!

This tour is considered a day trip, consisting of a 5-hour paddle with a 2-hour round trip travel time from Amelia Island, Florida, or our guests may meet our guide on site.

Includes park admission. Two-person minimum. Lunch may be purchased on-site and/or packed to take along on tour. Shorter tours are available and can be customized.

3 or more Paddlers

Okefenokee photo gallery.

Madison Tipton: Kayak Guide 

“I was also nominated and served at Vice President and President for the NorthEast Florida Master Naturalist Chapter. It was an honor for me to have the opportunity to meet the man who started it all, Dr. Mary Main!”

Aaron Bullington: Kayak Guide – Florida Master Naturalist

“Anyone can float down or camp on a river – but discovering how to live life while enjoying the passion of adventure, taking risks, and experiencing peace is a life well lived.” -the Saltwater Cowboy

Everytime I am out on the water, it feels as if time stands still, and there is always something new to discover. Hope to see you out on the water!

Favorite quotes: “Dream Big and Celebrate Always” & “Life is a Special Occasion”!

Freedom in travel

Three Entrances to the Okefenokee Swamp

As a wrap-up of my recent posts, I want to directly compare the three entrances to the Okefenokee Swamp.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

First of all, let me say that my enjoyment of the Okefenokee Swamp is one of my biggest travel surprises this year. (And this year includes falling in love with Santa Fe and spending the fall watching the aspen trees turn in Colorado !) I never thought I’d be so entranced with it as I am, or enjoy my time in a swamp so much.

Maybe my expectations were low since I didn’t enjoy my first impromptu visit . It’s possible my visits came at the end of a year full of travel and I’m so tired that the tranquility of the Okefenokee Swamp soothed my soul. Nevertheless, actually getting out into the swamp feels magical. The reflections on the water make it seem like you are floating in the sky! I fell head over heels for the whole experience.

There are three main entrances to visit the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, each with its own boat tour into the swamp. And the boat tours are the thing here. You have to actually get out into the swamp and experience it, not just do the activities on the sidelines.

Note that you need a fair amount of flexibility when visiting the Okefenokee Swamp in general. You certainly can’t do all three entrances in one day. I had a hard time fitting two in one day on my visit, and couldn’t do the third (the state park) until later. And even then, I had a hard time getting a tour time that fit with my schedule. (I ultimately changed my schedule.) Plus, the entrances are about an hour or more from each other – the Okefenokee Swamp is HUGE.

The Okefenokee Swamp invites you to slow down, and I encourage you to lean into this while you’re here. If you want to fully explore what each of the three entrances to Okefenokee Swamp has to offer, I’d reserve one day for each spot.

Ultimately, I recommend visiting all three entrances because the swamp is so different in each place. That way, you get a better picture of the swamp as a whole. (The best way to see the whole swamp is to get a permit to camp and kayak across the entire thing – but I hear those are hard to come by.)

Suwanee Canal Recreation Area/Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Main Entrance

If you only have time to visit one entrance to the Okefenokee Swamp, make it the main Suwanee Canal Recreation Area entrance near Folkston, GA. It’s the official federal entrance for the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge and has the most robust facilities & activities.

The boat tour from the Suwanee Canal entrance features a historic man-made canal and a swamp prairie, and there is a stand of old cypress trees that is absolutely stunning. The swamp here in general is more open for easier viewing of birds and alligators.

Boat tours from this entrance cost $28 and under for a 90-minute guided tour. The boats are shaded, comfortable, and seat a fair amount of people. You must also pay a $5/car fee to enter the refuge, good for seven days.

Other Activities

For just the cost of the $5 refuge fee, you can bike or drive Swamp Island Drive out to the authentic Chesser Island Homestead to see how pioneers lived in the swamp. Next door is a boardwalk out to a 40-foot observation tower. Or you can walk on several short trails in the park, for a little under 5 miles total.

If you want a deeper experience of the Okefenokee Swamp, you can outfit your own trip, or even hire a guided excursion from the Folkston entrance at various price points. Canoes & solo kayaks rent for $45/day.

There are picnic shelters, large bathrooms, a visitor center, a gift shop, and a small cafe here as well.

Nearest Town & Attractions

The biggest drawback to the Suwanee Canal entrance is that there’s not a whole lot to the nearby town of Folkston. There are a few places to eat, but only two small motels to stay in. (Though I did find one very cute bed & breakfast and a caboose that sleeps 4 .) You can instead stay in Kingsland 30 minutes east or Waycross 45 minutes north.

Likewise, there’s not much other activity in Folkston. The biggest attraction seems to be the “ Folkston Funnel “, a railway viewing platform for trainspotting.

Okefenokee Swamp Park

The privately-owned non-profit Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross, GA is the oldest entrance and more tourist-trappy than the others, though they’ve put in a lot of effort lately to make it look nicer. And the swamp here is not to be missed! Since this is the most northern entrance, the water level is lower and the paths through the swamp are narrower. It feels like you’re discovering a secret world.

The boats here are smaller jon boats with several benches. They’re stable enough to walk around in, but you probably won’t be standing much during your tour. Based on my first visit, they tend to send out fairly full boats every hour. You don’t see as many birds, but you usually see some alligators and lots of plant life. And this was the only tour where my guide Clint pointed out alligator nests.

The boat tours here cost $30 and under for a 45-minute guided tour, plus the other park attractions like a train and a nature show. That includes the $5 National Refuge fee as well, though I don’t think you can take it with you to use at the other entrances.

Okefenokee Swamp Park definitely has more activities than the other entrances, and to enjoy them without the boat tour costs $20 and under. The biggest attraction besides the boat tour is a narrated mile-long train ride with a stop at a recreated pioneer village. This train becomes the holiday express during the month of December.

There are three small buildings with nature and history exhibits in the park. An “Eye on Nature” show presents live animals throughout the day in the Nature Center. A snack shack is central to the whole park, and a boardwalk with large “ambassador” alligators and turtles is off to one side. Out into the swamp is a long boardwalk leading to a 70-foot observation tower, the tallest in the entire refuge. (Sadly, it’s currently closed.)

One area I didn’t look at too closely at is an azalea garden adjacent to the parking lot, which you might want to check out in the spring. And there is a picnic and event area before the main entrance parking.

Okefenokee Swamp Park might be the most popular entrance to the Okefenokee Swamp, due to its nearness to Waycross, a decently-sized city. Waycross has several hotels, dining, and shopping options and makes a good base for exploring the entire Okefenokee area.

Besides the Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross has the Okefenokee Heritage Center and a place called Southern Forest World about forestry in South Georgia. In all, Waycross is THE gateway city to the Okefenokee Swamp.

Stephen C Foster State Park

The third entrance to the park is the most remote, at Stephen C Foster State Park near Fargo, GA. The biggest pro is that you can actually camp here overnight, it’s a dark sky park, and there seems to be even more wildlife here than anywhere.

The boat tours at the Fargo entrance are the cheapest, at $15 for a 90-minute guided tour. The swamp here at the western side of the park is much more open, and the tour sticks to a deeper lake and one smaller canal. It’s just as interesting, but still totally different than at the other two entrances. The $5/car National Wildlife Refuge fee is in effect here as well, though you might have to track down someone to pay it.

The boats are bigger and shaded, but with much less seating than at the Folkston entrance. And with only 2-3 tours per day, it’s a much smaller operation.

Besides 63 campsites, there is a group pioneer campground, nine cottages, and a nearby lodge for rent. There are about three miles of hiking trails, about four miles of biking if you include all the paved roads, and you can drive or bike 5.5 miles to the nearby Suwanee River Sill. The park office has a gift shop and trading post for some food supplies. And there are three rentable picnic shelters and a playground.

You can rent kayaks and canoes here for relatively cheap – between $15-$30 for up to eight hours. Paddle a kayak two miles to Billy’s Island and then hike a one-mile loop to see Native American, pioneer, and logging history on the island.

Nearest Town & Activites

There really isn’t much to Fargo at all – only one hotel with just eight rooms and a few restaurants. There are a couple of golf courses nearby, including one across from the park-operated Eco Lodge. You’re better off staying in the park itself or in Waycross an hour north.

Minor Entrances to Okefenokee Swamp

There are two more minor entrances to the swamp. I cover the Suwanee River Sill in my post about the Stephen C Foster State Park . And there’s one more entrance called Kingfisher Landing that’s pretty much just a boat ramp and some restrooms. It’s located on the east side between the Waycross and the Folkston entrances.

Final Thoughts

Getting out into the Okefenokee Swamp is what you want to do at each of these locations. To that end, make sure you always book your boat tours ahead of time and plan the rest of your day around them. The parks themselves are nice, but nothing compares to getting out on the water. I did tours at all three entrances, enjoyed each one, and would do all of them again in a heartbeat! Links for booking tours can be found on my blog posts for each park.

And one thing I haven’t mentioned in all of these posts is that for most of the year, the Okefenokee Swamp is going to be very hot and buggy! My visits have all been in the fall & winter so I haven’t had that experience – which makes this area a fantastic place to visit during the colder months. But be prepared for hot & humid weather the rest of the year. And take your strongest bug spray! Mosquitos, flies, and other bugs live in the swamp all summer and biting yellow flies are most prevalent in May & June. Wear long sleeves, hats, pants, and douse yourself with spray if you go during these months. Those biting flies can really ruin your day.

The Okefenokee Swamp has a lot more to offer than might be assumed at first glance. If you’re feeling harried and enjoy the outdoors, I would absolutely recommend some time in south Georgia checking out all three entrances to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

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Categories Georgia

Tags Georgia Hiking National Parks Okefenokee Swamp

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. – Jawaharlal Nehru

12 Comments

Beautiful pictures very informative. Thanks

Thank you so much!

Totally the best article on Okefenokee Swamp I’ve ever read!

Great article.The swamp is truly a must see.

I’m planning atria for 2023 so your post was very timely and useful for future planning. Thank you.

This is exactly the information I have been looking for. Thank you

I wish I could you back to the early 1960s where you hired a boat and guide. Last time I visited, the guided tour was very small and didn’t include anything I remember as a kid. As a kid, you could take a 4 hour to about 8 hours guided tour. You told the guide what you most wanted to see and they personalized your tour. I was so young and didn’t understand or appreciate what all we saw. However, the memories created are some alltime favorites of my life.

That’s amazing! That would have been pretty cool to see it that way.

Thank you for writing this. We’re going back, this time with extended family, and I had NO idea which one to choose! We LOVED the prairie and canal at Folkston but the younger kids may really dig the train ride at Waycross.

I’m so glad it was helpful!

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For people near the Okefenokee Swamp, making a living inextricably linked to tourism

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Okefenokee Swamp is one of the world’s largest blackwater wetlands.

Each experience is truly unique, based on the weather, time of year and water levels.

The Okefenokee Protection Alliance estimates there are more than 700,000 visits a year to the Okefenokee Swamp.

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is considered a biodiversity hotspot. Most visitors hope to see one of the 13,000 alligators. The refuge is also home to bald eagles, bobcats, black bears and several endangered species.

More than 850 plant species are found in the Okefenokee. Some are hard to find anywhere else in Georgia or all of North America.

Centuries-old cypress trees line the canal, covered in Spanish moss.

Guide Matt Rouse at Okefenokee Swamp Park and Adventures points out wildlife as he sees it.

He said after more than 30 years as a guide, the craziest thing he’s ever seen on a tour was a black bear swimming in the canal in front of the boat.

“You don’t see that often,” said Rouse.

He did a lot of research to become a guide. For example, he said Okefenokee means “trembling earth.”

The floating islands in the swamp are prairies made of floating material called peat that will get covered with grasses and plant life. You can stand on the peat in some places.

RELATED: Community around Okefenokee Swamp pushes for protection from further mining efforts

The Okefenokee supports more than 750 jobs and generates an estimated $64.7 million in economic activity in the four counties surrounding the refuge.

Charlene Carter, the owner of Okefenokee Pastimes, was moved to tears at the thought of anything happening to the swamp. She said she’s 100% opposed to mining anywhere near it.

“I get emotional about it. It would ruin it. I don’t want that to happen,” said Carter.

Her family has lived here for three generations. She said beyond the emotional connections, she worries she’ll be out of a job if the swamp suffers.

State and local leaders have voiced concerns over the future of the swamp.

State leaders supported a moratorium on mining last year, but a bill failed to make it for a vote in the Georgia Senate.

There is a chance that an international designation could double the number of visitors to the area.

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is being considered for a UNESCO World Heritage site designation.

People living near the swamp are split on how they feel. Proponents feel this will make the story of the Okefenokee Swamp more visible on an international level. Opponents feel more tourists could harm the area.

The question looms: What’s next for the Okefenokee Swamp?

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The next few years could mean big changes in south Georgia.

The Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge could become a United Nations Educational Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site.

Kim Bednarek, executive director for the Okefenokee Swamp Park and Adventures Park, said she expects to submit the bid in January 2025. She’s hopeful that Okefenokee will be the first site entirely managed by the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The idea of a UNESCO designation divides people in town.

Charlton County Commissioner Drew Jones is one of the people leading the opposition. They have formed a group called Americans For The Okefenokee.

“It’s almost like trading notoriety for sovereignty. The deed wouldn’t be in the United Nations name, but they would have some influence,” said Jones.

Bednarek and others say the designation would not alter the ownership or management of the lands.

MORE ON THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP

Community around okefenokee swamp pushes for protection from further mining efforts, for people near the okefenokee swamp, making a living inextricably linked to tourism, hydrologist finds mining operation could increase drought and wildfire chances in okefenokee national wildlife refuge, water, property rights, environmental concerns play part in okefenokee swamp mining controversy.

She expects visitation numbers to double at the Okefenokee Park and the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

“We expect once this happens, it’s going to create the visibility that we know that the Okefenokee Swamp needs and it will benefit not only economic development but also preservation and conservation for the Okefenokee. Once people really see it, how special it is and how incredibly important it is for all economic prosperity,” said Bednarek.

According to the World Heritage website, the designation come with the capacity to “protect and enhance wildlife and its habitat, ensure the integrity of the ecological system, and embrace the grandeur, mystery, and cultural heritage that lead to an enrichment of the human spirit.” This would be the guiding vision of both OSP, Inc. and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as managesr of the Okefenokee Swamp for the NWR.

Rev. Antwon Nixon at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church has turned into a swamp ambassador, trying to protect the land he grew up visiting.

“I think so much of what I am as an adult, I learned as a kid. A kid living out my purpose,” said Nixon.

Nixon said the swamp is at a crossroads. A permitting decision over a proposed titanium dioxide mine near the water’s edge could come any day now.

“The results are not in our hands,” said Nixon.

Alabama-based mining company Twin Pines Minerals LLC’s website states “the proposed mining activities will have negligible impact on the hydrologic system of Trail Ridge and the Okefenokee Swamp.”

Nixon, environmentalists and researchers argue the contrary. Democrat State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver argued that inaction from some lawmakers has allowed the issue to fester.

“Chairman Darlene Taylor, from south Georgia, introduced a bill that had over 91 bipartisan signatures. Republicans and Democrats. A majority of the House said we want to protect the Okefenokee Swamp. For reasons that I cannot rationally understand, the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee would not give that bill a hearing. We have to protect the Okefenokee Swamp. It’s a vital resource for our state and we have to be a national leader for this important asset that we have,” said Oliver.

Gov. Brian Kemp could interject, but he’s been silent on the issue.

State lawmakers have suggested a mining moratorium or an all-out ban.

House Speaker Jon Burns said addressing concerns over the swamp is a top priority for the next legislative session that begins in January.

Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.

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Tomsk Oblast, Russia

The capital city of Tomsk oblast: Tomsk .

Tomsk Oblast - Overview

Tomsk Oblast is a federal subject of Russia located in the southeast of the West Siberian Plain, part of the Siberian Federal District. Tomsk is the capital city of the region.

The population of Tomsk Oblast is about 1,068,300 (2022), the area - 314,391 sq. km.

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Tomsk oblast coat of arms.

Tomsk oblast map, Russia

Tomsk oblast latest news and posts from our blog:.

10 November, 2019 / Tomsk - the view from above .

History of Tomsk Oblast

The development of this region began in the late 16th - early 17th centuries. The oldest settlement in the Tomsk region is the village of Narym, founded in 1596.

The town of Tomsk was founded as a military fortress by the decree of Tsar Boris Godunov in 1604. It was one of the outposts of the development of Siberia.

From 1708 to 1782, Tomsk was part of the Siberian province. In 1804, the town became the center of a separate Tomsk province, which included the current territories of the Altai krai, Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, East Kazakhstan, Tomsk regions and part of Krasnoyarsk krai.

In the 19th century, the growth of gold mining, smelting of metals, fur trade concentrated large capital in Tomsk, triggering a revival of trade. Important transport routes - the Moscow and Irkutsk tracts - passed through Tomsk.

In 1888, the first university beyond the Urals was opened in Tomsk, in 1900 - the Technological Institute, in 1901 - the first commercial school in Siberia, in 1902 - the Teachers’ Institute. By 1914, Tomsk was one of the 20 largest cities in the Russian Empire.

In 1925, the Tomsk Governorate was abolished and became part of the Siberian region. In the 1930s, Tomsk lost its administrative significance. In August 1944, the city became again a regional center.

During the Second World War, dozens of factories, educational, scientific, and cultural institutions were evacuated to Tomsk oblast and became the basis for the further development of the region in the postwar years.

In the 1950s, the first in the USSR nuclear center of the world level was created in Tomsk Oblast - the Siberian Chemical Combine. In the 1960s-1970s, oil production began on the territory of the region, a giant petrochemical plant was built - the Tomsk Petrochemical Combine.

Nature of Tomsk Oblast

Small lake in Tomsk Oblast

Author: Andrey Gaiduk

Beautiful nature of the Tomsk region

Author: Sergey Timofeev

Tomsk Oblast scenery

Author: Egor Dyukarev

Tomsk Oblast - Features

The length of the Tomsk region from north to south is about 600 km, from west to east - 780 km. Most of the territory is difficult to access because of taiga forests occupying about 60% of the region and marshes (28.9%). The Vasyugan swamp is one of the largest marshes in the world.

The climatic conditions of the southern and northern districts of the Tomsk region are markedly different. Almost the entire territory of the region is located within the taiga zone. The climate is temperate continental. The average temperature in July is plus 24 degrees Celsius, in January - minus 16 degrees Celsius. The climate in the northern part of the region is more severe, winters are longer.

The largest cities and towns of Tomsk Oblast are Tomsk (570,800), Seversk (105,200), Strezhevoy (38,900), Asino (24,400), Kolpashevo (22,200). Lake Mirnoye located in Parabelsky district is the largest lake. The main river, the Ob, crosses the region diagonally from the southeast to the northwest, dividing it into two almost equal parts.

The main industries are oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, engineering, nuclear, electric power, timber industry, and food industry. All the machine-building and metal-working plants are located mainly in Tomsk and partly in Kolpashevo and Seversk. Oil is extracted mainly in the north-west and west of the region.

The main branches of agriculture are meat and dairy cattle breeding. Agricultural fields occupy about 5% of the territory. Wheat, flax and vegetables are grown in small amounts. Cattle-, pig-, sheep-, and goat-breeding are presented as well as poultry farming. Fur trade (squirrels, sables, musk-rats) and fur farming (silver-black fox) are also developed.

Tomsk Oblast - Natural Resources

Tomsk Oblast is rich in such natural resources as oil, natural gas, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, brown coal (the first place in Russia), peat (the second place in Russia), and groundwater. In the region there is the Bakcharskoe iron ore deposit, which is one of the largest in the world (about 57% of all iron ore in Russia).

Forests are one of the most significant assets of the region: about 20% (more than 26.7 million hectares) of forest resources in Western Siberia are located in Tomsk oblast. The timber reserves amount to 2.8 billion cubic meters.

In the Tomsk region there are 18.1 thousand rivers, streams and other watercourses with a total length of about 95 thousand km, including 1,620 rivers with a length of more than 10 km.

The main waterway is the Ob River. The Ob length in the region is 1,065 km. The main tributaries of the Ob flowing into it on the territory of the Tomsk region are the Tom, Chulym, Chaya, Ket, Parabel, Vasyugan, Tym.

Attractions of Tomsk Oblast

The sights of Tomsk Oblast include the harsh beauty of Siberian nature, the variety of winding rivers and canals, as well as monuments of wooden architecture, and other places that keep ancient legends about this land.

Undoubtedly, it is worth to visit Lake Kirek, one of the most beautiful reservoirs of the Tomsk region. It is located only 50 km from Tomsk. According to legend, a local millionaire drowned his diamonds here during the revolution in 1917.

About 40 km from Tomsk, there is a lake complex of the village of Samus consisting of seven lakes. These lakes are known for their very dark water, which is explained by the streams flowing into them from peat bogs.

Near the village of Kolarovo, located 33 km south of Tomsk, there is Siniy (Blue) cliff. It is a three-kilometer precipice descending to the Tom River. The cliff got its name due to the gray-blue shale that covers it. Several centuries ago, after the founding of Tomsk, a watchtower was installed on the cliff, from which signals were sent to the fortress.

At the source of the Berezovaya River, 40 km southeast of Tomsk, there is such an attraction as the Talovsky bowls, a natural monument of national importance. These are huge natural figures in the form of vessels of oval form, covered from the inside by birnessite - a rare mineral.

There is a tourist attraction of a global scale in the Tomsk region - the Vasyugan marshes, the largest marsh complex in the world. It is also called the “Russian Amazon”, because the Vasyugan marshes are not inferior to the famous South American river by their scale.

To the collection of sights of Alexandrovsky district of the Tomsk region, the most distant from the regional center, we can add Lake Baikal, the namesake of the famous lake, Goluboye (Blue) Lake, Malyye mountains (highlands) in the valley of the Vakh River and the Paninsky reserve, where the ancient burials of the Khanty and Ostyaks are preserved.

On the right bank of the Ob River, more than 200 km from Tomsk, the village of Mogochino is located. St. Nicholas Convent can be found here.

In Tomsk itself, plenty of monuments of wooden architecture deserve attention. In total, there are more than 700 objects, including 109 monuments of federal and regional significance.

Also in the Tomsk region you can visit more than 100 museums (most of them are located in Tomsk). The most popular museums are the Museum of History of Tomsk, the Memorial Museum “The NKVD Investigative Prison”, the Museum of Wooden Architecture, the Tomsk Regional Art Museum.

Tomsk oblast of Russia photos

Pictures of the tomsk region.

Abandoned village in Tomsk Oblast

Author: Sergei Loyko

Orthodox chapel in the Tomsk region

Winter in Tomsk Oblast

Author: Koshkin V.

Field road in Tomsk Oblast

Author: Dolgin Andrey

Country life in Tomsk Oblast

Author: D.Lebedev

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Naturalist Kayak Tours

Paddle the okefenokee swamp park waterways with an interpretive naturalist..

Explore the black water trails to Mud Lake. Learn about the history of the Okefenokee Swamp Park, its waterways, and the native species that call it home. Kayak, paddle, and life vest are included.

WHEN: Saturdays & Sundays, March – September 2023

WHERE: Okefenokee Swamp Park , 5700 Okefenokee Swamp Park Rd. Waycross, Georgia 31503

REGISTER: CLICK HERE

For more information contact: Levi Welling [email protected] (912) 283-0583

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The OSPrey Society are very important friends of the OSP who generously invest in the organization to support the strategic plan, provide critical resources for needed projects and underwrite educational programs. All donations to the OSP help us to inspire our guests and community to conserve and protect our beloved Okefenokee.

Okefenokee Swamp Park

• 5700 Okefenokee Swamp Park Rd Waycross, Georgia 31503 Directions

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Thursday – Monday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

*Tour availability can vary with large groups arriving at the park. Please check availability before arriving.

Okefenokee Swamp Park will remain open for all advertised evening events.

• (912) 283-0583
• [email protected]

Group Reservations: (912) 283-0583 or email [email protected]

Okefenokee Adventures

• 4159 Suwannee Canal Rd Folkston, GA 31537 Directions

Hours of Operation:

7:30am – 6:30pm (Mar – Oct)

7:30am – 4:30pm (Nov – Feb) Click here for closures/more info

( 912 ) 496-7156

• levi.welling @okeswamp.org
• Group Reservations: (912) 496-7156

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