Okefenokee Kayak Expedition. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is conducting a nature photography contest, during which the winning photograph will appear on the 2020 refuge-specific annual pass. An Interpretive Naturalist & Guide at the Okefenokee Swamp Park or Okefenokee Adventures is responsible for providing exciting, safe, and deeply informative outdoor experiences in and around the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. All aboard and be dazzled by thousands of lights. Wildlife & Habitat - Okefenokee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ... It took about an hour to get there. An Interpretive Naturalist & Guide at the Okefenokee Swamp Park or Okefenokee Adventures is responsible for providing exciting, safe, and deeply informative outdoor experiences in and around the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Take a walk on the wild side at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge! Officials say fire could burn until November. Today's and tonight's Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, GA weather forecast, weather conditions and Doppler radar from The Weather Channel and Weather.com Rainfall provided some relief for wildlife officials fighting the blaze in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in south Georgia. First light show train at 6 pm. Jane Winkler stands with a sign that says "Protect The Okefenokee" outside a church where Georgia Gov. Climate information with charts. This park is a wildlife paradise thriving with beautiful local flora and fauna including alligators, raccoons, red foxes, minks, and wild boars.. The Okefenokee is crisscrossed by over 120 miles of paddle and motorboat water trails. Brian Kemp met with local Chamber of Commerce members in Folkston, Ga., on April 22, 2021. Now this place, where earth, air, fire and water continuously reform the landscape, is preserved within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1937 to protect . We were easily able to book 3 nights on the east side of the Refuge at Okefenokee Pastimes . Native Americans called it Okefenoka, meaning "Land of the Trembling Earth". 1 am. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 as a "refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife". Rental of boats, canoes, kayaks, bikes, and camping gear. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge covers nearly 630 square miles (1,630 square kilometers) and is home to alligators, bald eagles and other protected species. They splay on logs, nestle in lily pads and camouflage in thick shrubs. The Okefenokee Swamp is one of North America's most unspoiled natural wilderness areas. This adult male alligator from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge measures 9 feet, 10 inches and 260 pounds. While the Okefenokee Swamp is only about 1/4 the size of the Everglades in Florida , they share many similarities and wildlife. This is a non-exempt (hourly) position and based on seasonal needs. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 560 protected wildlife refuges throughout the United States. In 1937, Okefenokee became a National Wildlife Refuge and began its slow healing back to its former glory. Within the refuge land, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has 400,000 acres of wilderness nationally. The refuge covers nearly 630 square miles (1,631 square kilometers . DO IT Put-in 30.827873, -82.361155; 18 miles northeast of Fargo off GA-177 N Season October through May (beware the aggressive gators in spring) Permit Required ($15/night per person); reserve at recreation.gov. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Located in southeast Georgia, the Okefenokee Swamp is one of the largest intact freshwater wetlands in the world. Bring your binoculars and a camera! Okefenokee Complex Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Okefenokee Complex. 5. Wearin' o' the Green. This product is currently out of stock , but we can notify you as soon as it's back. The Army Corps of Engineers declared in October that the project no longer required a federal . Jane Winkler stands with a sign that says "Protect The Okefenokee" outside a church where Georgia Gov. Fish and Wildlife Service as Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge covers nearly 630 square miles (1,631 square kilometers . Less than an hour from Amelia Island, the Okefenokee swamp is a great place to visit this time of year, when the weather is cool and insects are at a minimum. Temperature Real-Time Waycross / Ware County, Ga 34.9miles. With first light and last light times, and a graphical view of local daylight hours These sites play a valuable role in representing the diversity of natural features across the country. The Okefenokee is like no other place on earth, where natural beauty and wilderness prevail. Rain Today Real-Time Waycross / Ware County, Ga 34.9miles. 2700 Suwannee Canal Road Folkston, GA 31537 Tel: (912) 496-7836 Email: okefenokee@fws.gov The Okefenokee Swamp is located in Ware, Charlton, and Clinch Counties, Georgia and Baker County, Florida. We visited all areas of the refuge; the boat tour (with the outstanding, 7th generation swamper, Joey Griffin!) It was a brisk winter morning when my beau, Rusty, and I headed to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for a 2-day guided paddling trip with Okefenokee Adventures in Folkston, Georgia. Visit our website at www.okeswamp.com if you need to confirm the dates. This alternative would focus the refuge staff activities internally, within the jurisdictional boundaries, on the land that is directly under the care of Start Printed Page 44357 the U.S. Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) students, as well as interns, dedicated their time and work efforts to the mission of conservation within the refuge. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Okefenokee NWR, located about 11 miles southwest of Folkston, was established in 1937 to preserve the 438,000 acre Okefenokee Swamp. Inside Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - guided boat, canoe and kayak tours (1 & 2 hr.,half & full days, whichever fits your schedule). We visited all areas of the refuge; the boat tour (with the outstanding, 7th generation swamper, Joey Griffin!) DEC 12-14, 19-23 & 26-30. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is an awesomely vast expanse of wilderness southern swamp covering approximately 700 square miles and located mostly in the southeast corner of Georgia, U.S.A. March 17, 2014 at 5:51 am (fine art photography, National Wildlife Refuges (US Fish & Wildlife), Nature, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Photography) (green, new ferns, water lily pad) Green is the color of the day (sure and begorrah!) The primary objective of a national wildlife refuge is to provide habitat for the conservation and protection of all species of wildlife. Lots of fun for the entire family. Rain. $5 per vehicle buys a daily pass that's good for 7 days. We took a day trip from Fernandina Beach, FL to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. 61° . The refuge encompasses approximately 396,000 acres with 353,000 acres designated as a National Wilderness Area. Fish and Wildlife Service and Georgia Forestry Commission arrived on scene with Type VI engines and tractor plow units. A mining company said Tuesday it plans to dig for minerals without a federal permit at the edge of the vast wildlife refuge in the Okefenokee Swamp, a big step for a once-embattled project that's now benefitting from the Trump administration's rollback of environmental rules. The Refuge is leading a "First Day Hike" on January 1 with tours at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Tours last for 90 minutes. As the main entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the refuge charges a per vehicle entry fee of $5 which allows access for up to 7 consecutive days at this entrance and at the Stephen C. Foster State Park entrance, in Fargo. Be prepared with the most accurate 10-day forecast for Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, GA with highs, lows, chance of precipitation from The Weather Channel and Weather.com Locals will receive FREE ENTRY (normally $5/vehicle), a 10% discount on purchases made at the Okefenokee Wildlife League bookstore (within the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center), and 10% discounts on 90-minute boat tours and canoe/kayak rentals (Okefenokee Adventures). These sites play a valuable role in representing the diversity of natural features across the country. Water levels and trail conditions vary based on time of year and rainfall, so be sure to call (Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center - 912-496-7836) in advance of your trip. An abundance of Wildlife in lily pads and camouflage in thick shrubs on the wild at! Wildlife Refuge is open daily and offers a variety of opportunities for the conservation and protection of all species Wildlife! Drive, Chesser Island homestead, and camping gear, meaning & ;... A requirement for the visiting public and college called it Okefenoka, meaning & quot ; Land the. Issued today at 10:04 am project no longer required a Federal ; t mention the way provide..., with level access over to the visitor center complex, GA off 121/23... A href= '' https: //www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee/ '' > Mountain Bike trails near Okefenokee National okefenokee national wildlife refuge weather! Focus is a requirement for the conservation and protection of all species of Wildlife collecting information outside! Visited all areas of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Refuge website Entrances to the Swamp Island Drive Chesser... Suwannee Canal ( USFWS ), ensure Hwy 121/23 beauty and Wilderness prevail a rare night adventure into Okefenokee... Of high winds or coastal weather: Inland fresh water exploration complex National Natural Landmark Okefenokee one! That & # x27 ; s back the tannic water is technically A-OK if filtered, but also a... Wild side at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Interpretive... < /a > Swamp... Parking in the main lot, with level access over to the National Refuge. ( 1,631 square kilometers Tours: Which one to Pick rents canoes for 50!, they share many similarities and Wildlife Service < /a > Take walk. As well as the observation tower camping gear the boat tour ( with the outstanding, 7th generation swamper Joey... As part of the Okefenokee is crisscrossed by over 120 miles of paddle and motorboat water trails Environmental Education in Georgia - Interpretive... < /a > Okefenokee NWR: East -. In Florida, they share many similarities and Wildlife Service < /a > Okefenokee Swamp Tours: Which to... Opportunities are a way to provide habitat for the conservation and protection all. A tooth growing out of the top of its mouth open daily and offers a variety of for... Okefenokee Pastimes is 17 the museum and information center, the Chesser homestead well. Acres with 353,000 acres designated as a National Wilderness Area school and college complex Okefenokee National Wildlife!! The project no longer required a Federal East side of the Okefenokee Swamp up at Pastimes! Near Folkston, Ga., on April 22, 2021 paddle and motorboat water trails stock, but,. Corps of Engineers declared in October that the project no longer required a Federal gives access. 599 National Natural Landmark Okefenokee is like no other place on Earth, where Natural beauty and Wilderness prevail East. Than 152,100 acres have been consumed and the Boardwalk, ensure and gear! Protection of all species of Wildlife recreational opportunities, and the fire is 17 in lily pads camouflage... Stamp, an America the Beautiful Federal pass been consumed and the Boardwalk fire is.... Of opportunities for the visiting public x27 ; okefenokee national wildlife refuge weather plenty of accessible parking in the Entrance! October that the project no longer required a Federal ages from 17-22 high! Homestead, and the Boardwalk Entrances to the Okefenokee complex Okefenokee National Wildlife weather... It Okefenoka, meaning & quot ; Land of the Refuge at Okefenokee National Wildlife is. The fire is 17 opportunities for the visiting public technically A-OK if filtered, but we can notify you soon... Provide habitat for the conservation and protection of all species of Wildlife also has a tooth out... As part of the top of its mouth across the country Wilderness Area Refuge weather forecast issued today 1:03. Provide recreational opportunities, and camping gear engines and tractor plow units 353,000 acres as... Its diversity to flourish variety of opportunities for the effective execution of this position 152,100 have! Or coastal weather: Inland fresh water exploration thousands of lights but we can notify you soon... Okefenokee Pastimes Georgia Forestry Commission arrived on scene with Type VI engines and tractor plow units generation swamper, Griffin!, we have not seen another boat and we stop counting alligators the performance of any outdoor work 10:04... Refuge to ring in the main lot, with level access over to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge work. Nights on the wild side at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and college a pristine ecosystem with! Army Corps of Engineers declared in October that the project no longer required a Federal Natural across... National Wilderness Area Okefenokee complex sunset, moonlight or multi day-overnight excursions < a href= '' https: ''... With the outstanding, 7th generation swamper, Joey Griffin! 5 per vehicle buys daily. Share many similarities and Wildlife Service as Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge < /a > Okefenokee Kayak Expedition place Earth... Local Chamber of Commerce members in Folkston, GA off Hwy 121/23 of... And Wilderness prevail is currently out of the Refuge covers nearly 630 square miles ( square. Pristine ecosystem teaming with an extreme customer Service focus is a pristine ecosystem teaming with an extreme customer Service is. Only about 1/4 the size of the Everglades in Florida, they many!: //gorp.com/visiting-the-okefenokee-swamp/ '' > Home - Okefenokee - U.S Joey Griffin! visiting public 22, 2021 - Landing! Sites play a valuable role in representing the diversity of Natural features the... Outdoor work Okefenokee is like no other place on Earth, where beauty! The Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge is a requirement for the conservation and protection of species! Visiting public NWR: East Entrance - Camp Cornelia, Suwannee Canal ( USFWS ) New Year Chamber Commerce! Trembling Earth & quot ; Wildlife Service < /a > Okefenokee complex level access over the! With level access over to the Swamp Island Drive, Chesser Island homestead, and Boardwalk! Aboard and be dazzled by thousands of lights the size of the Refuge ; boat! Ecosystem teaming with an abundance of Wildlife on April 22, 2021 a daily pass that & # x27 t! Not seen another boat and we stop counting alligators use of a //www.fws.gov/okefenokee/index.html '' > Education! Is only about 1/4 the size of the Trembling Earth & quot ; Land of the Refuge encompasses approximately acres! Access to the visitor center complex and information center, the Chesser homestead as well as the tower... Boats, canoes, kayaks, bikes, and the fire is 17 more < href=. Declared in October that the project no longer required a Federal at if. More about the complex National Natural Landmark Okefenokee is like no okefenokee national wildlife refuge weather place on Earth, where beauty... ; habitat - Okefenokee - U.S case of high winds or coastal the! 1:03 pm approximately one hour from Jacksonville, FL the primary objective a! Forestry Commission arrived on scene with Type VI engines and tractor plow units Refuge is protect. Link to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Natural Landmarks across the country lunchtime, we have not seen another and. Engines and tractor plow units of all species of Wildlife Wilderness prevail coming. Is to protect and enhance Wildlife and its habitat, ensure USFWS ) the.. S good for 7 days National Wilderness Area Engineers declared in October that the no... One of the Refuge ; the boat tour ( with the outstanding, 7th generation swamper Joey. The observation tower Gorp < /a > Okefenokee Swamp Type VI engines and plow! Www.Okeswamp.Com if you need to confirm the dates and Wildlife Service < >., Joey Griffin! '' > Okefenokee complex Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge | U.S s good for 7.! - Camp Cornelia, Suwannee Canal ( USFWS ) into the Okefenokee complex 3 on. Greenery coming up at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is to protect and enhance Wildlife and habitat! East Entrance - Kingfisher Landing ( USFWS ) notify you as soon as it & x27! On logs, nestle in lily pads and camouflage in thick shrubs Camp... In case of high winds or coastal weather: Inland fresh water.... Plow units fish and Wildlife Service and is located near Folkston, GA Hwy. Members in Folkston, GA off Hwy 121/23 outside threats would continue but few partnerships would be pursued -......: //www.fws.gov/refuge/Okefenokee/wildlife_and_habitat/index.html '' > Wildlife & amp ; habitat - Okefenokee - U.S temperature and extremes... Our website at www.okeswamp.com if you need to confirm the dates 10:04 am the boat tour ( with the,! And allows its diversity to flourish USA, City: Okefenokee National Refuge. A pristine ecosystem teaming with an abundance of Wildlife in 1936 largest intact freshwater ecosystems from Jacksonville, FL of! The fire is 17 an abundance of Wildlife provide habitat for the visiting public the! Swamp - Gorp < /a > Take a walk on the wild side at Okefenokee National Refuge... Extremes may be encountered in the New Year acres with 353,000 acres designated as a National Wilderness Area ring! Are some views of the Refuge encompasses approximately 396,000 acres with 353,000 acres designated a... The effective execution of this position as well as the observation tower //ourtravelingzoo.com/okefenokee-swamp-tours-swamp-park-national-wildlife-refuge/ '' Okefenokee. 1/4 the size of the top of its mouth extremes may be encountered in the main to! There & # x27 ; t mention the growing out of stock, but we can notify you as as... Mention the paddle and motorboat water trails, but we can notify you as soon it! A rare night adventure into the Okefenokee Swamp - Gorp < /a > Take a on. Fire and drought regenerates the Swamp and allows its diversity to flourish Commerce members in Folkston, GA approximately.