Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
What We Do
Facility Services
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5390066
Campfire Restrictions
A campfire restriction is in effect until further notice at Canal Run and Mixons Hammock campsites and at Stephen C. Foster State Park. Portable gas stoves are allowed but should be used with caution.
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys rivers.  The refuge provides habitat for threatened and endangered species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and wood stork, along with a wide variety of other wildlife.  It is world renowned for its amphibian populations that are bio-indicators of global health. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has 353,981 acres of National Wilderness Area within the refuge boundaries. In addition, the refuge is a Wetland of International Importance (RAMSAR Convention – 1971) because of the Okefenokee Swamp's importance and value on an international scale.
What's Happening?
Summer Resident Volunteer Opportunities
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is currently seeking summer resident volunteers for our Visitor Center Assistant and Maintenance Assistant positions. As a Visitor Center Assistant, you'll greet visitors, answer questions, and help create memorable experiences. As a Maintenance Assistant, you'll help keep our facilities and grounds in top shape. Resident v
olunteers enjoy a full hook-up RV pad in exchange for service hours. Please note that resident volunteers must bring their own RV or travel trailer to be eligible.
Learn more and apply through
Volunteer.gov
Low Water Level Impacts at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (current 4/16/2026)
Dry conditions and low water levels continue to impact access to several water trails and paddle-in platforms in the Okefenokee Wilderness.
Campfire Restrictions
A campfire restriction is in effect until further notice at Canal Run and Mixons Hammock campsites and at
Stephen C. Foster State Park
. Portable gas stoves are allowed but should be used with caution.
Camping Permit Reservations
Camping permit reservations will be accepted
two weeks
in advance. It is not possible to paddle from one entrance to another. All trips must begin and end at the same location. Reservations will be honored if water levels and conditions allow, but routes may change or be canceled.
For current conditions, please call the Camping Permit Reservation Line at 912-496-3331 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 7:00 am to 10:00 am Eastern Time (excluding federal holidays).
Current Camping Platform Availability
From Suwannee Canal Recreation Area:
Any combination of Cedar Hammock, Buzzards Roost, Coffee Bay, Round Top, and Canal Run
From Stephen C. Foster State Park:
Mixons Hammock
From Kingfisher Landing
Bluff Lake back to Kingfisher Landing
Maul Hammock back to Kingfisher Landing
The trails beyond Maul Hammock and Bluff Lake platforms are closed.
Floyds Island is closed.
Big Water and Minnies Lake camping platforms are closed as of April 1, 2026. Reservations made on March 31, 2026 or prior will be honored if water levels allow.
Day-Use Boating
Most day-use trails remain accessible. Use extreme caution in areas with floating peat and watch for submerged logs along the Red Trail south of Big Water. Visitors should call ahead to
Okefenokee Adventures
at 912-496-7156 or
Stephen C. Foster State Park
at 912-637-5274 to ask about the availability of boat tours and guided trips.
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Pay Your Entrance Fee on Recreation.gov
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge makes it easy for you to
pay your entrance fee
(buy an annual or day pass) before your visit using
Recreation.gov
. Learn more about entrance fees on our
Visit Us page
Becoming a World Heritage Site
Being recognized as a World Heritage Site would increase the significance of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to the world!
Okefenokee Boundary Expansion
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finalizes Plan for a Minor Expansion of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Boundary
The Chesser Family Legacy
Explore a Family Legacy: Journey Through Chesser Island in the Okefenokee Swamp
Visit Us
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Visitors to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge can experience and enjoy a unique ecosystem with a fascinating cultural history and rich species diversity. A visit to Okefenokee is a fantastic way to explore the great outdoors and connect with nature!
Refuge Hours
March to October
: Open daily one half-hour before sunrise to 7:30 pm
November to February
: Open daily one half-hour before sunrise to 5:30 pm
The
Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center
is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Stop by the front desk to learn about recent wildlife sightings and opportunities for
wildlife watching
camping
hiking
canoeing and kayaking
boating
hunting
fishing
photography
, and more!
Entrance Fee
: $5/weekly or $15/annually per vehicle. A variety of passes can be purchased in-person or online through
Recreation.gov
. Learn more about entrance fees and passes on the
Visit Us page
Learn More About Visiting
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.
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Learn More About Us
View Our Tours
What We Do
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.
Looking for a Special Use Permit application? Visit our
Facility Services page
to learn more.
More About What We Do
Our Organization
National Wildlife Refuge System
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
Program
Washington,
DC
Federal Duck Stamp
Since 1934, sales from Federal Duck Stamps have raised more than $1.3 billion to conserve more than 6 million acres of wetlands habitat. That makes the Federal Duck Stamp one of the most successful conservation revenue programs in history! Over 98% of the money raised from the sale of Duck Stamps...
Program
Falls Church,
VA
Wilderness
Wilderness areas are wild, undeveloped, federally protected areas where you can see wildlife in its natural habitat, enjoy adventure and unmechanized recreation, or just relish solitude. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages more than 20 million acres of Congressionally designated wilderness...
Program
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.
American Alligator (
Alligator mississippiensis
The American alligator is a large, semi-aquatic, armored reptile that is related to crocodiles. Their body alone ranges from 6 - 14 feet long. Almost black in color, it has prominent eyes and nostrils with coarse scales over the entire body. It has a large, long head with visible upper teeth...
FWS Focus
Species
Kingdom
Animalia
Taxonomic Rank
Species
American Black Bear (
Ursus americanus
In the East, nearly black; in the West, black to cinnamon, with white blaze on chest. A "blue" phase occurs near Yakutat Bay, Alaska, and a nearly white population on Gribble Island, British Columbia, and the neighboring mainland. Snout tan or grizzled; in profile straight or slightly convex. 3...
FWS Focus
Species
Kingdom
Animalia
Taxonomic Rank
Species
View Our Species
Our Library
Visit our digital library to find refuge brochures and other documents.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Image Library
Photos of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Library Collection
46 Items
Name
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge General Brochure
PDF
May 5, 2025
Name
Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Guide 2023.pdf
PDF
View Our Library
Get Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
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.
View More Opportunities
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