Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Travel Guide

 Basaic Says:  Another attraction is the Highsmith Cabin, a pioneer cabin that is located near the Cypress Cove Annex. The cabin has been rebuilt and furnished as closely as possible to original. 

 Basaic Says:  In 1941, Walt Kelly started drawing a cartoon with characters that occupied Okefenokee Swamp. Then in 1948, he created the beloved cartoon character Pogo the Possum. Pogo looked at the problems of the world with a childlike innocence but also a keen insight. At its peak Pogo... 

 Basaic Says:  The park also has displays about the Native Americans that inhabited this area in the past. This is a typical Seminole House called a Chickee. 

 Basaic Says:  The park has several activities aimed at the kids. They can have their pictures taken with these cutouts, learn from several hands-on displays, or participate in other activities. 

 Basaic Says:  The star animal of the Okefenokee Swamp is the alligator. Alligators grow from 6 to 16 1/2 feet long. The largest alligator on record was over 19 feet long. They are fast swimmers and can move decptively fast for short distances on land. 

 Basaic Says:  In the center of the park is a display of differnt swamp creatures in a more natural habitat. Two of the animals you will see are turtles and the always fun otters. 

 Basaic Says:  The Nature Center also has a number of types of snakes on display. This is a good educational tool so you can recognize which snakes in the area are dangerous. 

 Basaic Says:  One place you should not miss, especially if you have kids, is the Nature Center. The Nature Center has several displays of animals native to the swamp, including some hands-on exhibits. 

 Basaic Says:  As you walk through the main part of the park, you will see a short, easy boradwalk trail. This will give you an idea what the swamp habitat is like if you do not have the time or money for the full boat tours. 

 Basaic Says:  Boat tours are offered ranging from a 30 minute tour for $16 to a two hour tour for $30. I recommend a boat tour so you can get a better idea what the swamp is like. You will see a variety of unique plants and animals in their natural habitat. 

 Basaic Says:  The star of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the approximately 700 square mile Okefenokee Swamp. Okefenokee is a derivative of the Creek and Seminole words for "trembling earth". The swamp has this name because the peat filled earth is so soft if you jump up and... 

 grandmaR Says:  I was determined to take a boat trip into the swamp, so we took one of the concessionaire's guided boat trip down the canal (photo 3) and into the lakes. Lower than normal water levels offer great opportunities for wildlife viewing. We saw alligators (photo 4 and 5) and... 

 mtncorg Says:  On the water you can come across numerous different species of plant and animal. One almost everyone wants to see is the Alligator. Remember: "Don't feed the animals .... They will bite" 

 mtncorg Says:  I visited the Okefenokee via Stephen C. Foster State Park on the SW edge of the swamp. The park is named after the 19th Century American songwriter and is located where the river he made famous in song - the Suwanee - emerges from the swamp. There are cottages you can rent,... 

 mtncorg Says:  At the least, I heartily recommend a short boat tour out into the swamp to get a small taste of this environment. REmember it can be hot and humid here. Sun protection and something for the bugs who also like to make their home here :-0