Stephen C. Foster State Park sits at the end of a 17-mile paved road cutting through the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and that drive alone signals what kind of campground this is: remote, wildlife-dense, and a long way from the nearest grocery store. The park is managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and encompasses 120 acres within the refuge, giving it a dual-fee structure that campers should know about. A $5 refuge fee applies on top of the state park rate, and the gates lock at night, so plan arrivals accordingly.
The 66 tent and RV sites are set among trees draped with Spanish moss, with most sites carrying water and 30/50-amp electric hookups. Sites 1 through 25 tend to accommodate larger rigs, while sites 26 through 58 run smaller. Pull-through sites are numbered 59 through 64. Two comfort stations with individual shower units serve the campground, and multiple reviewers note they stay consistently clean despite the swampy surroundings. The campground has a dump station with a single port, and during busy weekends, lines can back up significantly. Cell service is unreliable throughout the park, though Wi-Fi is available at the Trading Post.
Wildlife moves through the campground and surrounding waterways in numbers that catch most first-time visitors off guard. Deer wander between sites, raccoons investigate coolers, and bears have been spotted near the cottages. Out on the water, alligators are a constant presence. Joel R. notes that "alligators can be competing for your catch" when fishing, and the refuge holds an estimated 12,000 of them. The camp store rents canoes, kayaks, and motorized skiffs, and the two-mile paddle to Billy's Island, with its remnants of old logging equipment and a layered history involving Native Americans and AWOL soldiers, is one of the more distinctive day trips in the region. The Trembling Earth Nature Trail provides a boardwalk option for those who prefer to stay on land.
Bugs are a real consideration here. Multiple reviewers identify late spring and summer as the most intense mosquito season, with April described by staff as comparatively manageable. Winter visits largely sidestep the insect issue, though temperatures can drop to freezing at night and the unheated bathroom facilities reflect that. The park holds a Dark Sky designation, and on clear nights the lack of artificial light makes stargazing a genuine draw, not just a footnote. Campers interested in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping or Okefenokee Wilderness Primitive Camping will find additional access points into the swamp through those options. Reservations are available and worth booking in advance for weekend stays, especially in spring. Stock up on supplies before turning onto Route 177, because the nearest town is well over an hour's round trip.
Description
This remote park is a primary entrance to the legendary Okefenokee Swamp -- one of Georgia's seven natural wonders. Spanish moss-laced trees reflect off the black swamp waters, while cypress knees rise upward from the glass-like surface. Here, paddlers and photographers will enjoy breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. Alligators, turtles, raccoons, black bears, deer, ibis, herons, wood storks, red-cockaded woodpeckers and numerous other creatures make their homes in the 402,000-acre refuge. Stargazers will appreciate the particularly dark sky. Astronomy programs with an 18" telescope are sometimes offered.
For reservation inquiries please call 1-800-864-7275.
For Park inquiries and Suwannee River Eco Lodge inquiries please call 912-637-5274.
Stephen C. Foster State Park is the west entrance for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The gates close promptly at 10pm and reopen at 7am. Access in or out, of park, cannot and will not be granted during these hours. Stephen C. Foster State Park also manages the Suwannee River Eco Lodge which is located 17 miles south. A ParkPass is required for all vehicles. Price for ParkPasses are not included with the reservation. Overnight guests pay only one ParkPass fee for the duration of their stay. The daily ParkPass is valid at all state parks visited the same day and is not valid at state historic sites.
ParkPass fees are as follow:
1-12 passenger vehicles $5 per day or $50 annual ParkPass;
13-30 passenger vehicles $30 per day or $75 annual ParkPass;
31 or more passenger vehicles $70 per day or $250 annual ParkPass;
Georgia active duty military/veterans $3.75 per day or $37.50 annual ParkPass.
Federal passes are accepted in placement of the Georgia State's ParkPass.
For information on our park rules and reservation policies please visit our website http://gastateparks.org/thingstoknow. Rules and regulations are posted at site offices and must be observed by all guests and their visitors.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
For more information on upcoming events at Georgia State Parks, click here.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsStephen C. Foster State Park Campground is located in Georgia near Fargo
Directions
Located 18 miles northeast of Fargo at the end of Ga. Hwy. 177. Note that GPS directions are often not accurate; consult a highway map
Address
17515 HIGHWAY 177
Fargo, GA 31631
Coordinates
30.82628575 N
82.36167236 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 users
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/7/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 users
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/7/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 19 min from Valdosta, GA
- 1 hr 39 min from Jacksonville, FL
- 1 hr 55 min from Gainesville, FL
- 2 hrs 12 min from Brunswick, GA
