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Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from April 11, 2024 through April 4, 2025.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping is located near Folkston, Georgia. The area features flat terrain with wetlands and swamps. Temperatures range from 40°F in winter to 90°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Okefenokee Swamp Park and the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area.

Description

Fish and Wildlife Service

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Overview

Planning Your TripWhen you make your reservation, you will be reserving a camping platform (or island) or series of platforms. To view possible itineraries, click on the "Build Itinerary" button at the top right of the page. This itinerary page is a great reference, but it may not be 100% accurate if there are trail closures or impassable conditions affecting portions of the trail system in relation to certain overnight sites. The trails are designated by different colors and one trip may take you on several different trails - paddlers should look for colored trail markers which also designate the mile. During your trip, you must stay on the designated trails that take you on the most direct route to your overnight site. Some routes enter one part of the refuge and exit at another; please plan accordingly to either hire a shuttle service or provide your own transportation if you will be entering and exiting from different swamp entrances. For help with an itinerary or questions about current trail conditions, please call the Permit Reservation Line Tuesdays-Thursdays from 7:00 A.M.- 10:00 A.M. EST. For general information you can call the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center at 912-496-7836 from 9:00 A.M.- 4:00 P.M.View the refuge map and Wilderness Canoe Guide here__ Refuge Information Located in southeast Georgia, the Okefenokee Swamp is one of the largest intact freshwater wetlands in the world. Nearly all of the swamp and some of the neighboring uplands were set aside as the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in 1937 and now total over 407,000 acres. One of the most unique experiences a visitor can have is wilderness camping in the vast and pristine swamp. With approximately 120 miles of water trails, seven overnight camping platforms and two interior island campsites, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors from all over the country (and the world) a unique recreation experience. Okefenokee NWR only issues one permit per platform each night, offering your party complete solitude to enjoy the swamp during your wilderness camping experience.

contact_info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (912) 496-7836 for general information.

Charges & Cancellations

The $10.00 reservation fee is non-refundable. Reservations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the entry date will be refunded camping/amenity fees minus a $15.00 cancellation fee. Reservations cancelled within 13 days of the entry date will not be refunded. If the refuge must close for any reason, all guests with affected reservations will be notified immediately and will be issued full refunds, including the $10.00 reservation fee.

Fee Info

A non-refundable $10.00 reservation fee will apply. <br>Trips are limited to one or two nights during Peak Season.__ Maximum of 20 people per camping permit.

Reservation Info

Permit Required

The Permit Reservation Line is open Tuesday - Thursday (excluding federal holidays) from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. The Reservation Line phone number is 912-496-3331. No reservations will be made outside of this time or via voicemail. NO EXCEPTIONS.

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Location

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping is located in Georgia

Detail location of campground

Directions

Directions to the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area (Do not depend of GPS directions to bring you to this location) Directions from Folkston, Georgia to Main Entrance of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge___ Turn onto Main Street heading west. Go through two stoplights and across the railroad tracks.___ Take a left at 3rd light onto Okefenokee Trail (Parkway), also called GA 121/23 South.___ Drive for approx. 7 miles, then turn right at the large beige ___Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge___ sign.___ Follow this road about 4 miles to the end. When you reach a large parking area, you will see the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center on your left and Okefenokee Adventures is located next to the boat basin.Directions from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)___ Depart from the airport terminal on the airport road, turning into Dixie Clipper Rd. Take Dixie Clipper Road to I-95 Northbound. ___ Follow the directions from Interstate 95-exit 3 (below) to get to Okefenokee Directions from Interstate 95-exit 3 (Kingsland, GA)___ Take GA 40 West approx. 22 miles through Kingsland to Folkston.___ Where GA 40 dead ends at a ___T___ intersection, turn right onto Third Street then take the next immediate left onto Main Street (courthouse is on your right at turn).___ Follow directions from Folkston, GA listed above.Directions from Jacksonville, FL area ___ Take US 1 North through the towns of Callahan and Hilliard. After you cross the St. Marys River into Georgia, go about 4 miles until you enter the town of Folkston.___ Turn left at the 2nd stop light onto Main Street (look for brown Okefenokee sign)___ Follow directions from Folkston, GA listed above. Directions from Atlanta, GA area___ Take Interstate 75 South out of Atlanta___ In Tifton, take US 82 East towards Waycross. Stay on US 82 East all the way into Waycross___ Turn Right onto US 1 South in Waycross heading towards Folkston. You___ll pass the Okefenokee Swamp Park along US 1 South. Continue driving on US 1 to Folkston.___ Once you enter Folkston, turn right at 2nd light onto Main Street.___ Follow directions from Folkston, GA listed above.Directions from Brunswick, GA area___ Take I-95 South towards Kingsland.___ Take Exit 3 off I-95 and turn West (Right) on GA 40___ Follow directions from Interstate 95-Exit 3 listed above ___ Follow directions from Folkston, GA listed above. Directions from Interstate 10 and St. George___ Take exit 48 from I-10 onto FL 121 North.___ Drive north on Fl 121 approx. 20 miles until you reach St George, GA. The road designation will switch to GA 121/23 when you cross over the St. Marys River into Georgia.___ Proceed north approx. 14 miles until you see ___Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge___ sign, turn left and follow this road about 4 miles to the Visitor Center.

Address

2700 Suwannee Canal Road
Folkston, GA 31537

Coordinates

30.8040917 N
82.3071389 W

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Access

  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping needs a permit.

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Reviews

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2 Reviews

Reviewed Mar. 13, 2023

Wonderful!

Probably one of the most beautiful campgrounds I ever stayed in. They made sure to spread the campers out so we had our own privacy. Lots of wildlife and nature!

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Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping by Breezy B., March 13, 2023
Reviewed Mar. 12, 2021

Bluff Lake and Round Top

Spent 2 nights in the swamp. Rented canoes and took shuttle to Launch at kingfisher landing, spent 1st night at Bluff Lake and 2nd at Round Top. Ended at SCRA/okefenokee adventures. Platforms in great shape. Bluff lake had a table and benches which was very nice. Beautiful views at Round Top but no table or movable bench. 32 miles of total paddling through some varying environments. Already planning our trip for next year.

  • Review photo of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping by Mark H., March 12, 2021
  • Review photo of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping by Mark H., March 12, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping?

    Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping is located at 120 feet.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping?

    There are 12 campsites at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts