Free Camping Collection
Public Campground
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from April 11, 2025 through April 4, 2026.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from April 11, 2025 through April 4, 2026.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is experiencing increasingly dry weather conditions and low water levels which are impacting access to several water trails and paddle-in camping platforms. Visit the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge website for current conditions.
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
Overview
Slip your canoe or kayak into the blackwater and paddle into a world of moss-draped cypress trees, echoing night sounds, and a rare solitude that exists only deep within the wilderness of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. An Overnight Camping Permit allows overnight camping in the Okefenokee Wilderness on elevated platforms and islands. Online reservations are not available. You must call the Permit Reservation Line at 912-496-3331 Tuesday to Thursday, from 7:00 am to 10:00 am EST to reserve a campsite.Visit the refuge’s Camping page before planning your camping trip.Enter the dates of your trip below to explore possible routes. While this tool is a helpful reference, conditions such as trail closures or impassable routes may affect access to certain overnight sites.Visit the Library page of our website to view the Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Guide.
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. 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.
Location
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Camping is located in Georgia
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
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
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.
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 19 min from Valdosta, GA
- 1 hr 39 min from Jacksonville, FL
- 1 hr 56 min from Gainesville, FL
- 2 hrs 12 min from Brunswick, GA











