OKEFENOKEE SWAMP: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Spanning more than 400,000 acres, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is North America’s largest blackwater swamp – and it’s one of the wildest places in the nation. It’s no surprise this wildlife-rich area is home to more than 10,000 alligators – keep watch and you may see one swimming or basking in the sun. Encounter rare birds like the red-cockaded woodpecker, or spot furry creatures like the river otter, black bear, or gray fox from a distance. Alive with floating islands and densely tangled forests, the Okefenokee – a Native American word meaning “trembling earth” – teems with lush flora, including carnivorous plants like pitchers and sundews. Explore its winding waterways by boat or kayak, or hike one of the boardwalk trails through ancient cypress trees to get a true sense of the ecosystem that defines this natural wonder. Then, camp at Stephen C. Foster State Park for the promise of glittering stars – it’s Georgia’s only certified International Dark Sky Park. 54 #EXPLOREGEORGIA OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, OKEFENOKEE | EXPLORE GEORGIA
Official State Travel Guide 2026 Georgia Official State Travel Guide: Page 54
