Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Overnight Camping Permit

$15.00/person

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.

Camp site features

Across 11 camp sites:

  • Largest party: 20 people

Fees

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.

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.

Reviews

331 reviews
5 stars
284
4 stars
38
3 stars
6
2 stars
1
1 stars
2
Aaron D
Loop:Coffee Bay
Site:
Reviewed 24 days ago
Everything was great!
Martin B
Loop:Buzzard Roost
Site:
Reviewed 6 months ago
The refuge was beautiful as usual. I wanted to stay at the two new platforms, Cedar Hammock and Buzzard's Roost, but a low water level made the trails to those platforms impassable, so I stayed instead at Canal Run and Coffee Bay. I've stayed at both platforms before, but all of the platforms are a memorable experience. Canal Run seems to attract alligators or at least one alligator who camps there apparently hoping to be fed. Was my third stay there. I paddled in the rain for a couple of hours on my third day, but considering the drought, I didn't mind, and judging from the waterline visible on the cypress trees, the rain raised the water level significantly. Hopefully, I can use the new platforms on my next trip in the fall. I live in north Geogia six hours away from the refuge, but a trip there, sometimes two, has the highlight of my year for several years, always eagerly anticipated.
Eric B
Loop:Canal Run
Site:
Reviewed 6 months ago
All employees were very helpful.
Cathy S
Loop:Cedar Hammock
Site:
Reviewed 6 months ago
The Okefenokee Swamp is always marvelous, even when she's smoky. The water levels were the lowest I have seen in decades, so places on the trails were like paddling through sludge. I'm fascinated how the swamp pinks and rose pogonias change locations from year to year. One of the highlights was observing a pair of Florida Sandhill Cranes feeding for 20 minutes close by.
Anne N
Loop:Cedar Hammock
Site:
Reviewed 7 months ago
The most magical place. I accidentally smacked an underwater gator with my oar and it was so chill about it. Birds abounding, beautiful foliage and landscape, and excellently managed so it feels like true wilderness.
Frankie D
Loop:Canal Run
Site:
Reviewed 7 months ago
The paddling, camping, wildlife viewing, night sky, etc. are all outstanding.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve
Popularity: Very quiet

Season dates

Off Peak season

May 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026

Reservable online

Off Peak season

Jan 1, 2027 – Feb 28, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

Mar 1, 2027 – Apr 30, 2027

Reservable online

Off Peak season

May 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027

Reservable online

Off Peak season

Jan 1, 2028 – Feb 28, 2028

Reservable online

Peak season

Mar 1, 2028 – Apr 30, 2028

Reservable online

Off Peak season

May 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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