There are many ways to see the legendary Okefenokee Swamp, but the best way to appreciate the incredible beauty is from a canoe trip deep into the interior.
The Okefenokee is located in the southeast corner of Georgia, near the Florida border, in the USA.
Known as "Land of Trembling Earth" to the Creek and Seminole tribes who lived in the area before the arrival of Europeans, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 700 square miles near the small Georgia towns of Folkston and Waycross. Okefenokee Pastimes Inc. calls it "the largest, intact and un-fragmented wetland wilderness swamp in North America."
A trip to the interior of the swamp is not for those intimidated by alligator sightings or the possibility of poisonous snakes, because five different types of the latter live there.
Fall and spring are the popular seasons because of intense heat and insects in the summer months and the cold in the winter.
A trip to the interior requires that a person be fit enough to paddle 10 miles or so a day, be an adult or mature teenager, and an experienced paddler. While some of the trail may be in a river, the majority of the time canoeists must paddle because of lack of current.
If an emergency occurs, there are few places for helicopters to land and help may be hours away, Wildlife South advises.
Trips to the Interior of Okefenokee Swamp by Canoe Are Scenic and Quiet, Perhaps Grueling
"There are 120 miles of boat trails within the refuge but only 70 miles of trail are open to the public for day-use (boats 10 horsepower or less, canoes, and kayaks). Some segments of the boat trails are for overnight wilderness canoeing only," according to the Wildlife South website.
On these water trails for the campers, canoes traverse the black waters of the Okefenokee across open prairie and sunlit lakes that have areas of dense water lilies, or sometimes under a canopy of tall cypress tress festooned and draped with the mysterious, somewhat eerie Spanish moss.
Birds flit through the trees, and wildlife roams about. Long green alligators sunning on a sandbar or log may slip into the water and swim in front of a canoe.
The Fellow Travelers website states: "The west side of the swamp is probably the most scenic area …. Birds and alligators are easily spotted. Deer, foxes, and raccoons roam the park. Occasionally a bobcat is seen, and even more occasionally a black bear will be noted."
Fellow Travelers suggests making reservations for its interior trips as much as a year in advance since use of the few camping platforms must be strictly scheduled and the desirable peak seasons are so short. Platforms are wooden shelters rising on poles from the swamp and accessed by ladders. They are partially roofed and include porta-potty areas. Ten people is the maximum number that a platform can comfortably accommodate.
Ecological Friendly Rules Govern Okefenokee Swamp, and 'Leave No Trace' Reigns
Anything that is carried into the swamp must be carried out in a "leave no trace" campaign.
No campfires are allowed on the wooden platforms, but small grills and charcoal may be carried in.
Between the platforms, there is no real dry land for a break from the canoe, and the platforms are several hours apart.
Dry Weather Hazards Include Need for Push Poles and Porting Canoes Long Distances
During a particularly dry time, canoeing may be difficult. One club on an overnight trip made extra "push poles" which were carried in each vessel. When there was not enough water for travel, the back passenger in each canoe used the push poles to propel the vessel.
The park rangers and other officials know the area well and are able to advise travelers what they may encounter before they set out from Kingfisher Landing, Stephen Foster Park or the Suwannee Canal entrance to the swamp.
For intrepid paddlers, the Okefenokee is a place that is almost magical – canoes glide silently through open black water beneath bright blue skies, or wind down narrow water paths between tall cypress trees festooned with waving Spanish moss. For the those who prefer a tamer excursion, outfitters offer guided tours of an hour to a few hours, or people can stay on dry land or in their cars to explore the area.
Velma Southerland - Velma Southerland has been employed in the lifestyles section of an award-winning East Tennessee community newspaper for more than 20 ...
