Live on the wild side at Okeefenokee Wildlife Refuge

WAYCROSS — The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Okefenokee Swamp Park welcome visitors from all 50 states and nearly30 countries each year, offering a diversity of visitor opportunities to explore the largest intact blackwater swamp in North America.

Officials at Okefenokee say the refuge and park visitor services programs are based on partnerships.

The unique partnership between the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Okefenokee Swamp Park Inc. was affirmed last week through the signing of a 10-year concession contract renewal between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Okefenokee Swamp Park.

The long-standing partnership allows for visitors to witness the beauty and mystery of the Okefenokee through boat tours, boardwalks, live animal programs, cultural programs, and train tours at the northern entrance to the swamp, located off of U.S. Highway 1 in Waycross.

“The signing of this agreement marks a new era of partnership and collaboration between the refuge and the Okefenokee Swamp Park,” Refuge Manager Michael Lusk said. “The Okefenokee Swamp Park does an outstanding job educating the public about the ecological importance and majesty of the swamp, and we are pleased to be working closely with them into the future.”

Park board members also lauded to agreement.

“We are excited to continue our 70-plus-year relationship with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and look forward to the wonderful opportunities to come,” William Clark, chairman of the OSP Board of Trustees, said. “There is more going on at the park than there has been for many years, and this relationship renewal promises so many additional ways to work together as stewards and advocates for the Okefenokee.”

The public is encouraged to visit the three primary entrances to the Okefenokee. Each entrance offers a unique and varied experience that changes by the season. If planning a visit during the summer months, it is recommended to get out early in the day and be prepared with water and sunscreen.

The three entrances are:

— Okefenokee Swamp Park (Waycross) — Guided boat tours, authentic train tours, interpretive scientific and cultural programs, UGA alligator research with satellite tagging, educational bee hives, live animal exhibits, Pioneer Island, and the tallest observation tower in the refuge.

— Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (Folkston) — Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, Swamp Island Drive (auto-tour route), Chesser Island homestead, Chesser Island boardwalk, public boat ramp, Okefenokee Adventures concession operation (boat tours, canoe/kayak rentals, food service), hiking trails, fishing, hunting, and wilderness camping are available.

The Main Entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 7:30 p.m. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

— Stephen C. Foster State Park (Fargo) — Public boat ramp, fishing, boardwalk, hiking trails, bicycling, guided boat tours, motorboat and canoe/kayak rentals, interpretive programs, cabins, and tent/RV camping available.