The Okefenokee Swamp is a shallow, 438,000-acre (177,000 ha), peat-filled wetland straddling the Georgia–Florida line in the United States. A majority of the swamp is protected by the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Okefenokee Wilderness. The Okefenokee Swamp is considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. The Okefenokee is the largest "blackwater" swamp in North America.

The swamp was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974.

Russell 2

Blackjack Island wildfire, April-May 2002, Okefenokee Swamp

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Wet Prairie.

We first tried to go to the Okefenokee Swamp in 1985 but were told it was closed due to a drought. In 2004, we considered trying go there again on another vacation through the Southeast, but it had been another dry year. Finally, in 2018, we were able to go.

Okefenokee Swamp; Georgia; Winter 2008

Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge

Okefenokee Swamp; Georgia; Winter 2008

As we motored around the 1st bend we saw 100 or more buzzards? vultures? apparently sunning in the morning light!

Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge

Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross, Georgia.

The next day it was still raining, and it rained all day. Normal people would have stayed indoors.

But no ... we drove up to Georgia, to the Okefenokee Swamp.

The Okefenokee Swamp is a shallow, 438,000-acre, peat-filled wetland straddling the Georgia-Florida line in the United States. A majority of the swamp is protected by the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Okefenokee Wilderness. The Okefenokee Swamp is considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia and is the largest blackwater swamp in North America.

The swamp was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974.

As a child, I heard so many tales about the Okefenokee Swamp ... people getting lost in it ... it was a place I had always wanted to visit.

ash from a saw palmetto drift down onto the boardwalk

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, September 10, 2021, 11:43 a.m.: Lily pond: This patch of lily pads is in the swamp next to a short trail next to the Chesser homestead.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, September 10, 2021, 1:57 p.m.: Spanish moss: Spanish moss hangs from cypress trees on the north side of the Chesser Island observation tower. This is looking from the top level of the tower.

"Picking water lilies, Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross, Ga." Card. 1930. Digital Commonwealth, ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/qv33sk26s (accessed December 25, 2017).

Note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following:

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