Okefenokee Adventures Events Calendar
January 2009
Thursday, January 1 – New
Year's Day
Spend
the New Year’s Weekend relaxing and celebrating the New Year at
the 
Inn at Folkston.
During the day, canoe the Okefenokee Swamp.
Sunday, January 11
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
Monday, January 19 – Martin
Luther King Jr. Day
Take this long weekend to visit the Okefenokee and see the great flocks of migrating Greater Sandhill Cranes before they leave in February. Participate in Federal Lands Cleanup Day.
January Wildlife Notes
Big numbers of birds winter throughout the swamp you will find Sandhill Crane and Ibis particularly abundant near the junction of Grand and Chesser prairies and in the vicinity of Gannet Lake. Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, and teal can be seen amid the prairies and backwaters. Tree Swallows and American Robins form large flocks, and gray Catbirds disperse among the thickets. Alligators are harder to see but like to sun in the middle of the day.
• Top •
February 2008
February –
National Bird Feeding Month (birdfeeding.org)
Purchase a bird feeder and watch the birds out your window. Then go birding in the Okefenokee Swamp.
Sunday, February 1 – Super
Bowl XLIII,
Tampa, FL
No tickets? Take a tour of the Okefenokee
and then put
your feet up and watch the Super Bowl at the Inn
at Folkston.
Monday, February 2 – Groundhog Day (groundhog.org)
If you’re not going to Punxsutawney, visit the Okefenokee. The great flocks of migrating Greater Sandhill Cranes will be leaving soon.
Monday, February 9
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
Saturday, February 14 – Valentine's
Day
Take someone you love to the Okefenokee!
After
a day in the swamp, visit Inn
at Folkston with your sweetheart.
Monday, February 16 – President's
Day
Take advantage of the three-day weekend to spend time away from politics - in the Okefenokee!
February Wildlife Notes
The rites of spring start arriving to the swamp as Ospreys begin nesting, you can observe aerial courtship displays of red-tailed hawks, Southern Leopard Frogs can be heard calling. Ferns raise new fiddleheads, early blooming wildflowers, such as Neverwet, Arrowhead and Climbing Heath begin to flower. Wild turkeys seek mates during the latter part of the month.
• Top •
March 2008
Spring Break!
March and April – School’s out so bring the whole family. Make your reservations early.
Sunday, March 1
The refuge begins staying open till 7:30 p.m. (through October 31).
Sunday, March 8
Daylight savings time begins.
March 9 - 11 – Overnight Guided Tour
Spend two nights in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee. Call for more information.
Wednesday, March 11
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
Tuesday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s
Day
Look for that lucky clover in the Okefenokee!
March 18 - 20 – Overnight Guided Tour
Spend two nights in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee. Call for more information.
Friday, March 20 – First
Day of Spring
First day of spring – day and night are of equal length.
March 22 - 24 – Overnight Guided Tour
Spend two nights in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee. Call for more information.
March Wildlife Notes
Florida Cricket Frogs, Pig Frogs, and Carpenter Frogs join the choruses of Southern Leopard Frogs, Common Yellowthroats and Red-winged Blackbirds can be heard singing. Pond Cypress begin to get their leaves back. Wildflowers begin to bloom as the prairies fill with golden club, bladderworts, Hurrah Bush, Titi, Hatpins, and pawpaws. Alligators and aquatic turtles can be seen in bigger numbers sunning on exposed banks and logs.
• Top •
April 2008
April is Keep America
Beautiful Month
Keep Charlton Beautiful promotes a cleaner environment in Folkston and Charlton County. Support your local Keep America Beautiful Chapter. Join a local clean-up committee or participate in a clean-up day. Keep trash out of the Okefenokee Swamp. Bring out what you take in. Remember POGO.
Wednesday, April
1 – April Fools
First annual Okefenokee snipe hunt. ;)
April 4 - 6 – Overnight Guided Tour
Spend two nights in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee. Call for more information.
Saturday, April 4 – Folkston
Railwatch Train Festival
Come join other train fans at Folkston’s Historic Train Depot train video viewing. Bring your own video! Contact Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce for information, 912-496-2536. Don't pass up the opportunity to see the world-famous Okefenokee while you're here.
Thursday, April 9
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
April 10 - 11 – Overnight Guided Tour
Spend a night in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee. Call for more information.
Sunday, April 12 – Easter
Sunday
Enjoy the beauty of the earth – visit the Okefenokee
Saturday, April 18 – Celebrate National Wildlife Week and Earth Day
Join refuge staff and volunteers to help clean up the environment and learn how Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge protects, conserves and enhances habitat for fish and wildlife. The day begins with a litter pick-up on the refuge and adjacent Highway 121. Drop in the visitor center to learn ways to make a difference in your community. Then take off on a bicycle tour of Swamp Island Drive and stop at many staffed exhibits along the way. Learn about red-cockaded woodpeckers and their habitat needs. Discover how fire can benefit the Okefenokee Swamp. Find out which animals call Okefenokee their home. For more information, call the refuge Visitor Center at 912-496-7836.
April 24 - 26 – Overnight Guided Tour
Spend two nights in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee. Call for more information.
Saturday, April 25 – Earth
Day
The actual date. Practice being friendly to your planet today.
Friday, April 24 – National
Arbor Day (arborday.org)
Plant a tree. Georgia's state tree is the Live Oak.
April Wildlife Notes
Land bird activity and variety increase as incoming migrants join residents. Sandhill crane chicks are hatching and ospreys are seen feeding their young in their high bulky nests. Alligators bellow territorial warnings as mating begins. Orchids, Pitcher Plants, Grass Pink, Fragrant Water Lily, Spatterdock, and Virginia Sweetspire are in bloom. Swallowtail butterflies visit the blossoms of wild irises.
• Top •
May 2008
May is National Bike
Month (bikemonth.com)
Exercise is important. Bring your bike to the Okefenokee or rent one from us!
Saturday, May 9
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
Saturday, May 9 Migratory Bird Day
(birds.fws.gov/imbd ) & (birdday.org)
Join the nation in celebrating and learning about migratory birds. Activities include an early morning bird walk, exhibits, and a night time Owl Prowl. For more information, contact the Okefenokee NWR Visitor Center at 912-496-7836.
Sunday, May 10 Mother's
Day
Go birding with Mom at the Okefenokee. Bring Mom back to The Inn
at Folkston for a box of candy on her featherbed!
May 23-25 – Memorial
Day Weekend
Celebrate the beginning of summer but beat the south Georgia summer heat.
May Wildlife Notes
Many aquatic turtles are laying eggs, raccoons are just as rapidly digging up and eating the eggs. Wading birds become more conspicuous, common Nighthawks perform aerial displays. Warmouth perch fishing is improving. Pine woods Tree frogs and Little Grass Frogs can be heard calling. Watershield, Arrow Arum, and pitcher plants are in bloom. Newborn fawns appear.
• Top •
June 2008
June is National River
Month (amrivers.org)
Two great American rivers start in the Okefenokee Swamp – The Suwannee River which flows to the Gulf and The St. Marys River, flowing to the Atlantic.
Sunday, June 7
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
Saturday, June 6 – Banks Lake NWR Youth Fishing Derby
Show off your fishing skills! Have fun in a Fishing Derby for children age 3 – 15 and a CastingKids contest. Attend a knot tying demonstration and discover which knots are best for different test lines. Find out how folks “grunt worms” for bait. Bring a plain t-shirt and get free fish art to wear home. Take home free fishing information and fun gifts. Free refreshments will be available. For more information, call the refuge Visitor Center at 912-496-7836.
June 21 – Father's
Day
Surprise Dad - Bring him to the Okefenokee and then into town to watch trains at The Folkston Funnel.
Sunday, June 21 – Summer
Solstice
Summer officially begins with the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Come to the swamp before it heats up in Southeast Georgia. Take the Full Moon Sunset Tour tomorrow.
June Wildlife Notes
Chorus, green tree, pig, carpenter and over a dozen other species of frogs are heard during the evenings. White Water-lilies and sweet-bay flowers bloom. Good bream fishing.
• Top •
July 2008
July is Baked Bean
Month, National
Hot Dog Month, and/or Blueberries Month
Celebratnig each or all three, this is a great time to have a picnic at the Okefenokee.
Saturday, July 4 – Fourth of
July!
Celebrate Stephen Foster’s birthday by visiting the Okefenokee Swamp.
Tuesday, July 7
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
July Wildlife Notes
Young herons, egrets and ibis, now fully fledged, leave the rookeries. Wood storks are observed feeding in the prairies. Red-headed woodpeckers and pine warblers are seen in pine forest uplands. Deer are best viewed in the early morning; the bucks are showing their new sets of velvet-covered antlers.
• Top •
August 2008
August is Back to School
Month and National Catfish Month
Squeeze in a few days of family activity at the Okefenokee before school begins. Bring your family to south Georgia for some catfish. The Okefenokee Restaurant in downtown Folkston serves some of the best. Great month for watching trains at The Folkston Funnel.
Thursday, August 6
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
August Wildlife Notes
Small flocks of blue-winged teal arrive. Alligator nests hatch and the young alligators may be heard "clucking" to their mother. Nighthawks and chuck-will's widow frequent the evening sky, scooping insects from the air.
September 2008
Monday, September 7 – Labor
Day
End the summer canoeing in the swamp! Then, eat catfish at the Kingsland Labor Day Catfish Festival (20 minute drive).
Friday, September 4
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
Sunday, September
13 – National Grandparents Day
Bring your Granny and Grandaddy, Gran or Paw paw out for a picnic at the Okefenokee, and then into town to watch trains at the Folkston Funnel this weekend. They would love the featherbeds at The Inn at Folkston.
Tuesday, September
22 – First Day of Autumn
Fall is a most beautiful time of year in the Okefenokee.
Saturday, September 26 –National Public Lands Day Celebration
Join us for a day set aside for service to our nation’s public lands. Activities include maintenance on the historic Chesser Island Homestead. Free hot dogs and refreshments for participants! For more information, contact the refuge Visitor Center at 912-496-7836.
September Wildlife Notes
Fall migration begins as many different warblers move through the area. Fall fishing improves as daytime temperatures lower.
• Top •
October 2008
Sunday, October 4
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
Saturday, October
10 – Okefenokee Festival / National Wildlife Refuge Week
Okefenokee Festival/National Wildlife Refuge Week - Visit the Chesser Island Homestead to discover how people once lived in Southeast Georgia at the time the refuge system was established. Learn how settlers made soap, brooms, butter, quilts, baskets, and other everyday items. Examine how settlers washed clothes, smoked meat, made pickets, and survived in and around the swamp. Sample boiled peanuts, soup, biscuits, and other items cooked on a wood-burning stove. Listen to the sounds of bluegrass music, stories, and four-note singing. Enjoy horses, mules, and other livestock. Join in the games your grandparents played - musical chairs, wheelbarrow races and more! For more information, call the refuge Visitor Center at 912-496-7836.
Don’t miss downtown Folkston’s parade, craft vendors, food and activities. For more information on these events, call the Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce at 912-496-2536.
Monday, October 12 – Columbus
Day Holiday
Spend this federal holiday in a national wildlife refuge like the Okefenokee!
Saturday, October
31 – Halloween
See a spooky sunset among the spanish moss.
October Wildlife Notes
Black bears are active, feeding on acorns, nuts and berries. Marsh hawks are seen gliding low over the prairies.
• Top •
November 2008
Sunday, November 1
Daylight Savings Time Ends and the Refuge hours change to 5:30 p.m. closing.
Monday, November 2
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
Wednesday, November 11 – Veteran's Day
Thank you for your service, vets!
Saturday,
November 21 – Sugar Cane Grinding and Syrup Boil
Take part in a traditional sugar cane boil. Cut your own sugar cane from the garden, grind it using a traditional mule operated grinder, and sample the sweet cane juice. Watch as staff and volunteers boil down a vat of sugar cane juice and produce authentic pure cane syrup. For more information, call the refuge Visitor Center at 912-496-7836
Thursday, November 26 – Thanksgiving
Day
Take advantage of the long weekend off from work and school.
Bring the family to the Okefenokee and then downtown to watch trains. The Inn at Folkston has a holiday special.
November Wildlife Notes
Robins and migrating greater sandhill cranes arrive with the cool weather. Watch for the occasional bald eagle, migrating through the swamp to Florida wintering sites. With cool weather comes the traditional fall color change. Cypress needles turn a golden brown, and sweet gum leaves glow a reddish hue before tumbling to the ground.
• Top •
December 2008
Wednesday, December 2
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
Saturday,
December 12 – Christmas on Chesser Island
Celebrate the holiday season at the Chesser Island Homestead with a hayride, luminaries, refreshments, caroling, and live music! Discover the region's traditions as you tour a swamp homestead decorated with traditional homemade decorations. Stay warm by the bonfire while enjoying homemade cookies and cider. For more information, call the refuge Visitor Center at 912-496-7836.
Monday, December 21
Winter begins this is the shortest day of the year.
Friday, December 25 – Christmas
Merry Christmas! This is the only day the refuge is closed.
Thursday, December 31
Full Moon Sunset Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Treat yourself to a stay at the Inn at Folkston after an evening in the swamp.
December Wildlife Notes
Otters are seen swimming in the lakes and boat trails as alligators become less active. Wading birds are prominent as they forage amid the prairies. Wood Ducks and teal can be seen throughout the swamp.
• Top •
See you in the swamp this year!