Frequently Asked Questions
Okay, I’m Here… Now What Is There To Do?
The Okefenokee offers lot to do and see and experience! You can arrange for a guided interpretive tour with one of our professional guides. You can explore the swamp’s waterways on your own by canoe, kayak or boat. You can drive or bike the Swamp Island Drive, and you can relax on the porch of the historic Chesser homestead on Chesser Island. Walk the boardwalk and climb the steps of the Owl’s Roost observation tower. Hike trails through pines and hardwoods and swamp. Let our Refuge Visitor Center make learning about the Okefenokee fun. And, of course, you can always browse our gift shop and relax with the best food in the swamp in our Camp Cornelia Café.
As a partner with Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge’s public use program, it is our job here at Okefenokee Adventures to help you have a memorable and rewarding Okefenokee experience. Please call or e-mail for additional information. We are always happy to help!
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Can I go out on my own?
Sure! We rent boats, canoes and kayaks for those who want to experience the swamp on their own. We’ll provide a map of the water trails along with good advice about the best places to go and what you might see along the way. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, it’s always a wonderful adventure in the Swamp.
Liability and maintenance issues require a safe boating certificate, state boater’s license, or other proof of training in boating operation for the rental of motorized craft from Okefenokee Adventures.
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What can I do on dry land?
Well, Okefenokee is a swamp but there are actually a lot of options for exploring on foot:
The Wildlife Drive is an 8-mile round trip self-guided driving tour with numerous walking trails along the way. The main highlights on this drive are the Chesser Island Homestead, the boardwalk and observation tower. You can go by car or, better yet, by bicycle. (We have them for rent if you don’t have your own.) It’s an easy pedal – no hills!
The Chesser Homestead is an historic swamp family home originally built in 1927. It’s a great way to see how swamp pioneers lived during those times. A Refuge volunteer is often stationed there to talk about the house, show visitors inside and answer questions. Several outbuildings surround the home displaying old tools, livestock pens, and equipment for cane syrup production.
The boardwalk is ¾ of a mile long and runs through a dense tangle of bay swamp and open prairie. It has sheltered rest stops along the way and ends at the 50-ft. Owls Roost observation tower with a sweeping view across the watery expanse of Chesser Prairie’s Seagrove Lake.
Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center - The Refuge Visitor Center has a 15-minute award winning film showing beautiful scenes of the Okefenokee, as well as interpretive exhibits, hands-on displays, a wildlife jukebox and a life-like mechanical swamper storyteller.
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Do you have group rates?
We cater to groups including Elderhostel programs, tour companies, schools, Scouts and church groups. Ask us about planning a day in the swamp for everyone to enjoy!
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What other services and amenities do you have?
Have lunch in our Camp Cornelia Café!
Okefenokee Adventures operates a small restaurant on site that is named in honor of our historical site. We have the best food in the swamp! We serve sandwiches, salads and vegetarian fare and can prepare group meals. We often do cookouts and low country shrimp boils.
Shop in our gift shop
For film, hats, T-shirts, educational toys, and more.
We also sell canoes
and kayaks.
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Contact us with any questions we haven't covered here.