Reservations (800) 864-7275
Park
(912) 637-5274
FACILITIES AVAILABLE for February 3-5:
Tent & RV Campsites / 1 two-Bedroom Cottage / Pioneer Campsite / Picnic Shelters
(as of January 31, 2012 - updates are posted on Tuesday)
See what SUWANNEE RIVER ECO-LODGE FACILITIES are available.
 NOTICE: Water levels fluctuate daily and are currently low. Call ahead for boating status updates.
This remote park is a primary entrance to the legendary Okefenokee Swamp -- one of Georgia's seven natural wonders. Spanish moss-laced trees reflect off the black swamp waters, while cypress knees rise upward from the glass-like surface. Here, paddlers and photographers will enjoy breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. Alligators, turtles, raccoons, black bears, deer, ibis, herons, wood storks, red-cockaded woodpeckers and numerous other creatures make their homes in the 402,000-acre refuge. Stargazers will appreciate the particularly dark sky.
Park staff offer guided boat tours, and same-day reservations are recommended. More adventurous visitors may wish to rent canoes, kayaks or jon boats for further exploration of the swamp, including a trip to historic Billy’s Island. Fishing in the lake is excellent, particularly for warmouth, bluegill, catfish, chain pickerel and bowfin. Boating is dependent upon water levels. Overnight guests may stay in a shaded campground or fully equipped cabins. Because the state park is located within a National Wildlife Refuge, gates lock at closing and a refuge fee is charged.
Perhaps the most famous inhabitant of the Okefenokee Swamp is the American Alligator. Officials estimate that 12,000 of the country’s largest reptile live within the 402,000-acre refuge. To safely view these creatures, visitors should admire them from a distance and keep hands and feet inside boats. Pets are not allowed in boats, even privately owned vessels. Children should not play near the water’s edge. Feeding any wildlife is prohibited. Following these guidelines will help visitors have a safe and entertaining experience in one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia.
At the park's Suwannee River Visitor Center in Fargo, visitors learn not only about the Okefenokee Swamp's ecosystem, but also how buildings can be made from recycled car parts. Located off Hwy. 441 at the Suwannee River bridge, the center mixes environmental education with engineering showmanship. Inside, visitors learn that tannic acid produced by decaying vegetation is what gives the river its tea color, and that unlike other reptiles, mother alligators actively care for their babies. A third of the building materials was made from recycled content, including a retaining wall made from old dashboards and electrical cables.
Because Stephen C. Foster State Park is located within a National Wildlife Refuge, gate lock at closing and a $5 refuge fee is charged.
Park Hours:
7AM-10PM (gate locks at closing; no late entry)
Office Hours:
Fall/Winter 8AM-5PM; Spring/Summer 7AM-6 PM
Suwannee River Center Hours:
8AM-5PM Wednesday-Sunday. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Access may be restricted after heavy rain. Call ahead to confirm hours.
GeorgiaStateParks.org/StephenCFoster
ACCOMMODATIONS & FACILITIES:
- 80 Acres
- 9 Cottages ($115-$125) -- #5 is dog friendly ($40 per dog, max 2)
- 64 Tent, Trailer, RV Campsites ($25-$30) - cable TV hookups, some areas closed seasonally
- Pioneer Campground ($50)
- 3 Picnic Shelters ($35-$45)
- Interpretive Center/Museum
- Suwannee River Eco-Lodge: -- (The Eco-Lodge has Wi-Fi accessibility and is located 18-miles from the park.)
- Conference Room (seats 100, $175)
- Meeting Room (seats 35, $100)
- Commercial Kitchen ($50, approved caterers only)
- BBQ Shelter ($25)
- Eco-Lodge Cottages:
#1 & 10 (sleep 8, $125)
#2, 3, 8, 9 (sleep 4, $100)
#5 & 6 - (efficiencies, sleep 2, $65)
(ADA cottages are #2, 5, 6, 9)
- Eco-Lodge Group Camp
Entire Eco-Lodge can be reserved for $800/night.
- Suwannee River Visitor Center
ACTIVITIES:
- Canoe, Kayak and Fishing Boat Rental - 25 miles of waterways, Park Paddlers Club, call ahead to confirm water levels
- Guided Pontoon Boat Tours ($8-$12) - depending on water levels, space is limited
- Boating - ramp, 10 horsepower limit
- Fishing
- Walking -- 1.5-mile Trembling Earth and 1.5-mile Pine Upland nature trails
- Birding
- Nature Photography
- Astronomy - exceptionally dark skies, astronomy programs
- Playground
- GeoCaching
 Watch our video on the swamp.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- Boating activities may be restricted during low water levels.
- The park is located 18 miles from Fargo and 50 miles from a major grocery store. Visitors should bring all supplies with them and have plenty of gasoline in their vehicle. The park office sells drinks, snacks, ice, books, gifts and t-shirts.
- Cell phone service may be unreliable.
- Late arrivals are not allowed due to NWR regulations. Gates lock at 10 p.m.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
SUPPORTERS:
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Make a reservation . . .
- 64 Campsites
- Reserve
- 9 Cottages
- Reserve
- 3 Picnic Shelters
- Reserve
- 1 Pioneer Camp
- Reserve
- 8 Eco-Lodge Cottages - Reserve
- 1 Eco-Lodge Conference Room - Reserve
- 1 Eco-Lodge Meeting Room - Reserve
- 1 Eco-Lodge Kitchen - call 1-800-864-7275
- 1 Eco-Lodge Group Camp - call 770-389-7401
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Events
The Great Backyard Bird Count
Friday, Feb 17, 2012 until Monday, Feb 20, 2012 12 PM to 12 PM
 Join us for a fun weekend of hikes, special boat tours, natural history videos, crafts and more. We'll be reporting our birds counts to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Beginners welcome! The park has a limited number of binoculars to loan out. $5 Refuge Parking Fee. (912) 637-5274. |
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Dark Sky Star Party
Saturday, Feb 25, 2012 6 PM
Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 7:30 PM
Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 7:30 PM
Friday, Apr 13, 2012 7:30 PM
Sunday, Apr 15, 2012 7:30 PM
| Without any light pollution, the Okefenokee Swamp is one of the best places in the Southeast to view stars and planets. Members of the Northeast Florida Observatory Foundation will bring high-powered telescopes so you'll get an exceptional view of our night sky. Register in advance. $3 plus $5 Refuge Fee. 912-637- 5274. |
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Full Moon Bike Ride Down Suwannee River Sill
Friday, Mar 9, 2012 8 PM to 9 PM
Friday, Apr 6, 2012 8 PM to 9 PM
Saturday, May 5, 2012 8 PM to 9 PM
 Bring your bike for this ranger-led ride under the full moon. Look for alligators eyes shining bright red. Listen to gators bellowing and to a chorus of frogs and toads. Look for snakes resting on the pavement still warm from the day. Listen for owls and watch bats overhead... (912) 637-5274. |
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Mothing in the Okefenokee
Saturday, Mar 10, 2012 7 PM to 8 PM
| Join a park ranger at our flagpole as we try to find out how many different types of moths we can attract. Learn different methods to attracting moths to start a new hobby at home. $5 Refuge Parking Fee. (912) 637-5274. |
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Sunset Tour on Billy's Lake
Saturday, Mar 17, 2012 7 PM to 9 PM
Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 7:15 PM to 9 PM
| Watch the sunset, listen to owls, see bats fly overhead and observe herons coming in to roost. Once the sun goes down, see the stars come out and catch a glimpse of our neighboring planets. We'll even look for alligator eyes to glow red. Call ahead to confirm details. $15 - $20 plus $5 Refuge Fee. 912-637-5274. |
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Mother's Day Oragami
Sunday, May 13, 2012 9 AM to 10 AM
| On Mother's Day, come to the Interpretive Center to make the special woman in your life a beautiful folded paper waterlily that she'll treasure forever. $5 Refuge Parking Fee. (912) 637-5274. |
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Make a Reservation