Stephen C. Foster State Park

08/17/2026

Beautiful moments and lasting memories are easy to find in the magic of the Okefenokee near sunset. Whether the glow of the golden hour before the sun begins to sink or the last light as night comes to the swamp amidst a chorus of frogs, there is a peace and beauty here all its own.

08/08/2026

The boat ramp has reopened! 🚤

The new boat basin is complete, and the boat ramp and boardwalk trails are once again open to visitors. We appreciate everyone’s patience during the construction and hope you enjoy the improvements! ❤️

Boat Tours will resume shortly and will be offered daily at 9 AM and 11 AM. Our 2 PM tours begin once the weather cools down.

If you bring your own boat, please remember to sign in and out on the launch sheet and abide by the current off-water time of 7 PM.

We currently have limited Motorboat Rentals available of 3-person capacity skiffs. We hope to have the 4-5 person jon boats running again soon.

Happy boating!

08/04/2026

It's International Owl Awareness Day!

Barred Owls are one of the most fascinating and evocative birds seen and heard throughout the Okefenokee. In fact, Monkey Lake on the southeastern part of the swamp was supposedly named because of the abundance of Barred Owls making their 'monkey-like' calls!

These owls were also called Deer Owls by some of the Swampers who lived here in the early 1900s because on nights when the owls were calling they said the deer would be out and the hunting would be good.

Owls have several amazing adaptations. They rely on their incredible eyesight and hearing to hunt at night. Their eyes are so large inside their head that they cannot move them, they can only look straight ahead. This means they move their entire head to look around. They also have some of the best hearing in the world. Many owls (including Barred Owls) have asymmetrical ears (one higher on their head and one lower), in order to pinpoint exactly where their prey is.

So celebrate these phenomenal birds today, and keep an ear out. You may hear the haunting "Who cooks for you?" call as the sun sets and their night begins.

08/01/2026

08/01/2026

We had another absolutely beautiful sunset paddle last night with some wonderful folks. They happily went out despite some light rain at the start and everyone had a great time. Two of them had driven 5 hours just for the paddle and the swamp did not disappoint. The peace and majesty of the Okefenokee is hard to beat. ❤

We're currently offering Sunset Paddles every Friday evening, weather permitting. You can call the visitor center to reserve a spot up to 7 days in advance.

07/29/2026

What a finale!

We had a wonderful visitor who joined us on a beautiful morning paddle tour through the swamp this weekend. When we returned Luke told us that we were his final park, he has now visited every State Park and Historic Site in Georgia!

We were honored to hear we are now one of his favorites.❤️ Congratulations to Luke on his awesome accomplishment! We hope you have many more awesome adventures soon.

07/25/2026

Okefenokee Swamp is a World Heritage Site!

The Okefenokee has been officially recognized as a site of "Outstanding Universal Value" to mankind. There are about 250 Natural World Heritage Sites. We are joining such places as The Grand Canyon, The Great Barrier Reef, and Redwoods National Park.

Recognition as a World Heritage Site does not affect ownership or management of the Refuge in any way, it is only an acknowledgement that our unique ecosystem, diversity, and beauty make us one of the most extraordinary natural places in the world. It honors our natural significance and importance for present and future generations.

As Jean Harper put in a letter to FDR urging for the creation of the Refuge:
“This marvelous wilderness; unique in its nature not only in this country, but in the world. The character of its flora, its fauna, and its human life unsurpassed”

07/20/2026

A morning paddle in the swamp brought the unexpected treat!

Thanks to a wonderful family that braved the summer heat to experience the swamp, we got to witness a rare and beautiful sight. As we were heading home we had the pleasure of watching a flock of about two dozen Swallow-tailed Kites. Some soared high into the sky while others swooped low over the water in pursuit of dragonflies, their aerial acrobatics on full display. They then landed in trees along the edge of Billy's Lake to preen and rest.

These magnificent raptors are often seen in the swamp from spring through fall, but we rarely see them in such large numbers and putting on such a show. It's yet another reminder that every trip into the Okefenokee holds new wonders waiting just around the bend.

07/08/2026

Today we're celebrating 72 years of Stephen C. Foster State Park.

In 1946, the refuge created the canal and boat basin on Jones Island for access in case of wildfires. In 1947 the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, wanting to increase visitors to the western side of the swamp, leased Jones Island to Okefenokee Recreation, Inc. who set up a fish camp here. It was called Camp Stephen Foster after the acclaimed songwriter.

They built a dormitory, concession stand, and 3 cabins. Over time they also acquired 45 boats. Several years of drought convinced the owners of the camp to sell its lease and holdings to the State of Georgia for a new state park.

State Senator Iris Blitch introduced the resolution in the Georgia Senate during the 1953 session. On July 8th 1954 the deal was finalized and Okefenokee Recreation transferred all their interests to the Georgia State Parks Division.

Many improvements have been made over time. The road from Fargo was paved, a campground was added, and later cottages and a boardwalk. Ranger-led boat tours became one of the signature activities at the park while classic traditions like fishing continued to be passed down through generations. The park was named an International Dark Sky Park in 2016, making it a premier stargazing destination in the Southeast.

Stephen C. Foster State Park has become a place for families and friends, adventurers and anglers, stargazers and nature lovers to visit and experience the heart of the Okefenokee Swamp for more than 70 years. Whatever your favorite activity, there are wonderful memories to waiting be made and we hope you'll be part of the next 72 years of Stephen C. Foster State Park.

07/03/2026

A late afternoon paddle can be a great way to see the swamp. The shadows start to lengthen and the light turns golden. You never know what you'll find around the bend.