5 Things You Should Know Before Paddling the Okefenokee Swamp
The Okefenokee (meaning, ‘Land of the Trembling Earth’) Wildlife Refuge is one of the world’s largest intact freshwater ecosystems and features over 120 miles of wilderness paddle trails. It is one of our favorite paddle destinations because of the up-close view its trails offer of endangered and protected plant and animal species. Traveling this wild waterway requires special planning, however. Here are our five top tips:
Schedule in advance! Backcountry campsites are few and far between and must be reserved up to two months prior to your visit. Book your camping permits at the earliest opportunity.
Keep an eye on the water levels. Some channels become impassible during drought and you may need to change your campsite reservations.
Prepare for mosquitoes and no-see-ems. Avoid peak bug season if possible. Choose campsites where you’ll be able to catch a breeze. The best bug protection is loose, breathable clothing that fully covers your body.
Bring tools to bomb-proof your chickee. You won’t be able to stake your tents on the sleeping platforms (also called ‘chickees’), so bring some cord to tie down your shelter and keep it from blowing into the swamp. Hammocks work well to hold loose gear items, or you can clip gear items onto a rope with a carabiner to keep them from falling or blowing into the drink. No one wants to go diving into murky snake-infested waters to retrieve a piece of gear!
Gators are not out to get you. Just like any other animal, their main goals are to feed themselves and protect their own. Don’t feed them and don’t aggravate them, and you’ll be just fine.
