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Okefenokee State Park, photo 1 of 4

Photo: Tabetha Moe (TabethaLynn) / CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Lakes & rivers

Okefenokee State Park

Fargo, GA · Southeast Georgia$10 ParkPass per vehicle, plus a $5 refuge fee

About

Okefenokee State Park, called Stephen C. Foster State Park until 2026, is the western entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, near Fargo. Billy's Island is about 2 miles from the boat ramp and reachable only by water, and a 1-mile loop from its dock passes a Weeden Island Culture mound and a small pioneer cemetery. Canoes and kayaks rent from the dock on Jones Island without a reservation, but the 90-minute guided boat tours need a call, up to a week ahead. All of it depends on the water level. In late summer the Milky Way shows over the open parking lot across from the Trading Post. The gates lock at 10 p.m., because the park is inside the refuge.

Highlights

Western entrance to the Okefenokee refugeInternational Dark Sky ParkBoardwalk over 3,000 feet long90-minute guided boat toursCanoe and kayak rentals

Getting there

17515 Highway 177, Fargo, GA 31631

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Georgia State Parks18 places

Georgia State Parks

Most people know Georgia's state parks by the mountain ones. This list keeps going south almost to the Florida line, and a couple of the best are down there.