suwanee canal recreation area

Unfortunately, a forest fire wiped out much of the canopy a few years ago, which we didn't know about until we visited in July 2014. The facility and staff are just fine, no complaints, reasonable prices on canoes and small boats, and plenty of wildlife, including three or four billion alligators. Most of the other visitors were local fishermen, very friendly and talkative, especially if you are wearing a UGA hat. The loss of the swamp canopy not only affects the beauty of the place, but also means a lack of shade while boating around in July. If we return to the Swamp in the next 10 years, it will be to Stephen Foster Park on the other side of the swamp that seems to have all the same amenities but hasn't been ravaged by forest fire. The highlight for me was the old Chesser Island homestead, it was absolutely fascinating if you are in to that sort of thing. I recommend driving by to see it. If you are into any sort of survivalism or "prepping", take a walk back in time to see how these people did it when it was just called "Normal Life". I would not rent a canoe again... the level of intimacy with the many large alligators is very unnerving. If I return, I would be renting one of the jon boats and carrying a gun. I'd rather have a court date than a funeral date.I hope the trees grow back fast and the swamp canopy fills out soon, because this access point is the most convenient from the Georgia coast. One last tip..... don't trust your iPhone navigator coming out of Folkston....

After taking the boat tour with Okefenokee Adventures (which I highly recommend), we first stopped at the visitors center. Definitely one of the better ones I have seen in national parks and recreation areas. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. We then drove along the short loop that takes you to the Chesser property. Here you can walk through building typical for swamp dwellers in the last century. What was great was that unlike most similar places here you can actually touch everything. We also saw a mother gator with a bunch of babies in one of the ponds along the road. I am sure this is a great place to hike but we didn't took advantage of that opportunity

This includes a short paved trail, perhaps 0.5 mile one-way leading beside the Suwanee Canal. The area also includes the Okefenokee Adventures from which tours, e.g., boat tours and boat rentals can be had, and the NPS Visitor Center which provides information and maps to visitors. There are other short trails in the area.

This was my exposure to Spanish Moss and Cypress trees. To lessons about history not being what I imagined, and to beautiful nature. What a wonderful stop!PaulaAtlanta, GABlog: Americana the Beautifulwww.americanathebeautiful.wordpress.comTwitter: @AmericanaBtiful