Last updated October 28, 2026
Paddling the Okefenokee feels like going back in time. The water is so dark and still it turns into a mirror, the cypress trees drip with Spanish moss, and alligators slide off the banks as you glide past. It's one of the wildest places in Georgia, and in July 2026 it became the state's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The easiest way to get out on the water is to rent a kayak at the east entrance near Folkston and paddle the Suwannee Canal on your own. We paddled about 3 to 4 miles out and back in around two hours. This guide covers how to do it, what you'll see, how to stay safe around alligators, fees and hours, and the mistakes to avoid.
Paddling the Suwannee Canal between walls of moss-draped cypress.
Okefenokee Kayaking at a Glance
Where: Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, the east entrance of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 4159 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA 31537
Entrance fee: $5 per vehicle, good for seven days, or $15 for an annual refuge pass
Rentals: Kayaks, canoes and Jon boats from Okefenokee Adventures, right at the launch
Hours: From a half hour before sunrise to 7:30 p.m. March through October, with boats off the water by 6 p.m. In winter the refuge closes at 5:30 p.m. and boats come off by 4 p.m.
My paddle: About 3 to 4 miles round trip in roughly two hours, self-guided
Difficulty: Easy. The canal is flat, calm and hard to get lost on.
Best for: Beginners, wildlife lovers, photographers and anyone who wants to see a real swamp up close
Drive time: About an hour from Jacksonville, around two hours from Savannah and about five hours from Atlanta
Renting a Kayak and Getting on the Water
Okefenokee Adventures is the refuge's official outfitter, and it's right by the boat launch. They rent kayaks, canoes, Jon boats and bikes, sell refuge passes and run guided boat tours. There's also a small café and gift shop, which is handy since there's not much else nearby.
We rented kayaks and paddled on our own. You'll need a refuge pass, which you can buy at the entrance or from Okefenokee Adventures. Then pick up your boats and launch right into the canal. Sign in at the launch before you go, and sign back out when you return.
If you'd rather not paddle, the 90-minute guided boat tour covers the same canal with a guide pointing out wildlife. It's a good option for families or a first visit.
Paddling the Suwannee Canal
The Suwannee Canal is a long, straight channel cutting west into the swamp, so navigation is easy. You paddle out as far as you want and turn around. The water is dark from tannins, like strong tea, and on a calm day it reflects the sky and the trees so perfectly it's hard to tell where the bank ends.
Cypress trees reflected in the tea-colored water.
The canal is lined with cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, with thick shrubs and grasses along the edges. Every so often the trees open up and you get a wide view across the water to tall pines and cypress standing out against the sky.
Spanish moss hanging from the cypress along the canal.
The canal has an interesting history. In 1891, the Suwannee Canal Company started digging it to drain the swamp for logging and farming. Crews dug about 11.5 miles into the Okefenokee before giving up in 1894, when the plan failed and the company went broke. The swamp won, and the canal they left behind is now the main paddling route into the refuge from the east side.
On a calm morning the blackwater turns into a mirror.
Seeing Alligators in the Okefenokee
You will almost certainly see alligators, and probably a lot of them. They sun themselves on the banks, float with just their eyes above the water and sometimes slip into the canal as you paddle by. We passed one resting in the grass right at the edge of the water, close enough for a great photo.
An alligator resting in the grass at the edge of the canal.
Alligators here are used to boats and generally keep to themselves, but they're wild animals. Here's how to stay safe:
Keep your distance. The refuge asks you to stay at least 20 feet away. Use your zoom instead of paddling closer.
Don't feed them, ever. It's illegal, and it teaches them to approach people.
Keep your hands and feet in the boat. Swimming, wading and paddleboards aren't allowed in the refuge.
Give them space to move. If one is in the middle of the canal, wait or pass slowly along the far side.
Think twice about fishing. I brought a rod but left it alone. Gators get bold around people fishing, since they learn to go after hooked fish, and I didn't want to give them a reason to come closer.
A wide stretch of the Suwannee Canal.
Other Things to Do at the East Entrance
If you have more time, the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area has plenty more to see.
Guided boat tours: 90-minute tours with Okefenokee Adventures, plus sunset and specialty trips
Chesser Island Boardwalk: About 0.75 miles one way through the swamp to the 40-foot Owls Roost Tower overlooking the prairie
Swamp Island Drive: A 7.2-mile paved auto tour you can drive or bike, with stops along the way
Chesser Island Homestead: A preserved swamp homestead where the Chesser family lived starting in the 1850s
Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center: A short film, exhibits, restrooms and water refills. It's closed Sundays and Mondays.
Moss-draped cypress reflected in the swamp.
When to Kayak the Okefenokee
Spring: I went in late April, and the trees were bright green, the sky was full of big clouds and the gators were out sunning. It's warm but not yet brutal.
Fall and winter: Cooler and more comfortable to paddle, with fewer bugs. Alligators are less active when it's cold, and the refuge closes earlier.
Summer: Hot, humid and buggy, with afternoon storms. Go first thing in the morning and get off the water before the heat peaks.
Mornings are the calmest time on the water, which means better reflections and more wildlife.
Our group paddling the canal under a big April sky.
Mistakes to Avoid
Getting too close to alligators. Stay at least 20 feet away and never feed them.
Starting too late. Boats have to be off the water well before the refuge closes, as early as 4 p.m. in winter.
Skipping bug spray and sunscreen. There's little shade on parts of the canal, and the bugs can be intense in warm months.
Bringing your dog. Pets aren't allowed in boats, on the boardwalk or in buildings.
Forgetting water and snacks. There's nowhere to stop once you're out in the canal.
Leaving valuables loose in the boat. Use a dry bag for your phone and keys in case of a tip or a splash.
How to Get to the Okefenokee East Entrance
The Suwannee Canal Recreation Area is about 11 miles southwest of Folkston in southeast Georgia. Put "Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Suwannee Canal Recreation Area" or 4159 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA into your map. It's about an hour from Jacksonville, around two hours from Savannah and about five hours from Atlanta, so it pairs well with a weekend on the coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you kayak in the Okefenokee Swamp?
Yes. You can rent kayaks and canoes at the east entrance near Folkston and paddle the Suwannee Canal on your own, or bring your own boat.
Is it safe to kayak with alligators in the Okefenokee?
Yes, if you're careful. Alligators there are used to boats. Keep at least 20 feet away, never feed them, keep your hands and feet in the boat and don't swim.
How much does it cost to visit the Okefenokee?
The refuge entrance fee is $5 per vehicle for seven days, or $15 for an annual pass. Kayak rentals and boat tours are extra through Okefenokee Adventures.
How long does it take to kayak the Suwannee Canal?
You can paddle as far as you like and turn around. We did about 3 to 4 miles round trip in around two hours.
Do you need a guide to kayak the Okefenokee?
No. The Suwannee Canal is easy to follow, so you can paddle on your own. Guided boat tours are available if you'd rather not paddle.
Can you fish in the Okefenokee?
Fishing is allowed in parts of the refuge with a Georgia fishing license, but alligators can get bold around people fishing, so be careful.
Is the Okefenokee a World Heritage Site?
Yes. UNESCO added the Okefenokee to its World Heritage List in July 2026, making it Georgia's first World Heritage Site.
Make It a Full Weekend
The Okefenokee pairs well with the Georgia coast. My Cumberland Island guide covers the wild horses and beaches about an hour away. For more trips, use Find a Trip to filter every guide by region, drive time and difficulty. More of the coast in Coastal Georgia.
Want to explore with a group? The Explore Georgia Hiking Club runs free group outings around Georgia, and every pace is welcome.