Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The trails at the Okefenokee refuge’s east entrance near Folkston are short and flat, so you can string several together in an afternoon. The star is the Chesser Island Boardwalk, which runs out over the open swamp to a 40-foot observation tower.
All of these trails start from Swamp Island Drive in the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area. Bikes are not allowed on the hiking trails, and pets must stay on a leash and are not allowed on the boardwalks because of alligators.
Trails at the East Entrance
Chesser Island Boardwalk
0.75 mile each way. The refuge’s most popular walk, crossing several swamp habitats to an observation tower you reach by stairs. No pets.
Cane Pole Trail
0.35 mile each way. A paved and boardwalk trail along the historic Suwannee Canal with benches along the way; the most accessible trail here.
Chesser Homestead Trail
0.7-mile loop. A packed-sand loop around Chesser Island past the restored swamper homestead and its swept white-sand yard.
Ridley’s Island Boardwalk
0.16 mile each way. A short spur boardwalk off the Homestead Trail. No pets.
Deerstand Trail
0.5 mile each way. Links the homestead with the Chesser Island Boardwalk through pine and oak woods. It can be wet or flooded after heavy rain.
Upland Discovery Trail
0.25-mile loop. Longleaf pine uplands with many red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees; the ground is packed but uneven.
Canal Diggers Trail
Short loop. A hilly little loop along the old canal diggings, with some changes in elevation and footing.
Before you go: The refuge charges $5 per vehicle per day. The east entrance opens a half hour before sunrise and closes at 7:30 p.m. March through October and 5:30 p.m. November through February. Trails can close after storms or during burns, so call the visitor center at 912-496-7836.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 2700 Suwannee Canal Rd., Folkston, GA 31537.
More Okefenokee Guides
Sources we checked
Facts in this guide were checked in September 2026 against the agencies and operators that run these places:
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Okefenokee hiking – trails, lengths and pet rules
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Okefenokee visit – hours and fees
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