Photo: Tabetha Moe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Formerly Stephen C. Foster State Park, this 120-acre park was renamed Okefenokee State Park on September 1, 2026. It is the western entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Georgia State Parks’ only International Dark Sky Park, and one of the most intriguing places in Georgia. Moss-laced cypress trees reflect off the black swamp waters, providing breathtaking scenery.
New name and cottage construction (2026): Georgia State Parks renamed Stephen C. Foster State Park as Okefenokee State Park on September 1, 2026, to reflect its role as the western entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is building 10 new cottages and is not taking cottage reservations yet; the Suwannee River Eco-Lodge cabins, 18 miles away, remain open. Boat tours are limited and motorboat rentals are not available. Check gastateparks.org/Okefenokee before you go.
- Address17515 Hwy 177, Fargo, GA 31631
- Office Hours8am–5pm
- Park Hours7am–10pm (gates close at 10pm; refuge rules apply)
- Parking Fee$10 per vehicle (ParkPass)
- Park Phone912-637-5274
- Campsite & Shelter Reservations1-800-864-7275
- GPS CoordinatesN 30.826950, W -82.362100
Driving directions: Located 18 miles northeast of Fargo via GA Hwy 177.
Okefenokee State Park Map
This is the Georgia State Parks map of Stephen C. Foster State Park (now Okefenokee State Park) from 2008, kept in our archive. It shows the park’s roads and main facilities as they were laid out then, so newer buildings, campsites, trails and closures will not appear on it. Before you go, check the current maps below.
Current maps:
- Okefenokee State Park official park map (PDF) from Georgia State Parks
- Okefenokee State Park official day-use map (PDF) from Georgia State Parks
- Official Okefenokee State Park page for hours, fees and current closures
Park Amenities
- 52 tent, RV & trailer campsites
- 1 pioneer campground
- 8 Eco-Lodge cottages, sleep 2–8 (ADA available)
- 10 new cottages under construction
- Eco-Lodge conference room, meeting room, BBQ shelter, kitchen & group camp
- 3 picnic shelters
- Playground
- Suwannee River Visitor Center
- Canoe, kayak & fishing boat rental
- 25 miles of waterways, Park Paddlers Club
- Located within a National Wildlife Refuge
- Boat ramp & dock
- Evening boat tours (fee, 5-person minimum)
- Guided pontoon boat tours, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. (fee)
- Private boats allowed (10 HP motor limit)
- Bike rental
- 1.5-mile Trembling Earth Nature Trail
- Astronomy programs, exceptionally dark skies (8″ & 18″ Dobsonian telescopes)
- GeoCaching
The Eco-Lodge is Wi-Fi accessible and located 18 miles from the park.
Wildlife
Visitors can look for alligators, turtles, raccoon, black bear, deer, birds and numerous other creatures while on the park’s elevated boardwalk trail or on a guided boat trip. Note: insect repellent will be needed, and gates are locked at closing.
Camping & Cottages
50-Foot+ Campsites
Holds 1 tent, 2 tents, a pop-up trailer, or a trailer/motorhome 50 feet or longer. Water, 30-amp electric, cable hookup, picnic table, grill and fire ring. Comfort station with washer/dryer. Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per site.
Pioneer Campsite
A primitive, rugged site for groups only, 10-person minimum, hike-in campers only – no vehicles allowed on the campsite (parking is next to the site). Located by itself, with water but no electricity.
Cottages
The park is building 10 new cottages and is not taking cottage reservations yet. For a cabin now, book the Suwannee River Eco-Lodge, 18 miles from the park.
Photos
AlligatorsYoung gators sunning in the swamp
Trembling Earth TrailBoardwalk into the Okefenokee
Canoe & Kayak Rental25 miles of swamp waterways
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Tabetha Moe, CC BY-SA 4.0; Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 3.0; Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Picnic Shelters
All visitors are required to have a refuge pass.
Picnic Shelter #1
Open-sided covered shelter, the closest shelter to the museum. ADA accessible. Water, electricity, picnic tables and grills.
Picnic Shelters #2 & #3
Open-sided covered shelters, each with water, electricity, picnic tables and grills.
Reservations & Cancellation Policy
Cancellation of a reservation must be made at least 3 days prior to arrival to receive a refund; a cancellation/handling fee per reservation will be charged. Changing your arrival date less than 3 days before the scheduled arrival counts as a cancellation and forfeits the deposit.
7–14 Day Cottage Reservations: Cancellations 30+ days in advance receive a deposit refund minus a cancellation fee. Cancelling less than 30 days but before 72 hours of arrival: request a refund in writing; if the cottage is rebooked for the original dates, you’ll receive a full refund minus the cancellation fee. Cancelling within 72 hours of arrival forfeits the one-night deposit. Deposits are required for all reservations and are posted when the reservation is made.
Check-In/Check-Out: Check-in is between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.; check-out is before 1 p.m. Campers must register and present a reservation confirmation before setting up. Not arriving on the first night of your stay counts as a no-show – your reservation is cancelled and the deposit forfeited.
Reservation Changes: One change is allowed at no charge with 3 days’ notice; additional changes incur a per-reservation handling fee.