Okefenokee Swamp Park

It's probably true that the words soggy and wilderness don't exactly call to mind any kind of fantastic wonderland. But hold off on any final decisions until you've visited the Okefenokee Swamp Park.

Who would have thought a swamp could be so beautiful? And yet, the Okenfenokee Swamp Park - the most direct point of entry into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge since 1946 - is a place where marsh meets magnificent.

The world famous swamp, one and a half hours north of Jacksonville, FL, provides visitors with a peek into another world -- a world where serene water trails are used as inroads to view low-hanging jungles, marsh covered islands, darkly mysterious forests and picturesque prairies.

The swamp, which covers almost a half million acres, carries you back in time, since it is almost exactly as it was when this nation's first settlers stumbled upon it.

Nicknamed, "the land of the trembling earth," the swamp is home to animals like the Black Bear, the White-Tail Deer, Water Moccasin, aligators, otters, osprey, cranes and the Anhinga (a "water turkey"). In all, there are over 350 different species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians in the Okefenokee; including 34 different kinds of fish swimming in its waters.

There is also an abundance of unique trees, plants (even carnivorous plants which eat insects) and flowers such as the Swamp Iris, Red Choke Berry and Yellow Fringed Orchid.

Visitors can get up close and personal with the swamp through boat tours, canoe trips, walking trails, boardwalks and the "Lady Suwannee" Train tour (which includes a stop at Pioneer Island for a look at the recreated homestead and the Wildes Cabin Museum). The park also features a greenhouse, interpretive exhibits, lectures and wildlife shows, including the "Eye on Nature" program where visitors can get up close and personal with the natural habitat.

General admission ($12 adults, $11 children/seniors) includes the railroad tour, "Eye on Nature," boardwalks, exhibits, and wildlife habitat observatories. The ticket price does not include boat or canoe trips.

- by Christine Foster, Savannah Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Christine Foster

Christine is a freelance writer currently living in North Atlanta. She has worked as a reporter for numerous newspaper, magazine and online media companies, including the Florida Keys Keynoter and The Sunday Paper in Atlanta. When she's not working Christine enjoys baking and antiquing.