Camping in the Okefenokee Swamp

For those that are here looking for tips lets get right to it ----- (those looking to hear about our adventure I will get to that also but look more toward the bottom)

So you want to camp in the Okefenokee Swamp?!

Have you lost your mind? Just kidding! It is such a magical experience!

Step 1: Figure out where you want to camp. I think there are 7 platforms/shelters to choose from... Check out this for site details. I have cropped down a map below for you to view but definitely click the link to see full details of the shelters and the options.

From our experience we could not find ALL the information on one website. We seemed to need to jump around to figure out where to stay. The above link was helpful but we felt this website was the most useful for deciding what shelter was best for us.

Step 2: Get a Camping Permit ( Link Here ) or from the website, "For help with an itinerary or questions about current trail conditions, please call the Permit Reservation Line Tuesdays-Thursdays from 7:00 A.M.- 10:00 A.M. EST."

Step 3: Get packing!

Another great resource site --> Click Here

My Trip Is Booked Now What? --> What to pack

I put this list together after returning from our trip and think I listed what we found to be most useful.... and some of these are duh items (meaning well duh of course we need that).

AND I FORGOT TO LIST FLASHLIGHTS!! We took headlamps and two small lanterns.

We went in March when it was warm during the day and then dropped to the 40's at night. So if you go during that time be sure to take some warm stuff to! The only thing I did not put on this list that we enjoyed taking was a small FM radio. We enjoyed laying in the hammocks and listening to music while watching the sunset. The shelter does have a porta-potty style bathroom but be sure you pack toilet paper! We packed baby wipes to use for washing our hands and our face.

Now About Our Trip....

For Maddie's 11th Birthday Dustin and Maddie came up with the great idea of camping in the Okefenokee Swamp. I admit I was not as excited about it as they were. I prefer to camper camp (hence Miranda the Avion) not tent camp. Especially not tent camp in the middle of a swamp.

Let me tell you this ended up being a trip we will never forget!

We were set to paddle out on March 13. The rule is you have to be in the water no later than 10am - this is to ensure you make it to your platform before dark. As of 9 am it was pouring rain!

We had all agreed if it was raining we would not go, but Dustin wanted to drive out to the boat ramp anyway to check the weather.

Spoiler Alert - It was raining there to!

In my mind we weren't going. I sat in the truck while Maddie and Dustin walked down to the water IN THE RAIN. Next thing I know Dustin is unloading the boat.

Wait..... it's raining...... ok..... drizzling..... to which Dustin says, "It's Florida. It always rains then lets up." A look at the radar made me think he was wrong but all for one and one for all.

Did I mention the site Dustin booked was an 8 mile trip?

Are we avid kayakers?....... NO

Am I in-shape enough to paddle 8 miles? ....... I had my doubts.

But at 9:45am on March 13 I found myself in the water, paddling in the rain and really questioning my life choices.

It was supposed to be in the 40's that night so I worried about us getting wet and then being cold. The shelter we were staying at was on a platform in the swamp so no fires.

I knew this was going to be a trip we would never forget. And I know myself well enough to know that once I was out there I would enjoy myself.

Thank goodness Dustin is good at pushing me out of my comfort zone! I mean look at the smile on that kids face! We made memories she will never forget.

Paddling in the wind was at our back so it didn't seem to bad. We would stop paddling along the way to enjoy the swamp and look at stuff. The wind would keep us slowly moving toward our destination.

The rain did let up and we quickly dried. We took turns paddling and eating our sandwiches when lunch time rolled around. We spotted 2 gators on the way in and so much beautiful scenery!

The sun came out. We took our time and fished a little a long the way.

And then we finally reached our shelter - Bluff Lake.

Once the hammocks were up I enjoyed laying back and reading my book while Dustin and Maddie fished. They caught several fish and released them back into the swamp.

After dinner we enjoyed a beautiful sunset and then we sat at the picnic table and played several games of cards. We packed regular playing cards, Uno, and Clue (the card game). We played these by lantern light while sitting around the Thermacell. Now it being March the bugs were not to bad. I could not imagine going during the summer!

The thing about Bluff Lake was everyone said how great it was to see the stars. And it was a beautiful place to see the stars..... but I don't think it was any better than from our home in North Georgia. That said if you live somewhere you can't see the stars good - be sure to look up and admire them from Bluff Lake they are breathtaking!

The one thing we all agreed we would change was to take better sleeping pads next time. We shared one tent and in that tent we had two sleeping pads down. These things were way to thin which made for a ruff nights so sleep. But hey it's camping!

Laying in the dark we listened to the bull frogs talk back and forth. We heard an owl and in the middle of the night we did hear the distant train.

The morning sunrise was just as beautiful as the sunset. This was what Maddie had wanted. To wake up on her birthday in the Okefenokee swamp. And seeing her smile that morning made it all worth while!

Now paddling out. Man that was a different beast! The wind was 8mph, according to the weather channel app, and it was not our back! Dustin and I would be paddling full strength and the wind pushing us sideways. Paddling against the wind was definitely more difficult. There was no sightseeing on the way out because if we stopped paddling we would be pushed backward. However it was still a beautiful journey!