This is a week long trip I'm doing and ya'll can hop on/off when you want. You'll need to make your own room/camping reservations and we'll meet up for paddles, eating, social time, whatever. Just keep in touch with me and let me know when you're coming/I can expect you.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge covers > 350,000 acres of wetland, forest and swamp, providing habitat for threatened and endangered species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and wood stork, along with a wide variety of other wildlife most notably the American Alligator. There are 3 entrances into the refuge and they each have their own perspective of the refuge. Two of them will require an entrance fee: Stephen Foster St. Park on the west side and the NWR entrance on the East side. If you have a Fed. Parks pass that will get you in for free or discount. The third entrance is a local boat ramp, I don't think there'll be a fee there, but be prepared for an honor system. Link:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee/map & https://okeswamp.org/
Givhans Ferry State Park in SC is on the Edisto River and has walk-in campsites on sand WITH water and electric at each site!!! I am in site 30. Office has a cart to haul your stuff in with! How great is all that!!! I would make your camping reservations soon as there are only 3 walk-in sites left today. I am there for 4 nights-very affordable too. Here is their link:
https://southcarolinaparks.com/givhans-ferry/lodging
Waycross GA is a town just North of the swamp, so that's why I chose to stay there. Each day we can drive to another put-in. I am staying at the Super 8 Motel in Waycross and there's plenty of restaurants/shopping for food there. Link: wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/waycross-georgia/super-8-waycross-ga
My itinerary is:
3/22 - drive and arrive at room in Waycross GA late afternoon, get into
room then drive to Stephen Foster St. Park for Star Gazing event
3/23 - Paddle swamp from one of three entrances, West, NE, or East with lunch, eat dinner out with group at desired agreed upon place
3/24 - Paddle swamp from different location, repeat eating out together
3/25 - Paddle swamp from different location, repeat social time
3/26 - Leave Waycross, drive to Givhans Ferry State Park, SC, set up camp
Talk with others about what section to paddle first, assess weather.
3/27 - paddle Edisto River Section or other Rivers of The Ace Basin
3/27-29 Paddle any River as weather allows or go into Charleston for rain
day activities.
3/30 - Leave Camp ground by 12 noon and head home.
Water temps in Swamp are probably in mid-high 60s this time of year and changeable! . Please have cold weather gear to wear with you for both locations.
Required: PFD and cold water dry/wet suits, whistle.
Suggested: lunch, water, sunscreen, hat.
So that's what I've got planned! I hope you'll want to join me on this week of adventure! Call me with questions 919-357-2767
Edisto River LInks: https://ercktrail.org/