Water depth in the swamp is usually shallow, seldom greater than nine feet. Okefenokee water is clear but stained the color of dark tea by tannins produced by decaying vegetation. The water is pure enough to drink but this is not advised in areas used by people. The Okefenokee is crisscrossed by many canoe trails, over 120 miles of trails. It is a major paddlers' destination, with a controlled number of overnight wilderness permits issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Winter followed by summer are the slower seasons.
Summer poses the most challenging time of year to be in the Swamp with heat and insects being the toughest adversaries. The Eastern Entrance to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the headquarters and a great place to get the most out of your visit to Okefenokee. All three entrances are very worthwhile, and have something unique to add to an Okefenokee Experience. Geographically and in most other ways the East Entrance to the Swamp is tough to beat. It is a great base camp location for access to the interior waterways of the Swamp by canoe, kayak, motor boat, and tour boat.