It is one of the oldest and best-preserved freshwater areas in America. This tremendous bog of wetlands includes in its unique wilderness watery forests, open prairies, huge cypress trees, and lush vegetation. It teems with wildlife in its natural habitat, safeguarded for survival and for our appreciation and attempt at ecological understanding. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1937 and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, presently encompasses 396,000 acres, most designated as a National Wilderness Area.
Summer is unbearably hot and muggy.
Only a small portion is accessible by bicycle or, for that matter, by automobile. The 32-mile tour begins at the Folkston Train Depot a workout ride leading up to a magnificent wildlife trail. Cycling the Swamp Park Road allows easy exploration of several trails, including a boardwalk and observation tower over the swamp. A visit to the Chesser Island Homestead is a glimpse of the now-vanished culture of swamp life. See map .