Okefenokee Eastside outdoor activities, paddling and boating update

Okefenokee Eastside outdoor activities, paddling and boating update

Spring/Summer 08"

Eastside Paddler and Boater Scouting Report: Winter and Spring we received good rain and the swamp water levels are near normal but it could turn dry again in the future, although things are really looking up from a paddlers and a boaters perspective.

At the Okefenokee Swamp, water levels are determined by about 80 to 90 percent rainwater, which means an active hurricane season is vital as a source of primary rainwater recharge. This past year 2007 water levels had really dropped. The swamp needed some serious rain to help make paddling and boating happen again in a good way on many of the water trails. It seems we might this year be getting the necessary rain although, who knows what all of 2008 might bring.

Motorboating and Paddling had become dicey last year in many places along the eastside's waterways. Good amounts of rain have changed that. Some of the tough places where it should now be passable are; the last few miles of the prairie lakes trail, Cooter Lake Trail and the Cedar Hammock Trail and even the Air Boat (day use paddleboat) Trail should all now be passable especially after they ran the trailcutter out in most of those areas. Some parts of some paddle trails may still be a little tough going and a few other scattered really dicey spots might be harder to get through but probably not impossible. The toilet at the Coffee Bay day use shelter (aprox 5.7 miles on the orange trail) was destroyed in the fire so use the one at the 2 mile marker on the orange trail.

The east side is now again renting motorboats, as far as we know. The government contracted concessionaire is who offers the public rental motor boats (check with them on this matter). A smart traveler should contact a local source of current information before making any big motor boating or paddling plans. As time goes by, the conditions may actually change on a daily and/or weekly basis. Keep in mind the swamp's water level can drop dramatically during warm weather and/or periods without rain and it can rise incredibly fast with serious rainfall amounts at any time of year.

The daytime high afternoon temperatures are mostly warm but comfortable 70's-90's and are sometimes hot like up into the mid 90's and possibly even high 90's but most nights are dropping into the 60's to 70's meaning sometimes cooler early morning starts to make it some really great outdoor pastimes. At times, it is down right perfect for hiking, biking, paddling, boating or any activities on or around the water at Okefenokee.

Our amazing amigos the Alligators are around and given their adventurous nature & mobility making all water activities at Okefenokee the more interesting. If you are really lucky and here under just the right circumstances you might get to listen to or even see "alligators bellowing" a loud very eerie unusual somewhat unnerving low rumbling roar that can reverberate across the swamp only at particularly exciting times.

It is currently spring/summertime and that means it is the alligator mating season and a very interesting time to be around these big reptiles. Alligators lounge around in many different locations when it is cooler or sunny. These ancient reptiles tend to pull themselves up onto small clearings or out in the open areas throughout different parts of the swamp at different times of the year when it is sunny to warm themselves and gator nap unless it gets too warm or too windy or too cool. Gators might then like to head for some extra protection from the cool or warmth and sometimes seek the security of the deeper warmer or cooler sunny or shaded waters. It could even be out into the peat to bury themselves in at a favored spot in order to escape extreme weather conditions.

FISHING: Fishing in the swamp seems about average to slow right now but definitely it should be picking up with the warmer weather happening. Bowfin are swirling at the surface food sources and Jack fish are jumping into boats (it has happened too many times to me) and also jumping on surface lures, plus a few species of sunfish are being caught.

The overnight wilderness paddle trail system is in questionable shape as of this writing. Many of the trails may be closed due to or affected by the 2007 fire, check with U. S. Fish and Wildlife officials for the latest info on the wilderness overnight paddle trails.

The close at hand St. Mary's River that divides GA and FL can also be a great place to paddle near by us. It's a smaller and more intimate river but just as beautiful as the Suwannee River in FL or GA. Check our tourism page for more info on our paddling trips.

SUNSET & MOONLIGHT NIGHT TIME PADDLE TOURS: "PADDLE into the HEART of DARKNESS" We offer after dark guided kayak and canoe paddle trips into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on certain designated paddle trails or on the beautiful St Marys River. for more information, prices and reservations go to our tours page or call (912) 496-4472 during business hours and ask for Steve.

It is a precious experience to be on the water at night in the Okefenokee Swamp or the St Marys River. A waxing moon a few days before and during the full moon is an excellent time to experience the magic of a night time Okefenokee or River black water heart of darkness paddle or motorboat tour, treat yourself to a spectacular evening.

* SUNSET & MOONLIGHT "NIGHT TIME" MOTORBOAT TOURS of the OKEFENOKEE SWAMP and Saint Marys River.

SUNSET & MOONLIGHT NIGHT TIME MOTORBOAT TOURS: "Take a guided motorboat into the HEART of DARKNESS" We offer two after dark guided motorboat trips, one into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on certain designated water trails or the other on the spectacularly beautiful St Marys River. For more information, prices, and reservations go to the link above or call (912) 496-4472 during business hours and ask for Steve.

Alternative Overnight Options: consider the close by and beautiful St. Mary's River for a tour or maby an overnighter from Thompkins Landing to Traders Hill. If your interested in the river see outfitting page for more details and options. A daylight paddle adventure through Okefenokee is no problem before or after an overnight wilderness paddle trip down the Swamps' Atlantic Coast connection, the St. Mary's River. Try it you'll love it.