Wildlife Viewing Guide
|
|
Wildlife Viewing Guide |
|
Stephen
C. Foster State Park
Description: Stephen C. Foster State Park is an 80-acre state facility located in the heart of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The park is known as the western access to the 396,000-acre wildlife refuge. The habitats surrounding the park are cypress swamp and pine flatland. Special features of this environment include tannic "black" waters, headwaters of the Suwannee River, and the unstable peat masses floating on top of the water that give the Okefenokee its name, "Land of the Trembling Earth." One can observe the swamp's plant succession from open lake to mature forest, stands of baldcypress and pond cypress trees, and the animal life these areas support, from American alligators to black bears.
Viewing Information: Visitors have access to 25 miles of navigable waterway by renting motor boats or canoes or by launching their own water craft. The interpretive staff conducts three guided boat tours through the swamp every day except Christmas. Viewing the swamp is limited only by inclement weather or extremely low water which would prevent boats from reaching the water, a rare occurrence. Canoe launch and boat ramps are available. See Okefenokee NWR for potential wildlife encounters.
Directions: From Fargo, follow GA Hwy. 94 east across the Suwannee River and turn left on GA Hwy. 177. Travel north 17 miles to park entrance.
Management: Georgia DNR, Parks and Historic Sites Division, 912-637-5274 (park office)
Closest Town: Fargo, GA
Site Notes: tours, interpretive programs
Additional Information: See also: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, Okefenokee Swamp Park.
Read and add comments about this page