I'm starting to plan a trip down to Disney and will be traveling down 95. I was going to make a stop around Jacksonville Fl at a KOA but came up with the idea of possibly staying somewhere around Waycross GA to see the Okefenokee swamp. Any campgrounds in the area? I guess I could stay at the KOA and then go up to the swamp park but it looks like its about 65 miles backtracking. I figure I could jump off 95, stay somewhere around the park, then get back on 95 and head south. BTW, it would be 2 fifth wheels; one being 35', the other 40' and I would need full hookups along with easy access. Also there will be young kids coming so a playground would be nice. Thanks for any help
Aaron
Mindy
Nathaniel (5 yrs old)
Cadence (3 yrs old)
2005 F550 old puller (still used on the farm)
2010 Dodge 3500 (new puller)
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Walkabout campground near Woodbine,Ga is very convenient to the swamp, I think it is at exit 7. We stayed there 2 years ago and it is just a short drive to the swamp, the boat tour is very good.
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We stopped for the night at Laura Walker State Park and liked it so much that we ended up staying almost a week. There are boat tours of the swamp near by.
Stephen Foster SP near Fargo in Ga is IN the Okeefonokee swamp and is a unique glimpse into a primordial world and is the best place to see it IMO. It is pretty much non commercial on that side but boat tours and rentals are available. The downside is it is in an out of the way remote area. Laura Walker SP near Waycross is basically across the street from another entrance of the swamp that is run by a commercial enterprise and has the typical tourist type attractions. Either will work to get a look at a unique and enchanting place. My favorite entrance is near Folkston and is called the Suwanee canal recreation area and is part of a Federal wildlife preserve but I have no details on camping in that area. Do take the opportunity to see one of the geological treasures of the deep south.
If you are traveling down I95, going to the east entrance to the swamp would be less out of the way. You'd take Exit 3 and head west on Rt. 40. There are a couple campgrounds near the east entrance. Okefenokee Pastimes is right across from the entrance. They have some strange rules, but otherwise seems like a decent place. There is also Traders Hill campground about 5 miles from the entrance (on your way to the swamp).
-Michael
Michael Girardo :: michael@ecxc.com
2009 Jayco Greyhawk 31FS Class C Motorhome
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I have been to Stephen foster state park... it is great! however, from 95 it will take you well over and hour to get over there (it is on the west side of the Okefenokee and you have to drive completely around).
Laura Walker State park is about 30-40 min off I-95. Georgia Exit 29 and take highway 82 west towards waycross.
Thanks guys for the responses. We're just now in the process of planning for a spring time trip next yr. We were at the Okefenokee Swamp Park a few yrs back and want to take the kids there. Thanks again.
aarondeere wrote: I'm starting to plan a trip down to Disney and will be traveling down 95. I was going to make a stop around Jacksonville Fl at a KOA but came up with the idea of possibly staying somewhere around Waycross GA to see the Okefenokee swamp. Any campgrounds in the area? I guess I could stay at the KOA and then go up to the swamp park but it looks like its about 65 miles backtracking. I figure I could jump off 95, stay somewhere around the park, then get back on 95 and head south. BTW, it would be 2 fifth wheels; one being 35', the other 40' and I would need full hookups along with easy access. Also there will be young kids coming so a playground would be nice. Thanks for any help
The campgrounds closest to the park have already been mentioned. Although I do not think Laura Walker State Park has full hookups, water/electric and dump station if I remember correctly.
We have stayed in the Kingsland area (FL exit 1 to GA exit 6) several times and visited Okefenokee from there. The Okefenokee Swamp Park South of Waycross off of US-1 is around 60 miles or a little less depending on exactly where you start. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge South of Folkston is 35-40 miles. Although you do go through some small towns, most of the way to either is good highway (even some 4 lane sections) with little traffic. If you want to visit more than one place from that stop, Cumberland Island National Seashore is close by. The Kingsland/St. Marys area has a Wynn Dixie, Publix, Super Walmart, Big K, Lowes and Home Depot if you need to stockup before hitting the higher cost area of Orlando. Also significantly lower fuel costs than Florida. The Walmart has a Murphy Station that sells diesel, but it is really tight pulling a trailer.
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