Update 2023-11-18: Pictures: Arriving Floyd’s Island, Okefenokee Swamp 2023-11-04.
Update 2023-09-06:
The park limits reservations on Floyd’s Island to 20 people.
To reserve your spot, RSVP on the meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/withlacoochee-alapaha-suwannee-rivers-wwals-outings/events/295388408/
You will also need to pay for your 20th of the reservation fee through the eventbrite ticket you will find on the meetup.
Update 2023-09-05: Floyd’s Island is reserved for WWALS for this outing.
Update 2023-08-14: SCFSP campsite is closed for renovations from November 1, 2023, until January 2025. But you can still pre-camp at Griffis Fish Camp if you reserve early.
Join us (pending a reservation for the island) to paddle 9 miles upstream in the Okefenokee for primitive camping on Floyd’s Island, which is the most remote place in Georgia: the farthest from any road, with very dark sky.
This primitive campout is a remote wilderness experience in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, appropriate for any level but be sure that you’re comfortable paddling your loaded kayak 9 miles against a current to get to the island. There is only one rest stop on the trail, Minnie’s Lake Platform at the 4 mile mark.
Coming back on Sunday the current will be with us all the way, making for an easy trip out on the most scenic trail in the swamp with plenty of wildlife viewing.
There is a portapotty at Minnie’s Lake and another at Floyd’s Island. No potable water, bring everything you need for two days. There is plenty of room for any type tent or hammock. The historic Floyd’s Cabin is also open.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, Saturday, November 4, 2023, overnight and return Sunday
Put In:
Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp (SCFSP), 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park in Charlton County.
Plan accordingly to arrive on time, phone service is mostly nonexistent once you leave Fargo, Ga. and drive the 17 miles to Stephen C. Foster State Park.
![[Ready at SCFSP John S. Quarterman 2022-11-19, at Floyd's Island --Gretchen Quarterman 2022-11-06]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-11-04--floyds-island-camping-okefenokee/many.jpg)
Ready at SCFSP John S. Quarterman 2022-11-19, at Floyd’s Island –Gretchen Quarterman 2022-11-06
Take Out: We return Sunday to SCFSP, but overnight we camp on Floyd’s Island
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit.
For camping, bring whatever you use: tent, hammock, sleeping bag, etc.,
and any cooking gear you prefer.
Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Mosquitoes can be bad at dusk so come prepared.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members.
In addition the Refuge charges $15 per person for camping permits, this includes parking, limit of 20 people. They do not accept any state or federal passes or discounts. As the date gets closer Eventbrite will be available to pay and secure a reservation.
You can pay the WWALS $10 at the outing, or online:
https://wwals.net/outings
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by
becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations
Pre-camping: Camping is available at Griffis Fish Camp for anyone who wants to come earlier.
Unfortunately, all the campsites at at SCFSP are closing November 1st for renovations and will remain closed closed for 14 months. All the Eco-Lodge rooms are booked for November 3rd.
Duration: All day
Paddle: 9 miles, 5 hours.
Shuttle: None.
Host: Shirley Kokidko
Contact: Shirley Kokidko
Backup:
This outing will cancel only in case of extreme weather, reservations are booked 2 months out so it’s not easy to reschedule.
Our fallback date is: November 11, 2023, but that also depends on getting a permit for Floyd’s Island.
More: For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations
Short Link:
Where do we sign up/RSVP?
For most WWALS outings, you just show up.
We do like it if you mark Going on the facebook event or the meetup, so we have some idea how many are coming.
For this one, it’s a bit more tricky.
First, we have to get a reservation for Floyd’s Island, which we can’t quite yet, because those only open a few weeks in advance.
Shirley will handle that.
Then each attendee needs to pay the park fee. -jsq
Not sure if there is something going on at Stephen C. Foster, but their website shows no availability for that weekend.
Looks like it’s probably just too early to reserve campsites at SCFSP for Nov 3, 2023.
https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/stephen-c-foster-state-park/GA/530194/campsite-availability
Dean, I just called SCFSP, that campground is closing Nov 1st for renovations and will be closed 14 months. We’ll update our information. Thank you.