GUIDED OKEFENOKEE KAYAK & CANOE TOURS

Paddle Into the

Wild Heart of the Okefenokee

Experience Georgia’s newly recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site on a small-group guided kayak or canoe adventure. Choose from beginner-friendly day tours or all-inclusive overnight paddle camping trips.

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PERMITTED GUIDE SERVICE - SMALL GROUPS - EQUIPMENT INCLUDED

A WORLD HERITAGE WILDERNESS

More Than a Swamp.

A Place of Global Importance.

The Okefenokee is one of the largest and most intact freshwater ecosystems in North America. It’s a living landscape shaped by water, fire, wildlife, and thousands of years of natural change.

Here, dark water reflects ancient cypress trees, sandhill cranes call across open prairies and each narrow trail leads farther from the noise of the everyday world.

In 2026, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing a place that has always felt extraordinary to those who have experienced it from the water.

Okefenokee tour with Driftwood Paddling Tours

CHOOSE YOUR OKEFENOKEE ADVENTURE

How Deep Into the Swamp Do You Want to Go?

Three people kayaking on the Okefenokee during fall

HALF-DAY TOUR

A Gentle Introduction to the Swamp

Dates: October 11 or November 15, 2026

A relaxed, beginner-friendly paddle through cypress-lined waterways and open prairie.

4 HOURS - BEGINNER FRIENDLY - $130 per person

VIEW HALF-DAY TOUR
People kayaking on the Okefenokee on a Driftwood kayaking tour

FULL-DAY TOUR

Go Deeper Into the Okefenokee

Dates: October 10 or November 14, 2026

Spend more time exploring quieter waterways, watching for wildlife and experiencing the changing landscapes of the refuge.

6 HOURS - BEGINNER FRIENDLY - $200 per person

CHOOSE A FULL-DAY TOUR
A paddle camping site wooden dock with a camping tent, hammock, and various outdoor gear under a clear blue sky during sunset in the Okefenokee

OVERNIGHT EXPEDITION

Camp Where the Road Cannot Reach

Dates: October 17-18, 2026

Paddle into the wilderness and spend the night surrounded by cypress trees, dark skies and the sounds of the swamp.

2 DAYS/ 1 NIGHT - MODERATE - $395 per person

EXPLORE THE OVERNIGHT TRIP

THE WILDERNESS WITHOUT THE PLANNING STRESS

Permitted Guides

Driftwood is authorized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to guide day and overnight trips in the ONWR

Beginner Friendly

We teach the essentials before launching and keep the pace comfortable throughout the trip

Small Groups

Smaller groups create a quieter experience and allow more individual attention from your guide

All Gear Included

Kayaks or canoes, paddles, life jackets and all required trip gear are provided

A waterfront scene at sunset with a docked canoe, tents, and a shelter on the edge of a calm water body surrounded by trees and vegetation in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on a Driftwood Paddling tours guided overnight trip.

You Don’t have to Be an Experienced Paddler

Most guests are new to the Okefenokee and many are new to kayaking or canoeing. We’ll teach you what you need to know and guide you every step of the way.

  • Beginner introduction and safety briefing

  • Comfortable pace for a variety of skill levels

  • Routes matched to conditions and water levels

  • Your guide is with you the entire time

Two people outdoors wearing hats and sunglasses, smiling, with a marsh and trees in the background.

Your Okefenokee Guides

Driftwood Paddling Tours is a Georgia family-owned service led by Amanda & Matt. We love sharing this wild place and helping others experience it with confidence, curiosity and respect.

  • Permitted guide service

  • Medical and emergency response experience

  • Small-group instruction

  • Beginner-focused approach

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Our half-day and full-day tours are designed to be approachable for newer paddlers. We provide basic instruction before launching and maintain a comfortable group pace. Guests should still be prepared to paddle steadily for several hours.

  • Our scheduled fall trips launch from Stephen C. Foster State Park, located on the western side of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Detailed meeting and parking instructions are sent before your trip.

  • Your trip includes a kayak or canoe, paddle, properly fitted life jacket, dry bag, safety equipment, paddling instruction and an experienced guide. Water and snacks are included on day tours. Overnight trips also include camping equipment, meals, cooking gear and required wilderness permits.

  • No. All necessary paddling equipment is provided. Guests who would prefer to bring their own boat should contact us before booking so we can confirm that it is appropriate for the route and refuge conditions.

  • Alligators live throughout the Okefenokee, so sightings are common, but wildlife can never be guaranteed. Your guide will explain how to observe animals safely and respectfully without approaching or disturbing them.

  • Every outdoor experience involves some risk, but safety is central to every Driftwood trip. We provide a pre-launch briefing, properly fitted life jackets, emergency communication equipment and guidance throughout the experience. Routes may be adjusted when weather, water levels or trail conditions require it.

  • The full-day trip includes approximately five hours of paddling at a steady, relaxed pace. The terrain is flat, but guests should be comfortable sitting in a kayak or canoe and actively paddling for an extended period.

  • No previous paddle camping experience is required. Your guides handle route planning, permits, meals and group camping equipment, and they will help with camp setup. Guests should be comfortable spending two full days outdoors and sleeping in a primitive wilderness setting.

  • After booking, you will receive a detailed packing list. In general, guests should bring weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection, personal medications, a refillable water bottle and any personal items needed for the day. Full-day guests should also bring lunch unless otherwise stated in the trip listing.

  • We do not automatically cancel for light rain. Trips may be delayed, rerouted or rescheduled when lightning, strong winds, severe weather or unsafe refuge conditions are expected. If Driftwood cancels a trip, guests may reschedule or receive a refund according to the trip policy.

  • Private Okefenokee day tours may be available by request, depending on guide availability, refuge conditions and permitting. Contact us with your preferred date and group size.

  • Fall through spring generally offers cooler temperatures and more comfortable conditions for longer paddling trips. Wildlife, water levels and trail access change throughout the year, making every season a slightly different experience.

Have more questions? Reach out to us at 770-383-1035 and you will speak directly to Matt or Amanda

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

Ready to Experience the Okefenokee From the Water?

Choose an upcoming day tour, join an overnight expedition or contact us to plan a private Okefenokee adventure.

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