The land of trembling earth sits on the border of the Georgia-Florida line. It is said that if you jump up and down at Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge the trees will shake because the land is composed of unstable peat.
The Okefenokee Swamp is the largest blackwater swamp in North America, one of the five largest swamps in the world, and the state’s largest wilderness area. It is one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia. It is a very unique place to visit and it is hard to believe a place of such importance was almost destroyed entirely. A canal was built to drain the wetlands and convert it into farmlands, but sponsor Captain Harry Jackson ran out of money and the plan was aborted. Today within the refuge there are 9 miles of trails at the east entrance. The land consists of cypress swamps, prairies, two rivers – St. Marys and Suwannee, and is home to a variety of species – so where to hike and what to see?
+Cane Pole Trail
Near the visitors center, past the canoe rental area there is a short hike along the Suwannee Canal. It is just over a ½ mile round trip and the perfect place to stretch your legs. Gators glide through the waters, frogs sing and crickets chirp in their wake.
On the observation deck sandhill cranes flew out in the distance, their shrill squawks send shivers down your back.
The thin towering pines tell a tale from a time before 1937 when the land was used by a lumber company. The ancient cypress forest was destroyed, but since it was declared a National Wildlife Refuge the land is healing.
+Swamp Island Drive
A 7.5 mile wildlife drive provides access to historic sites and hiking trails.
+Chesser Island Homestead
Early swamp settlers Tom and Iva Chesser grew sugar cane and made turpentine from pine resin for a living on this land in 1927. They hunted, raised livestock, had beehives, and a subsistence garden.
Take a free tour inside the home and learn about the harsh conditions of the land and the Chesser family way of life. The guide was very enthusiastic and chock full of interesting tidbits. Hike along the .7 mile Chesser Homestead Trail loop, you may see clusters of butterflies on buttonbushes.
Connect to the roundtrip 1.5 mile Chesser Island Boardwalk where you are bound to see plenty of wildlife. Woodpeckers boring holes into trees.
Turtles soaking up the sun.
At the end of the line a 40’ tower appears.
Take in the view of Chesser Prarie and Seagrove lake.
A guttural noise from the shallows uncovered a gator, perhaps wooing a mate or staving off a competitor.
Either way – I’ve never heard a gator enacting that behavior before, it was incredible.
+Upland Discovery Trail
A short quarter of a mile trail through pine forest is home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers. 
Keep a keen eye open and you may be luckier than I was. However, I did enjoy the pond filled with lilies.
Also, its impressive inhabitant.
Good to know:
+A $5 entrance fee is good for 7 days, free with America the Beautiful pass
+Private companies offer boat tours to get a closer look on the water
+There are multiple sections of the park, and the swamp spans further than the NWR boundaries