Alligators abound along the shores of the swamp and even swim alongside watercraft. Boating is the way to go in the western section of the Okefenokee Swamp, the "land of the trembling earth."

The water is ebony-black with tannic acid, the water lilies are bright green, and the grey Spanish moss drips from towering cypress trees — an awe-inspiring setting that offers great photo ops. Alligators, yellow-belly sliders (turtles), herons, ibis are just a few of the wildlife sightings possible.

Stephen C. Foster State Park is off Route 177 in Fargo and is the main western entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). From this base, visitors can take an hour-long guided pontoon boat tour ($12.50/adult), launch personal watercraft, or rent a motor boat, canoe, or kayak. The swamp’s principal outlet is the Suwannee River, which travels 280 miles through Georgia and Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. No pets are allowed in watercraft.