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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State Parks Division announced that Stephen C. Foster State Park will officially be renamed Okefenokee State Park, effective September 1, 2026. Located within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the state park serves as the Western Entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and provides visitors with opportunities to experience North America’s largest blackwater swamp. Okefenokee State Park is also Georgia State Parks’ only International Dark Sky Park, providing visitors with an exceptional opportunity to experience the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge under some of the darkest skies in the state.
The new name better reflects the park’s geographic location, its role as the western entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and provides visitors with a clearer understanding of the destination they are visiting. The timing of the name change is particularly significant following the designation of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge as Georgia’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The new designation brings significant international recognition to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and provides an important opportunity to increase awareness of the Georgia state park and its role as the western gateway to experiencing this extraordinary natural resource.
“This is an exciting day for Georgia State Parks, and the timing could not be more significant,” said Angie Johnson, DNR’s Director of the Georgia State Parks Division. “The designation of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an incredible distinction and brings international attention to this remarkable natural resource.”
The park is also experiencing the largest infrastructure investment in its history. A complete campground renovation was completed in August 2025, and improvements to the boat basin, where state park ranger-led tours and boat rentals are offered, were completed in August 2026. Additional improvements include the addition of the only ADA-accessible kayak launch into the Okefenokee, ten new cottages currently under construction, and construction of a new state park visitor center is expected to begin in the coming months.
“We have world-class facilities being developed in one of the world’s most remarkable natural assets,” stated Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon. “The significant improvements underway at Okefenokee State Park are enhancing the visitor experience and increasing accessibility into this beautiful natural environment. The state park is positioned to welcome more visitors and provide opportunities for people to experience the Okefenokee.”
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Media Contact:
Austin Suhr, Marketing and Communications Manager, Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
austin.suhr@dnr.ga.gov
