A Georgia state park has officially changed its name as the Okefenokee Swamp gains international recognition.
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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources State Parks Division announced that Stephen C. Foster State Park is now officially Okefenokee State Park, effective Sept. 1.
Located within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the park serves as the western entrance to the refuge and gives visitors access to North America’s largest blackwater swamp.
The new name is intended to better reflect the park’s location and its role as a gateway to the Okefenokee.
The name change comes after the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was designated Georgia’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site, bringing international recognition to the natural resource.
“This is an exciting day for Georgia State Parks, and the timing could not be more significant,” DNR State Parks Division Director Angie Johnson said.
The park is also undergoing the largest infrastructure investment in its history.
A complete campground renovation was finished in August 2025, while improvements to the boat basin were completed in August 2026. The boat basin is where state park ranger-led tours and boat rentals are offered.
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Other improvements include the only ADA-accessible kayak launch into the Okefenokee and 10 new cottages that are currently under construction.
Construction on 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,” DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon said.
Okefenokee State Park is also Georgia State Parks’ only International Dark Sky Park, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the refuge under some of the darkest skies in the state.
DNR officials said the improvements are designed to enhance the visitor experience and increase accessibility as the park prepares to welcome more visitors.
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