A Canoe Camping Trip to Coffee Bay Shelter in the Okefenokee Swamp

In the past week I took two paddle camping trips. Here's a little on the first trip, a write up on the second trip (on the Suwannee!) to come!

The first trip was a 2 day, 1 night guided trip to Coffee Bay Shelter in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. This trip is pretty straightforward for the most part, with some variable routes to choose from. As a local guide, I know all the route variations, and help my guests choose the best route for their abilities and desires. In this case, my guests decided to skip the Hurrah Run (day use canoe trail) in favor of the Suwannee Canal, to not have to be so close (potentially) to any gators on that trail (it is a tight trail in some spots and it will put you face to face with gators on occasion). I always describe the difference choices as we get to them and let the guests decide what they want to do. So after skipping the Hurrah Run, we headed down the Suwannee Canal, hit the restroom on the Cutoff at the 2 mile Fork (where 3 different possible routes diverge), went down the Canal (skipping the Cutoff to save it for day 2, and skipping the Pink Trail entrance to Chesser Prairie because of high winds that day). I took them down to the entrance to Tater Rake Run, and we went in to have a look around and we stopped for lunch about a quarter mile in. Floating in a foot of water, surrounded by gorgeous prairie views is the best way to enjoy a lunch!

Lunch on Tater Rake Run in Chesser Prairie (I had my usual: crackers, hard salami, sliced cheese, and a few squares of chocolate)

Coffee Bay Shelter, the Suwannee Canal to the right. A camp for Black cross-tie cutters was established here by the Hebard Cypress Company in 1929. The camp burned in 1932, but was rebuilt.

After heading back into the Suwannee Canal, we went straight to Coffee Bay (all in all about 6.5 miles). We saw a ton of gators on the way there enjoying the sun, most under 5 feet. The night was cool but not uncomfortable (I sleep cold so I brought my 20/30 degree bag despite the temps only getting into the high 40s/low 50s). We woke up shortly after sunrise, enjoyed our hot coffee and oatmeal with fruit and nuts, packed up, and headed out. We passed a large group heading to Canal Run, and two fellows heading to Coffee Bay. “I left the lights on and beer in the fridge for y’all” I told them, which always gets a laugh!

The wind was awful on the 2nd day. My guests were at a better advantage, being two people weighing down a canoe tandem, with lots of their own gear. I am more of minimalist, so I didn't have a ton of gear to counterbalance myself, and while solo canoeing I usually paddle "backwards" from the bow seat, on this trip I paddled from the stern seat because my Dagger Reflection 16 is slightly asymmetrical. I counterbalanced myself with my gear, food, and water by placing it all at or in front of the bow seat, and I knelt the majority of the time near the center, moving to the stern seat ever so often to give my knees a rest (though I do wear knee pads). Despite my counterbalancing and center kneeling, the wind still played with me like a toy! After many, many windy trips in the Swamp, I have developed an amazing patience for the wind, and so I just rode out the gusts, corrected my course as needed, and kept up with my guests without issue. After a nice floating lunch in my favorite shady spot of the Cutoff (which diverges from the main Suwannee Canal only to rejoin it one mile later at the Fork), we were back before we knew it despite the high winds that day. I loaded my canoes and gear, we said our goodbyes, and I headed back home to Waycross, knowing I would be back soon! For Connie and Jim from Michigan, the next Swamp trip may have to wait a while.

Book your guided canoe camping trip with your favorite local guide (that’s me!)! I provide everything that you need to have a safe, fun, and unforgettable trip. I am a Federally licensed wilderness guide and certified Interpretive Naturalist with a lifetime of paddling experience on our southeastern waters.

For Okefenokee Swamp trips, click here

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On our way on the Green Reach - the part of the Suwannee Canal between the Crossroads and Coffee Bay