Where: Most of the Okefenokee lies in southeastern Georgia (a small area reaches into northern Florida). The closest big city is Jacksonville, Florida, about 50 miles away.

Habitat: This huge-nearly 400,000 acres-world-class freshwater ecosystem includes cypress swamps, lakes, wet prairie, and pine woodlands.

Wildlife: Chief among its aquatic denizens is the omnipresent American alligator. Snakes and turtles are common in the swamps. The refuge is home to two endangered birds, the American wood stork and the red-cockaded woodpecker, as well as to Florida sandhill cranes, anhingas, herons, and egrets.

Activities: Birdwatching, hiking, boating (including wilderness canoeing), fishing, camping (by reservation).

Contact: 912-496-7836;
http://okefenokee.fws.gov/