12 Paddles in 12 Months Paddle 12: Stephen C Foster State Park / Okeefenokee Swamp - Fri, Dec 4 2026

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



12 Paddles in 12 Months Paddle 12: Stephen C Foster State Park / Okeefenokee Swamp


The Basics:
Event Type:Water
Event Location: Fargo, GA   Water: 12 Paddles in 12 Months Paddle 12: Stephen C Foster State Park / Okeefenokee Swamp  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Dec 4 2026  4:00 pm >> Sun, Dec 6 2026 2:00 pm
Registration Opens: Mon, Sep 21 2026 7:05 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Dec 3 2026 7:05 pm
Event Duration:1 Days 22 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Distance:14 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Kelly
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Member Cost:$5.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:1
Minimum Group Size:1
Number Registered So Far: 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Paddle 12 Weekend at the Okeefenokee! Recently Declared a World Heritage Site.

Summary:

Day 1: Check in at the Stephen C. Foster Eco Lodge any time after 4 pm.

Day 2: This will be our big paddling day. We will paddle to Millie's lake rest shelter and then to Billy's Island and back to the Vistor's Center for a total of 10.6 miles of paddling.

Day 3: Check out of the Eco lodge and then do a morning paddle at the park to Mixon's hammock (3.4 miles round trip) before heading home.

Detailed Itinerary:

We will be staying at the Stephen C Foster Eco Lodge that is located 18 miles from the park. The park cabins are under renovation and are not available. I have reserved cabins to accommodate 8 people in beds and we can have an additional 2 people on air matresses for a total of 10 people including the TL. The cost will be $100 dollars for a bed and $75 each if you get an air mattress. Once people sign-up I can make room assignments. If you have a strong preferance for a bed or air mattress please write that in your registration notes. The cabins have kitchens, pots and pans, dishes, bathrooms with showers and towels. No more than 3 people will need to share a bathroom.

People can arrive any time after 4 on Friday to check in. Dinner will be on your own since people may arrive at different times. 

Saturday morning we will get to the park early to begin our first day's paddle.  The Okeefenokee swamp is one of Georgia's seven natural wonders and the largest blackwater wetland in the South. Spanish moss-laced trees reflect off the swamp waters, while cypress knees rise upward from the glass-like surface. Alligators, turtles, raccoons, black bears, deer, ibis, herons, wood storks, red-cockaded woodpeckers and numerous other creatures can been seen at the park and on its waters. 

We will start our paddle at the Visitor's Station and after registering our trip. We will paddle to Millie's lake rest shelter and have lunch. We will retrace our path to Billy's lake and then turn left to Billy's Island. When we get to Billy's Island we will take a 1-mile walking trail loop that passes a thousand-year-old Weeden Island Culture mound, remnants of the logging industry, and a small pioneer cemetery. After our walk we will paddle back to the visitor's center. 

Saturday night we will share a family style meal and celebrate the completion of the 12 Paddles Challenge! Woo Hoo!

Sunday we will check out of the lodge and then go for a morning paddle at the park. We will again put in at the Visitor Center but this time we will head to Mixon Hammock for an easy out and back (3.4 total). We will get back to the visitor center before lunch and folks can hang out and eat lunch or head home. 

Everyone will be responsible to bring their dinner for Friday night, two breakfasts and two lunches. Plus any snacks and beverages you may want. We will share in the cost of the celebration dinner Saturday night - if anyone wants to take the responsibility of planning and cooking the dinner let me know. 

Just a FYI there is no grocery store in Fargo and only one fast food chicken place. So you need to be sure to bring everything you will need for food. 

 

For more information on the GA State Park Paddler's Club click here https://gastateparks.org/sites/default/files/parks/pdf/clubs/ParkPaddlers_MemberCard_2023_fillable.pdf )


Required Items to Bring:

Kayak or Canoe/paddle

PFD

Whistle

Food/water (1 dinner, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, snacks)

Appropriate clothing - I will send weather forecast before the event with recommendations

Dry change of clothes (on paddle)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Games/musical instruments for evening socializing

$10 for State Park fee or State Park Pass


Notes:

All members are welcome to register and participate in this event. However those who are on track to to complete the 12 Paddles Challenge will have first priority. When registering all members will go to a wait list. Those with at least 8 paddles in the 12 paddle series at the time of registration will be added to the event first. After those registrants have been added, other registrants will be added based on past paddling experience and the mix of males/females for sleeping arrangements. This event will have a maximum of 10 people including the TL.


Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$5.00/Person
Cost Includes:

The event will cost $100 for those people sleeping in beds and $75 for those people on air mattresses. I will be collcting the cost for the accommodations from each participant once they have been added to the event. If you cancel from the event you will only get your money back if someone else takes your spot. 

There is a $5 fee to the AOC that you will need to pay on the website. This fee is nonrefundable. 

We will share the cost of the Saturday's dinner. Details on the meal and cost will be provided later. 

Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Thu, Dec 3 2026.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

Inclement weather may be a reason for this event to be cancelled. The cost of the event is the same if you stay one or two night at the lodge.