Closed Since 2007: $500,000 grant will restore iconic Okefenokee Boardwalk, improving ADA access

WAYCROSS, Ga. (WTOC) - Okefenokee Swamp Park has received a $500,000 grant to restore the historic Skull Lake Boardwalk, which has remained closed since the 2007 Bugaboo Fire.

The funding comes through the Expedia Trails Fund, a nationwide initiative supporting projects that improve access to outdoor destinations.

The restoration will replace deteriorated sections of the boardwalk with ADA-accessible pathways and new bridges, while adding educational signage about the Okefenokee’s ecology and history.

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026 and be completed by spring 2027.

Park leaders say the project will help preserve one of the Okefenokee’s most iconic destinations while improving access for future visitors.

The boardwalk restoration is part of the park’s larger $36 million “Okefenokee Experience” initiative aimed at expanding tourism and educational opportunities in the region.