Minnie’s Lake Gathering of Gators

American Alligator basking on a log along Minnie’s Lake in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 16, 2023. ©williamwisephoto.com

Minnie’s Lake is always a great destination for a day-paddle in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Launching from Stephen C Foster State Park, Minnie’s Lake is a decent paddle across Billy’s Lake and then about five miles up the Suwannee Middle Fork. Along the way, you pass through the prettiest views in the Swamp (in my opinion) as tall Cypress and Spanish Moss shade the bright sky and cypress knees border the channel, and bright Golden Club and Yellow Bonnet Lilies grace the blackwater river. Upon approaching Minnie’s Lake, the run widens and the skies open up. Minnie’s Lake is filled with verdant Spatterdock that could hide many of the alligators if they weren’t all lounging about on every fallen Cypress tree and stump. We always manage to find a healthy gathering of gators on Minnie’s Lake!

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Sunday, April 16, 2023.