Photo: Robbie Medler · Public Domain, cropped; resized
State guide
When to catch Georgiathrough the year
We follow 2 places in Georgia for wildlife by season and fall & winter wildlife: winter at Harris Neck Refuge and spring at Harris Neck Refuge and Okefenokee. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
Updated
When are you going?
Fall in Georgia
Good in fall
- Harris Neck RefugeFall: migrating birds and butterflies arrive
- OkefenokeeFall colors across the swamp
- Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area, Chattahoochee-Oconee National ForestJune through September
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after fall
Winter in Georgia
- SEASON · WATERFOWLHarris Neck RefugeWaterfowlWildlife refugeExcellent in December and JanuaryU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Next peak here after winter
Spring in Georgia
- ONE SPOT · WOOD STORKSHarris Neck RefugeWood storksWildlife refugeBetween early March to AugustU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service story: The Wildlife Refuges of I-95 ↗
- SEASON · SWAMP WILDLIFE THROUGH THE SEASONSOkefenokeeSwamp wildlife through the seasonsWildlife refugeSpring and summerU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Next peak here after spring
Summer in Georgia
- BEST VIEWING · WILDFLOWERSLake Russell Wildlife Management Area, Chattahoochee-Oconee National ForestWildflowersNational forestJune through September“June through September” · USDA Forest Service ↗
Also good in summer
- Harris Neck RefugeWoody Pond wood stork nesting colony: the manager's recommended visit, early March to August
- OkefenokeeGopher tortoises graze by their burrows along the entrance road
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Places in Georgia
- Spring
- Winter
Other places to visit
Places on this map, as a list
- Harris Neck RefugeWildlife refugeNext: Waterfowl · excellent in December and JanuaryPhoto: Robbie Medler
OkefenokeeWildlife refugeNext: Swamp wildlife through the seasons · spring and summerPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0
More places to visit
- Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area, Chattahoochee-Oconee National ForestNational forest“In the late summer and fall, enjoy the variety of colors with purple asters and yellow goldenrods and sunflowers as well as the variety of native warm season grasses. The best time to visit is June through September.”Best: June through SeptemberVisit official site ↗
Planning a Georgia trip
Towns to stay in
- Atlanta, GAMacon · 78 mi
- Augusta, GACongaree National Park · 79 mi
- Savannah, GASavannah Refuge · 13 mi
- Athens, GAMacon · 78 mi
- Albany, GAMacon · 93 mi
- Valdosta, GAOkefenokee · 69 mi
- Newnan, GATalladega National Forest · 60 mi
- Hinesville, GAHarris Neck Refuge · 24 mi
- Statesboro, GASavannah Refuge · 45 mi
- Dalton, GADeSoto State Park · 38 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Browse by season and event
- Wildlife by season · 2 places hereWildlife by season, everywhere →
- Fall & winter wildlife · 1 place hereFall & winter wildlife, everywhere →
Questions people ask
What will I see at Woody Pond at Harris Neck Refuge?
In spring, egrets, herons, ibis and wood storks begin nesting there; by summer the rookery is busy with young hatchlings, and alligators patrol the water around it. As nesting ends in fall, migrating birds and butterflies arrive.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Wildlife Watching ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I get out of my car at the pond at Harris Neck Refuge?
Yes. Pull over anywhere along the drive, lock your car and walk the trails you pass; cars must stay on the wildlife drive, and hikers and cyclists are asked to stay on marked trails.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Auto Tour ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog at Harris Neck Refuge?
Only inside your car: pets may ride along on the wildlife drive but aren't allowed out of the vehicle, on trails or anywhere else on refuge land.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the refuge open at Harris Neck Refuge?
Daily from sunrise to sunset, including the wildlife drive. As of September 2026, the visitor contact station is closed until further notice because of staffing.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where's the best view over the swamp at Okefenokee?
The Owl's Roost Observation Tower, at the end of the 0.7-mile Chesser Island Boardwalk: a wide view of the swamp and a good place to watch and photograph birds and other wildlife.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife watching at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What can I see from Swamp Island Drive at Okefenokee?
Watch for American alligators, red-cockaded woodpeckers, brown-headed nuthatches, gray and fox squirrels, nine-banded armadillos and wild turkeys along the 7-mile self-guided drive.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife watching at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: South Carolina · North Carolina · Florida · Alabama
Georgia in pictures
How we know
- Sep 29Park ServiceRefuge managers' one-hour tips; Harris Neck: Woody Pond early March to AugustSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service story: The Wildlife Refuges of I-95 in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceSeason-by-season wildlife: Woody Pond nesting, December–January waterfowlSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Wildlife Watching in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceSummer nesting colonies, winter duck concentrations, painted buntingsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Birding in a new tab)
- Oct 2Park ServiceHarris Neck National Wildlife RefugeSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceTrail list with lengthsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Trails in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceHours, rules, pets, directions and current noticesSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
Show all 8
- Oct 2Park ServiceWildlife watching at Okefenokee National Wildlife RefugeSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife watching at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in a new tab)
- Oct 2Park ServicePhotography at Okefenokee National Wildlife RefugeSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Photography at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in a new tab)