Laura S. Walker State Park

Monday, February 7, 2022

Hi Blog! 

The winter weather has caught up with us! We were only able to get out and about our first two days here in the Okefenokee Swamp. We've spent the last two days in camp watching golf, while a cold, windy rain pelted the RV. Even though the rain has finally let up, the temperatures are just too cold for paddling. We’ve already walked all the trails in the Stephen C. Foster State Park. So, it was time for a road trip.

We drove out from the back of the beyond and set our sights on Waycross, Georgia. After a quick stop at Walmart (for supplies, not as tourists, you should know), we found LL Creek Bar and Grill, where we feasted on fried green tomatoes and gator bites. Our next stop was the Laura S. Walker State Park located on the north side of the Okefenokee.

After checking in at the Park Office, we set out to find the Lake Trail.

The land that became the Laura S. Walker State Park was purchased in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Work Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corp developed the site. Guests can still stay in the original CCC cabins. There are 16 original cabins grouped in sets of four. Each set has its own bath house. There is a huge central kitchen which makes it convenient for large groups to hold events at the park.

The park is named after Mrs. Laura Singleton Walker. She came to Waycross in 1886 as the wife of Dr. J.L. Walker, the Mayor of Waycross. She was a writer, teacher, civic leader and naturalist who was a great lover of the forest and worked for preservation. 

The start of our trail winds its way through a sandy long leaf pine forest.

Many of the pines in this area show scars of the gum rosin industry. The outer bark was stripped away causing the tree to “bleed” its sap called pine tar or gum. This sap was caught in cups then distilled to produce turpentine, rosin and other products. These scars became known as “catfaces” because the angled scrapes resemble cat whiskers and the top of the scar resembles cat ears.

A 1,500 foot boardwalk crosses the 120-acre Laura S. Walker Lake.

The park’s lake offers opportunities for fishing and swimming. Boats and kayaks are available for rent.

The trail has a number of nature stops that educate visitors on the types of wildlife around the lake. After reading about two hundred pound alligator snapping turtles (not to mention copperhead and cottonmouth snakes), we're not sure we would want to swim in this lake or go wandering off trail.

Here's a look back along the boardwalk.

The trail runs along the west side of the lake. There are six two bedroom cottages which are available for rent. These cottages border The Lakes golf course. The Lakes was designed by Steve Burnes and features native sand for the many bunkers and waste areas. This coastal Georgia course has three large lakes and is very close to the Okefenokee Swamp. Popular for great course conditions and mild weather (except for today). It was voted 2009 Best Municipal Golf Course in Georgia by Golf Digest. Good to know in case we come back this way again.

A boardwalk leads us through a cypress swamp.

It's a gray day on the lake today.

We worked our way back to the wildlife observation platform where we observed no wildlife.

Much of the land around the Okefenokee is made up of pine plantations. Once an acre has been cleared, a minimum of 500 pine seedlings are planted. Pine trees have about a 30-year maturity with an intermediate harvest, where trees are thinned out for smaller logs or wood chips. The trail led us through a plantation that had already been thinned. Watching row after row of long leaf pine can be hypnotic.

Despite the cold weather, we are seeing some faint signs of spring. The little yellow trumpet vines decorate the forest understory with their bright yellow flowers adding a little color to an otherwise gray day.

After being stuck inside for two days, it was great to get out. 

We did learn a few fun facts about the area. Did you know that Waycross was the childhood home of Pernell Roberts, Gram Parsons, and Ozzie Davis. It is also the birthplace of Burt Reynolds. Waycross was also home to “The Green Frog” restaurant, which was built in the 1930’s by the Darden brothers, who went on to open a famous chain of restaurants called “Red Lobster.” So, if you have eaten at a Red Lobster, you can thank Waycross, Georgia!

The weather is not expected to improve before we leave, so this will be our last blog from Okefenokee. Look out Florida, here we come!