Explore the Land and Waters Where the Earth Itself Trembles.
Blackwater prairies, ancient cypress, and a landscape that feels untouched by time. On Land of the Trembling Earth: The Okefenokee you will slow down and engage with one of North America’s most unique ecosystems and largest blackwater swamps. We’ll explore the Okefenokee by canoe and boardwalk, work alongside local partners on conservation, and spend our days learning the rhythms of the land—its wildlife, waters, and history. After the swamp, we’ll end the experience on Florida’s Amelia Island, where the waters of the St. Marys River—born in the Okefenokee—meet the sea and where history and nature collide. By the end of the journey, we’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for this fragile environment and for one another.
Dates & Availability.
October 4-October 10, 2026 | Available |
Adventure Profile.
Each Bridgeford adventure is shaped by physical intensity, environment, and the kind of challenge it offers. Learn more about how we define adventure.
Physical Intensity | Active |
Adventure Styles | Wilderness Immersion |
Accommodations | Camping & Hotels |
Enviorment | Remote wetlands |
Adventure Details.
Cost | $2,495 |
Length | 7 days |
Ages | 15-18 at trip start |
Starting Location | Jacksonville, Florida |
Ending Location | Jacksonville, Florida |
Group Size | 8 Participants |
Leaders | 2 Leaders |
Adventure Highlights
Cross the Swamp
Spend several days paddling across the Okefenokee Swamp, immersing yourself in one of North America’s most distinctive wilderness ecosystems. Each day on the water offers the chance to observe wildlife such as alligators, black bears, owls, otters, turtles, and a wide variety of bird species. As we paddle beneath towering bald cypress trees and through stretches of water lilies and floating peat mats, we’ll slow down, pay attention, and learn how this fragile ecosystem functions. Spanish moss drapes overhead, creating an unmistakable Deep South experience.
Photo Credit: Joanne Dale | 2023
Photo Credit: Rena Johnson
Star Gazing
Watch the night sky at Stephen C. Foster State Park, designated a DarkSky Park in 2016. Free from light pollution, the park offers exceptionally clear views of the stars, planets, and constellations rarely visible in most parts of the eastern United States. Recognized by DarkSky as a Gold-tier night sky experience, this setting allows us to slow down, step away from artificial light, and reconnect with the natural rhythms of night. The absence of artificial light reveals a night sky that is increasingly rare in the modern world.
Fernandina and Sunset Tour
Explore beautiful Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. See the former shrimp capital of America, walk the downtown streets, and discover the culture of the 8 flags island. End the day on the water with a sunset cruise through the Cumberland Sound, where shifting light transforms the salt marsh and coastal waterways. As we move through the sound, dolphins are often visible in the distance, and seabirds trace the sky overhead. The experience offers a slower pace and a chance to observe how natural systems, working waterfronts, and human history intersect along Georgia’s coast.
Photo Credit: Sonya Tyler | 2022
Photo Credit: Mark Bias | 2023
Fort Clinch State Park
Explore Fort Clinch State Park, where coastal landscapes and American history intersect. Built in the mid-19th century, the fort offers a tangible window into the Civil War era and the strategic importance of Florida’s Atlantic coast. Walking through its brick corridors and across the surrounding grounds provides space to consider how geography, conflict, and human decision-making shape history. Set against dunes, maritime forest, and open water, Fort Clinch connects past and present in a setting that encourages thoughtful observation rather than hurried sightseeing.
Photo Credit: Alexander Ließ | 2023