Billy's Lake is the largest lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, measuring approximately 3. 5 miles long.

Located within this vast 402,000-acre wilderness area spanning Georgia and Florida, the lake serves as a central hub for paddling activities in the western portion of the swamp. Access is exclusively through Stephen C.

Foster State Park, the western entrance to the Okefenokee refuge. From the park's boat launch, paddlers navigate a narrow 20-foot-wide access canal lined with spatterdock for approximately 1,700 feet before reaching the main lake.

The park offers canoe and kayak rentals ($30 for up to 8 hours), restroom facilities, and ample parking. A $5 entrance fee applies. The lake itself ranges from 155 feet wide in open sections to as narrow as 35 feet near Billy's Island.

Water depths typically range from 2 to 10 feet throughout the swamp system. The dark, tannin-stained waters provide perfect reflections of surrounding bald cypress trees draped with Spanish moss.

Spatterdock lines the shorelines, and the understory features abundant shining fetterbush, the principal understory species of the Okefenokee. Wildlife viewing is exceptional, with an estimated 10,000-13,000 American alligators inhabiting the refuge.

Large gators (10-12 feet) are commonly seen basking on logs and banks. Birdlife includes herons, egrets, barred owls, and ibis. The lake offers several points of interest including The Five Sisters (cypress trees), Gator Cove, and The Hollow Tree.

Popular destinations from Billy's Lake include Billy's Island (2 miles east), featuring a dock, walking trail, and remnants of an early 1900s logging community cemetery.

Minnie's Lake lies 4 miles north via the Middle Fork of the Suwannee River, accessible through cypress-lined channels. The best paddling season is February through March and October through November to avoid peak mosquito activity.

Swimming is prohibited throughout the refuge. Day use visitors share trails with overnight wilderness campers, who require advance permits. Motors up to 10 HP are permitted for day use only.