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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge will begin its summer hours of operation Friday, March 1, 2013. The East Entrance, located seven miles southwest of Folkston, GA, will open one-half hour before sunrise and close at 7:30 p.m. Summer hours are in effect March 1 to October 31, 2013. With longer hours, visitors can enjoy the day-use canoe trails until 6:00 p.m. The gate to the Swamp Island Drive now stays open until 6:00 p.m., and visitors are expected to exit the drive by 7:00 p.m.With more than five inches of rain the past week, water levels are improving, and gators are out basking. The resident Florida sandhill cranes may be seen engaging in their fascinating courtship dances, the red-shouldered hawks are tidying their Canal nest, and there are turtles galore – all of which can be seen on a tour down the Suwannee Canal into the wetland prairies. Ranger-led interpretive programs on gators, birds, and habitats are offered every Saturday. For more information contact the refuge’s visitor center from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily at (912) 496-7836.To book overnight trips into the swamp call the canoe hotline (912) 496-3331. The line is staffed only from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.