The Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) encompasses 2,623 acres of state-owned property and 5,874 acres of land under license from the U.S. Air Force. There are two main access points: the check station/education center entrance on Knight’s Academy Road and the federal land entrance off U.S. Highway 221. The area is located in Lowndes County/Valdosta, Georgia.
The park offers several great activities and amenities to include the ability to canoe and kayak, fishing in the surrounding swamps and along trails, hiking trails at approximately 6 miles total, good trails (mainly dirt roads) with newly refurbished boardwalks, and large viewing tower to see the surrounding swampland areas. The tower also allows visitors to occasionally see planes and helicopters flying from Moody Air Force Base.
Canoe & kayak enthusiasts may not enjoy this swamp as much as Okeefenokee or Reed Bingham lake as there is very limited open water. If you want to get close-up photos of swamp dwellers and plants then this is a great place. There are a dozen or more wood duck nest boxes although we’ve never seen the ducks nesting in the ones close to the tower. We have not tried kayaking into the swamp.
Sunsets from the top of the tower are rewarding. You will sometimes see herons & egrets flying to their evening roosts on hammocks in the swamp. Sandhill cranes are sometimes seen.
Wildlife to expect include deer, raccoons, wild hogs, birds, turtles, and alligators. We’ve occasionally seen swallow-tailed and Mississippi kites, black-crowned night herons, little blue herons, white ibis.
Coversations/Things we learned:
Our experience: well worth the visit and overall a clean park. There are basic (flush) restrooms at the entrance to the boardwalk. School groups often visit and have a small classroom there. Several picnic tables also available near this building.
Moody Air Force Base has a bombing range near this park but worry not; no danger and the wildlife are acclimated to the aircraft noise. For those who love aircraft and wildlife, this a a double feature event.
Good for the entire family.
Contact information:
4641-4649 Knight Academy Road
Valdosta, GA 31605 Phone: (229) 426-5267
Check Station/Education Center Entrance
Boardwalk
Gallery of photos
Kinderlou Tower
Gallery of photos
Hiking & Hunting Area
Gallery of photos
Federal Land Entrance
Gallery of photos
Wildlife
Gallery of photos
Videos
Vegetation/Plant Life
Moody Air Force Base
