Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Bond Swamp NWR, located 6 miles south of Macon, was established in 1989 to protect, maintain and enhance the forested wetland ecosystem of the Ocmulgee River floodplain. It opened to the public in 2000 and currently consists of 6,500 acres situated along the fall line separating the Piedmont and Coastal Plains. The refuge has a diversity of vegetation communities, including mixed hardwood-pine, bottomland hardwoods, tupelo gum swamp forests, creeks, tributaries, beaver swamps, and oxbow lakes. The refuge is rich in wildlife diversity including white-tailed deer, wood ducks, black bears, alligators, wild turkey, a nesting pair of bald eagles, and excellent wintering habitat for waterfowl. Extensive bottomland hardwoods provide critical habitat for neotropical songbirds of concern, such as Swainson's warbler, wood thrush, and prothonotary warbler and yellow-billed cuckoo. The combination of warm weather and wet areas at Bond Swamp provide ideal conditions for a variety of reptile and amphibian species.

Located in middle Georgia, Bond Swamp NWR is six miles south of Macon. In Macon, take I-75 to I-16 East to Exit 6, Route 23/129 South. Go 4.2 miles to the Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge sign at the Stone Creek entrance on the right. The Bond Swamp NWR visitor center is located at Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in Jones County, Georgia, approximately 30 miles north of Macon. In Macon, take I-75 north to Exit 171, GA 87/US 23/Riverside Drive, go north approximately 14 miles to Juliette Road. Turn east on Juliette Road and follow signs to the visitor center.