Camping ● Hiking ● Kayaking ● Swimming ● Day Trip
Can’t Read Now? Pin for Later!
Blackwater River State Park is located in the Panhandle of Florida. Close to many popular beach-vacation destinations like Panama City Beach, Navarre Beach, and Destin, Blackwater River State Park makes for a wonderful day trip on your Florida Panhandle beach vacation.
Explore the Real Florida in Blackwater River State Park. Named after the river that flows through this Florida State Park, Blackwater River gets its name from one unique feature – its dark, coffee colored water that is due to the sandy bottom of the river.
Surrounded by Longleaf Pines, there are miles of trails in Blackwater River State Park of natural, wild, Florida to explore. You have the opportunity to see an array of lizards, birds, and even alligators.
Camping in Blackwater River State Park
There are opportunities to camp in the Blackwater River State Park.
Blackwater River State Park has 30 campsites with full hook-ups, bathroom facilities, a playground, and hiking trails near-by. Overnight visitors can stay comfortably at Blackwater River State Park.
Pets are welcome to stay but are not allowed in all areas (such as the restroom facilities).
Reservations for camping at Blackwater River State Park can be made on the Florida Parks and Wildlife website.
Hiking in Blackwater River State Park
Blackwater River State Park has 3 different hiking trails to choose from. With over 4 miles of trails, there will be plenty to see while walking Blackwater River State Park.
Juniper Lake Trail can be accessed directly from the Blackwater River State Park campground. On this trail you will hike to Juniper Lake and enjoy the beautiful juniper trees surrounding the lake and giving it its name. During our visit, we were lucky enough to see a large alligator in Juniper Lake. As it is a resident alligator, I would expect the chances of glimpsing this prehistoric creature to be pretty high. Coming in at a little under a mile long, the Juniper Lake Trail is a great option for those with sure-footing (as there are some exposed roots and occasionally high water on this trail).
The Chain of Lakes nature trail in Blackwater River State Park is accessed across the river from the campground with a designated parking lot for hikers. At just under two miles, this loop hiking trail explores both the current river banks and the historic river banks where there are now lakes.
The last trail at Blackwater River State Park is the Juniper Creek Trail (not to be confused with the Juniper Lake Trail) and can be accessed by the picnic pavilion. Only a one mile section of the Juniper Creek Trail is through the Blackwater River State Park. The rest of the 7.5 mile trail is through the Blackwater State Forest (which surrounds the Blackwater River State Park). Primarily maintained by volunteers, the Juniper Creek Trail is an out and back trail. If you plan to hike it in its entirety, be prepared with plenty of water.
Kayaking Blackwater River State Park
Blackwater River State Park is home to a section of a Florida Canoe Trail system. This designates the waters in Blackwater River State Park as unique and special to the state of Florida. While only two miles of the Blackwater River are float-able within the State Park boundaries, visitors can put in and start over as many times as they want!
Kayaking isn’t the only water opportunity on the Blackwater River within the Blackwater River State Park, visitors can also tube and canoe.
Swimming at Blackwater River State Park
With white sandy beaches, the Blackwater River is an excellent place to take a dip! Swimming beaches are located within the Blackwater River State Park and outside the State Park boundaries within the Blackwater State Forest there are places to swim for free!
Day Trip at Blackwater River State Park
During your Florida Panhandle beach vacation, it is primarily the beaches that are the draw. But visitors miss out on much of what makes Florida unique. Take a day trip to Blackwater River State Park to explore the true Florida. Experience nature you won’t find on the beaches, breath in the fresh air, and enjoy time with your family without the crowds often found on the beaches.
Pack a lunch and visit Blackwater River State Park for the day. For a minimal entrance fee, $4 per car, you will have access to all of the State Park. With miles of hiking trails and a white-sand river to swim in, there will be fun for everyone. Don’t worry about being too far from the comforts of home – the Blackwater River State Park has clean bathrooms and water.
There are a few pavilions where visitors can escape the heat of the sun and relax in the shade. Enjoy your picnic here or on the white-sand beaches of the Blackwater River.
Griseta Travels 