Naval Live Oaks:

Spend your Monday afternoons from 3:00 to 5:00 by taking the kids snorkeling on the Santa Rosa Sound at Naval Live Oaks located east of Gulf Breeze off of highway 98. You can even come early and take a few minutes to explore the new exhibits at the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center. The exhibits include many hands-on activities such as  telephone handsets for au­dio description, a tactile model of an oak tree, a railing system that connects all the exhibits together and models of natural history objects. Ask a park ranger at the information desk about watching a 12 minute movie about the Gulf Islands National Seashores and all of its beauty. You can also sign up for the Junior Ranger Program, if you haven’t done it yet.

If you don’t have young children, you may want to walk the over 7.5 miles of trails or the .8 mile Breckenridge Nature Trail behind the Visitor Center. It’s a beautiful, sandy walk beside live oaks, saw palmettos and wild flowers. Pack a cooler and stay for dinner after snorkeling at one of the covered picnic tables or grab a table and grill near the water and cook some burgers and hotdogs.

Choose one or all the dates below:

• July 11, 18, 25
• August 8

Battery Worth in Fort Pickens:

On Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30, you can take the kids snorkeling at the underwater world on the sound side of Fort Pickens. It’s only $25 for an annual pass and it is good at Johnson Beach in Perdido Key and Opal Beach near Navarre as well.

Pack a lunch to eat under the picnic tables or on the beach. Walk up the fort for an amazing view of the Gulf of Mexico. On your way back, look up into the trees and you’ll notice osprey nests. On the beach you’ll see crabs galore: blue crabs, ghost crabs and marine hermit crabs.

If you’re spending the weekend camping at Fort Pickens, this is a great activity for Saturday morning. To reserve your campsite call Reserve America at 1-877-444-6777. All sites are $20.00 a night with water, electricity, grills, fire rings and picnic tables. Ask about the 50% senior discount.

Choose from the snorkeling dates below:

• Wednesdays- July 6, 13, 20, 27 and August 3 and 10

• Saturdays- July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 6 and 13

St. Andrews State Park in Panama City is a great place to explore for the outdoor enthusiast or beach lover. The state park is located on the east side of Panama City. It has water on three sides, a coastal lake, and swamp areas.

We’d been looking forward to the opportunity to explore this park. This past spring we got the opportunity to do just that. We set up camp and had so much fun exploring this beautiful park. During our stay we saw nesting Egrets, deer, dolphins, snakes, and even an alligator. Yes, you’ve got to watch your step on the trail by Gator Lake. You never know what you may come across.

The park has many hiking trails, a spot to snorkel, kayaking areas, boat rentals, and even a boat launch. for your own boat. You may bring your own boat when you camp or rent a pontoon boat for exploring Shell Island.

St. Andrews Park at one time was a military reservation. Visitors can enjoy miles of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon.

View St. Andrews State Park in a larger map

Camping Information

Camping April 2011

The campground at St. Andrews park is located on Grand Lagoon. The park has some really nice waterfront camp spots. The campground includes two loops with 176 camp sites. The sites range from tent to RVs up to 40 feet. The grounds include nice bath and  laundry facilities. Within a short distance of the camp sites are hiking trails, beaches, boat launch, and a camp store.

Hiking Information

Choose from two hiking trails at St. Andrews State Park. The trails are Heron Pond and Gator Lake Trails. Gator Lake gives you great views of the lake which, yes, does include alligators. The Heron Pond trail takes you on a science hike through the Flatwood pine forest and past a historic turpentine still.

We hiked a portion of Gator Lake and enjoyed many surprises along the way such as snakes and even an alligator. These are great trails for view the beauty and wildlife these parks have to offer.

Boating Information

Pontoon boat we rented

The park includes a public boat ramp and a loading and unloading area. The ramp is located on Grand Lagoon. In addition, a local vendor is available to rent pontoon boats, kayaks, and jet skis.

From this location we launched our stand-up paddleboards. We had a wonderful experience paddling Grand Lagoon. While paddling at sunrise we had the welcome company of playing/feeding dolphins.

During our stay, we also had a great experience renting a pontoon boat. The staff were helpful and showed us the popular spots to go which included a wonderful place to stop and snorkel where you could see live sand dollars, sea urchins, and other sea life. After snorkeling, we anchored at Shell Island, which is an undeveloped island between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay.

Snorkel and Dive

The jetties located in the park are an excellent place for beginner divers and snorkelers. The area inside the jetties is called the kiddy pool. The protected and shallow water creates a safe place to explore the sea life in St. Andrews Park.

Didn’t bring your own equipment? You may rent equipment at any of the concession stores in the state park.

Beach Access & Day Use

Plunge into the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico at the public beach area. The park has over one and a half miles of sugar white sandy beaches and emerald waters. The public beach area gives you access to the open waters of the Gulf or a protected shallow water area in the inlet.

In addition, the state park offers shuttle boat tours over to Shell Island where you can enjoy both bay and gulf swimming.

Photo of St. Andrews State Park

Snorkeling Area

St. Andrews State Park Beach Area

Deer

Nesting Egrets

Nesting Egrets Viewing Area

American Alligator in Gator lake

Gator Lake Hiking Trail

There are lots of places along the Gulf Coast to send your children for swimming lessons. But did you know there is training available for your infants? If you own your own swimming pool and have an infant aged six months or older, I believe these lessons are critical. There are three trained instructors in the Pensacola area that can teach your infant to survival float.

Briony Allan, Heidi Wendt, and Carrie Glass are all passionate and highly-trained instructors that can train your infant at one of a variety of locations. For more information on Infant Swimming Resource or to contact an instructor in our area, click here.

Outdoor Gulf Coast will offer swim lessons and swim parties by an experienced instructor starting June 20th and throughout the summer. We’ll have availability for individual ($20 hr) or group lessons at our pool or yours ($10 per child for hour group lesson of two to five children). Plan a swim lesson play party at your pool with a trained instructor ($5 per child for hour swim party up to ten children). Swimmers will play games that teach proper swim strokes and build endurance while parents relax.

Contact us with the date and number of children!

For group lessons for children of all ages, contact the YMCA and city pools. The YMCA in downtown Pensacola has swimming lessons year round, so you can start preparing your children to be safe in the water this summer.

YMCA Langley Summer Swim Lessons

Ages 6-12 years

Sessions start June 6 and run through August 25.

Cost: $30 session for members, $60 session for participants

Call: (850) 478-1222 to register

Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club Swim School

Prepare your child to swim with the GPAC competitive team in the fall or sign up for a GPAC Summer League team.

Choose your location for summer swim team: UWF, Pensacola State College, Milestone or The Club.

For more info.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. This beautiful park is 1,184 acres of land, located between urban Tallahassee and suburban Leon County. It has formal gardens, two lakes and a series of trails, all on former plantation lands.

The gardens are open year-round and the historic Maclay House Museum is open during blooming season, which is January through April. You can arrange a guided tour by calling the park at (850) 487-4556.

Lake Hall Recreation Area has a playground and picnic tables for taking the kids to play. In the warmer seasons, you can enjoy the swimming area. There is also a dock for fishing and kayaks are also available. Or, you may take a guided tour with The Wilderness Way.

Lake Overstreet has over eight miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Special Events take place throughout the year. Camelia Christmas took place on December 5th with luminary-lit walkways, cookies and apple cider. Santa Claus also made an appearance. Monthly programs include plant care workshops and children’s activities. The gardens are also available for weddings and receptions.

Entrance fee- $6.00

Blackwater River State Park is one of our favorite family outdoor locations. This park is one of the closest state parks to Pensacola, Florida and so it is ideal for a quick getaway.

Blackwater River has been designated a Florida Canoe Trail. The river is part of a statewide system of Greenways and Trails. We first visited Blackwater River State Park a little over a year ago while looking for a nice swimming area and a place to launch our kayak. Since then, we have spent many weekend days playing in the cool refreshing waters.

Chain of Lakes Trail

What can you do at Blackwater River State Park?

• Tubing – grab a tube and relax as you float down Blackwater River
• Kayaking
• Camping – The state park has a nice campground. The campground has full electric hookups, bathroom facilities, playgrounds, and access to the river.
• Hiking – hike the beautiful Chain of Lakes nature trail.
• Have a picnic in the day use area.
• Relax on a white, sandy beach

About Camping at Blackwater River State Park

Relax under the shade of longleaf pines in Blackwater State Park. Easily access Blackwater River from Juniper Lake Nature Trail. At Blackwater you’ll enjoy camping, swimming, and hiking in this beautiful location in Northwest Florida.

• Two campground loops
• 30 campsites
• Water
• Electricity
• Picnic tables
• Playground
• Hot showers, clean restrooms, and a dump station.
• Sites accommodate camping from tents to 35 foot RVs

Day use area at Blackwater River State Park

• Deaton Bridge – Just south of Deaton Bridge is a pay parking area for access to Blackwater River and Chain of Lakes nature trail. This location has picnic tables and BBQ grills. To access the sandy beach cross over Deaton Bridge road and access the beach at the beginning of Chain of Lakes nature trail. There are no restrooms at this location.
• Blackwater River State Park – less than a 1/2 mile north of the Deaton Bridge location is the gate to the Blackwater River State Park day use and campground area. This facility has bathroom facilities, outside showers, pavilions, and access the white sandy beaches on Blackwater River.

View Blackwater River State Park in a larger map

Articles about Blackwater State Park

• Blackwater River Family Kayak Trip
• Chain of Lakes nature trail location/maps
• A Cooler Side To Your Florida Vacation
• Florida State Parks [external link]

Out of the three springs we visited, I was most excited about Vortex Spring. Back in college, my roommate and I did a couple of our scuba training dives here. Vortex Spring was a wooded, peaceful area with warm, 68 degree, clear water. It was the end of February, so our diving class was about the only group out there. At that time, the spring had the diving area and one rope swing. Now, Vortex Spring has a lot more to offer. The water is still beautiful- turquoise and clear. And, of course, being summertime the water feels nice and cool. Since the spring is 68 degrees all year, it’s refreshing any time of the year. However, there are now more amenities for making it a great family place for a day trip or over night camping.

• Camping- there are cabins and tent sites with nearby bathroom facilities.
• Diving-while they have a diving board, we had a great time snorkeling and watching the scuba divers. This is still a great place for scuba diving. There are plenty of fish and even some eel to look at near the entrance to the cave. Cave certified divers especially love Vortex Spring!
• Slides- there are three slides set up in the water for children and adults.
• Play castle- this castle keeps the young children entertained in between swimming.
• Rope swing-the rope swing is still available for the older kids.
• Zip line- this is what my husband and son looked forward to and they took quite a few trips down it. Shawn’s first turn down the zip line had him doing an accidental perfect head first dive. I wish I had captured on camera the look on his face. Thankfully, while it is recommended that you go feet first, the water is deep enough if you take a head first plunge!
• Swimming and floating- have fun swimming or just floating around on a raft or tube.

Nearby Springs:

• Ponce De Leon Springs State Park
• Morrison Springs

View Top 5 Swimming Picks in a larger map

Krul Lake State Recreation is located near Munson, Florida. Krul lake is a 6.5 acre man-made spring fed lake. The cool waters make a fun place to cool down on a hot summer day. There is a public access area with picnic tables and bathroom facilities. The lake has a sandy beach that’s nice for lounging on. There are many swimming docks and swim platforms in the lake. We are sure you will enjoy swimming in clear waters of Krul Lake.

Blackwater River State Park is located east of Milton, Florida. This river has been one of our favorites. The park has a day use parking area with picnic tables and BBQ grills. Just accross the street from the parking area at the entrance to the Chain of Lakes hiking trail is access to a large sandy beach on the Blackwater River. For those feeling a bit adventurous you can bring your tubes and walk up the sandy trails and put in your tubes up the river for a nice relaxing float down the river.

Blackwater River

Fillingim Landing is a new public day use facility located on the Perdido River. The facility has a nice kayak launch, picnic area, and bathrooms. Fillingim Landing has a beach area but be prepared to walk across the river to access it.

Fillingim Landing Launch

Morrison Springs is located near Ponce De Leon, Florida. If you are looking for a beautiful place to cool down Morrison Springs should be added to your list. The water is a crystal clear spring water and a cool 65 degrees.

Morrison Springs swimming platform

Ponce De Leon Springs is located in Ponce De Leon. Ponce De Leon State Park has picnic tables, a covered picnic area and bathroom facilities. This is a beautiful swimming area that’s spring fed. The park also has hiking trails. This is a great place to spend the day.

Ponce De Leon Springs State Park

Have a favorite swimming area?

Ponce De Leon Springs State Park is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. The water is a 68 degree crystal clear spring. This spring is the perfect place to swim and snorkel.

What you will find at Ponce De Leon Springs State Park:

• Swimming and Snorkeling
• Hiking
• Fishing – bring a fishing pole to fish from the banks of Sandy Creek.
• Picnic tables & four Pavilions
• Bathroom facilities

It’s approximately 1 1/2 hours from Pensacola and well worth the little drive. Pack a picnic and some water toys and head on out. If you prefer to get away from the crowds, take your small boat or kayak out for a quiet, paddling adventure.

Morrison Springs is a great place- just see for yourself by watching the video or by clicking on the photos below. Then, drive on out and enjoy it in person.