This area is now added our paddle map. We’ve launched our kayak from this location in the past and recently, we put in our paddleboards. It’s a beautiful place to paddle and enjoy the lower section of Blackwater River.

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]

Blackwater River State Forest and the surrounding area has carved a niche along the Florida panhandle as a one-stop adventure destination. In fact, the town of Milton, located northeast of Pensacola, was designated “Canoe Capital of Florida” by the legislature in 1980 and proudly maintains the title today. The Blackwater area has something for almost everyone: hiking, kayaking, camping, swimming, horseback riding and off-road cycling.

Canoeing and Kayaking

There are several places throughout the Blackwater area for paddlers to find adventure. Prime destinations include Blackwater River, Juniper Creek, Cold Water Creek and the nearby Yellow River. The Blackwater River System including Juniper and Cold Water are pristine sand bottom waterways with numerous large sandbars which are perfect for picnics or camping.

Sweetwater Creek, although still referenced on many paddling maps, is not recommended for paddling due to the number of log jams and poor access at Munson School Bridge. It is a short rambo section that merges with Juniper Creek which is by far the prettiest section of waterway with its towering clay bluffs in the upper section below Red Rock Bridge.

For paddlers who don’t have access to their own kayak or canoe there are several outfitters in the area that provide rentals and shuttle service in the Blackwater area. The two most popular are Adventures Unlimited and Blackwater Canoe Rental and Outpost. Both of which provide trips ranging from $20-$25 per person with a two person minimum.

For canoeists and kayakers looking to do more fishing than paddling there are several large man-made lakes in the area. Hurricane Lake, Karrick Lake and Bear Lake offer fishing, camping and hiking trails. Bone Creek Recreation Area is a day use pond that allows fishing, swimming and canoeing.

Camping, Hiking and Mountain Biking

The Blackwater system covers such a large area that it would take several days to fully explore its wonders. The best way to see the area is to plan a camping trip at one of the many campgrounds and use it as a base camp while exploring the rest of of the local area. The nearby towns of Milton, Munson and Holt provide easy access to supplies should one run low on supplies.

Camping is allowed along the rivers and at designated shelters along some of the area trails such as the Florida Trail and Jackson Redground Trail. Blackwater River State Park offers camping for a small fee, as does Krul Recreation Area, Karick Lake, Hurricane Lake and Bear Lake. More camping opportunities can be found within the Blackwater WMA and the Blackwater Hutton Unit.

Cyclists can test their skills at the six mile Bear Lake mountain bike trail or at the newly constructed Blackwater State Forest MTB trail near the Red Rock Bridge. Currently 8 miles are available with the intention to add more mileage in the future.

Horseback Riding in Blackwater State Forest

Equestrians will enjoy riding the currently 15 miles of open trails along the Coldwater Recreation Area. Recent flooding has the remainder of the trails under repair. Coldwater Recreation Area offers camping, stables and dining facilities, all of which require a Reservations. For reservations call 850-957-6161 weekdays between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm Central Time. As required in Florida, all horses must have proof of current negative Coggins test results when on state lands.

I’ve lived here for years and I never realized you could access the river without renting a kayak or tube. This summer I began searching for a good swimming hole and a place we could put in our kayak without having to rent one. After reading up on a few blogs and searching google maps we discovered Blackwater River State Park was just the place. At Blackwater River you only need to pay the $4 parking fee and you are all set.

If you want to try out that tube or kayak with your family but do not want a long trip, we discovered some easy access points. I’ve mapped out the two our family has enjoyed. Our kids are 5 and 7 and they were the perfect trip length. Along the river, we stopped at a sandy beach where our son and I played on a rope swing.

You will probably want to bring two cars for a river trip. With two cars you can leave one at the end of the trip and take the other to the beginning. And, you don’t even need a kayak. There are big and inexpensive tubes available at your local CVS or Walgreens that are perfect for a leisurely float.

This summer our family enjoyed quite a few days on the river. From the parking lot, we discovered an easy access to a sugar white beach on the refreshing river. To get to the beach access, cross the street and follow what is called the Chain of Lakes trail. It’s just a short distance away. Our kids made friends and had a blast playing in the river.

We spent the whole Sunday before school started back, kayaking and playing on the river beach. We ended the day, cooking burgers on the barbecue grills and even let the kids roast marshmallows left over from the previous weekend’s campout.

Ahhh, what a fun way to build lasting summer memories with the kids and without the long drives.

Go Explore!

There is a $4 parking fee.  Parking lot is across the street from the trail.

To access the trail from Interstate 10 go north on Route 87. From 87 go east on U.S. Highway 90. From 90 go north on Deaton Bridge Road. The park is approximately 3 miles north.

Have you hike this trail? Let us know your comments below.

Download Blackwater River Topo Map

Chain of Lakes Trail