Blackwater River State Park

Blackwater River State Park A favorite destination for canoeists and kayakers, Blackwater River State Park offers opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities.
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Don’t forget about our fantastic campground! The river is one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the nation, making this park a popular place for swimming, fishing, camping, and paddling. Shaded campsites are just a short walk from the river and a picnic pavilion overlooks the river. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy strolling along trails through the more than 600 acres of undisturbed natural commun

ities. In 1980 the park was certified as a Registered State Natural Feature for its exceptional illustration of Florida's natural history. One of the largest and oldest Atlantic white cedars stands among the many that line the river and, in 1982, it was recognized as a Florida Champion tree. The park offers two nature trails, picnic areas, and 30 campsites. Campsite amenities include water, electricity (20/30/50 amp), on-site sewer and a bathhouse.

Today’s event, Poetry in the pines, is being postponed until further notice due to rain in the forecast. Please monitor ...
11/10/2024

Today’s event, Poetry in the pines, is being postponed until further notice due to rain in the forecast. Please monitor our web page at https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blackwater-river-state-park for the new event date! We apologize for any inconvenience! In the meantime, enjoy this poem selected to reflect today’s weather.

Robert Frost
1874 –
1963
The line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift,
The road is forlorn all day,
Where a myriad snowy quartz stones lift,
And the hoof-prints vanish away.
The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee,
Expend their bloom in vain.
Come over the hills and far with me,
And be my love in the rain.

The birds have less to say for themselves
In the wood-world’s torn despair
Than now these numberless years the elves,
Although they are no less there:
All song of the woods is crushed like some
Wild, easily shattered rose.
Come, be my love in the wet woods; come,
Where the boughs rain when it blows.

There is the gale to urge behind
And bruit our singing down,
And the shallow waters aflutter with wind
From which to gather your gown.
What matter if we go clear to the west,
And come not through dry-shod?
For wilding brooch shall wet your breast
The rain-fresh goldenrod.

Oh, never this whelming east wind swells
But it seems like the sea’s return
To the ancient lands where it left the shells
Before the age of the fern;
And it seems like the time when after doubt
Our love came back amain.
Oh, come forth into the storm and rout
And be my love in the rain.

Blackwater River boasts an incredible array of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, many centered around the park’s namesake waterway.

Looking for a way to walk off your thanksgiving dinner this weekend? Come out to enjoy the fall displays along our hikin...
11/25/2022

Looking for a way to walk off your thanksgiving dinner this weekend?
Come out to enjoy the fall displays along our hiking trails! A short 1.5 mile hike around the Chain of Lakes trail will guide you along the scenic Blackwater River and out through our upland longleaf pines. The Florida trail system has two trailheads accessible from the park. The Hutton Trail leads 5 miles south to hwy 90 and the Juniper Creek trail leads 8 miles north to red rock rd.
Don’t miss out on how fall dresses the Longleaf Ecosystem! While maples and sweet gum turn from yellow to red overhead, the impressingly diverse ground cover is just as festive! Ferns and summer sweets pale behind the grass and fall flower seeds, sumac competes red with the turkey oaks, and muscadine connects the ground to canopy with brilliant yellows.
There’s a chance for rain on Saturday so bring your rain gear, or come out Sunday with your hiking coats!
Our friendly rangers will be around to serve your needs and answer your questions.
See you there!

09/14/2022

Tortoise or turtle?
All tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises! Here are some easy ways to tell them apart:
🐢 Tortoises, like our native gopher tortoises, are terrestrial – meaning they live on land and not in the water. Most turtles, like our native freshwater and sea turtles, live in water bodies but can also move on land (for nesting or, in the case of freshwater turtles, basking in the sun). Exceptions exist though — species like box turtles primarily live on land instead of in the water!

🐢 Tortoises have thick legs and feet that help them move more easily on land, while turtles have webbed feet and/or flipper-like legs to help them move smoothly through the water. The gopher tortoise also has shovel-like forelimbs that help them dig burrows which provide refuge to over 350 other species, called commensals.

Interested in learning ways to tell gopher tortoises apart from native turtles and nonnative tortoises? Visit: https://bit.ly/3Bgh38v

We are seeking input from the public on draft revisions to the Gopher Permitting Guidelines; want to learn more? Join our webinar this afternoon: https://bit.ly/3Bcm7em

And Tortoise’s! We have Gopher Tortoise’s here at the park! One has her burrow close to the Ranger Station and she likes...
06/20/2022

And Tortoise’s! We have Gopher Tortoise’s here at the park! One has her burrow close to the Ranger Station and she likes to roam the road shoulders to collect food and to soak in that warm Florida sun.
Make sure when in the park, we follow all traffic rules, to protect our little ones from any danger. Remember to share the road!
What should you do if you see a Tortoise?
They are completely illegal in the state of Florida to disturb. Just let our park rangers know if you see one!

The river is high, and the trails are a little bit wet this weekend.. but don’t fret things should be normal this upcomi...
04/09/2022

The river is high, and the trails are a little bit wet this weekend.. but don’t fret things should be normal this upcoming week! Come out and see us between 8-7pm and enjoy what our beautiful area has to offer.

The view from the bridge this morning! It is going to be a beautiful Florida day ☀️🌴 Come out and visit us! Wether you a...
03/27/2022

The view from the bridge this morning! It is going to be a beautiful Florida day ☀️🌴 Come out and visit us! Wether you are local or visiting we welcome all!
Just $4.00 gets you in until 6:30pm!

Everything is a little wet this morning! But don’t worry it should be over by tomorrow.
03/20/2022

Everything is a little wet this morning! But don’t worry it should be over by tomorrow.

02/26/2022

Hey State Park family!
Did you know we offer a program for kids, called ‘The Jr. Ranger Program’ ?
Kids of all ages can come to the park, stop by at the ranger station and pick up an activity booklet. The kids will be rewarded with a Jr. Ranger Badge. After completion of the packet, bring them back to the ranger station to do the ranger pledge (depending on weather, we do the pledge at the flag pole) and receive a free entry to any state park!
For any questions feel free to call us anytime between 8am-5:30pm, 365 days a year!

What a beautiful sunset at the park tonight!Don’t forget we are open 365 days a year! Come out and see us between 8-5, d...
12/03/2021

What a beautiful sunset at the park tonight!
Don’t forget we are open 365 days a year! Come out and see us between 8-5, don’t forget your fur babies are welcome as well ☺️

11/30/2021

Has anyone lost a cat recently while camping or in the Blackwater river area? If so, describe your cat. This baby is lost 😞

It’s a beautiful way to end the weekend here at the park. Come out and take a hike to see the beautiful sights the folia...
11/28/2021

It’s a beautiful way to end the weekend here at the park. Come out and take a hike to see the beautiful sights the foliage has to offer.

Address

7720 Deaton Bridge Road
Holt, FL
32564

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(850) 983-5363

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