Weekend Trip: Explore The Blackwater State Forest

June 2, 2018

It’s time to get outside and explore the local area.  In neighboring Santa Rosa County, a terrific destination for a variety of outdoor activities is the Blackwater River State Park.

Visitors can canoe, kayak, tube, fish and swim the river.  Hikers can enjoy trails through nearly 600 acres of undisturbed natural communities.  Bring a picnic and hang out at one of several pavilions or white sand beaches that dot the river (restroom facilities available).  Near the pavilions, stop and see one of the largest and oldest Atlantic white cedars, recognized as a Florida Champion tree in 1982. The park also offers 30 campsites for tents and RVs.  Park entry is $4 per car, payable at the ranger station or via the honor system with exact change.

The Blackwater River is considered one of the purest and pristine sand-bottom rivers in the world. The water is tea-colored from the tannins and organic matter that color the water as it weaves through the predominantly pine forest.  The river is shallow with a beautiful white sandy bottom, a nice feature for those tubing or paddling the trail. The river flows for over 50 miles and is designated as a Florida canoe trail.  Multiple small sand beach areas line the river and provide plenty of space to hang out, picnic, or throw a Frisbee.  Blackwater eventually flows into Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico bringing high quality freshwater into this important estuary.

A favorite trail in the Park is the Chain of Lakes Nature Trail.  Parking for this 1.75 mile loop trail is at South Bridge on Deaton Bridge Road.  The trail head is well marked and has a boardwalk that leads into the floodplain forest.  The trail winds through a chain of shallow oxbow lakes and swamp that dot the former route of the river.  On a clear, blue-sky day, you may see a beautiful rainbow effect as the sun hits the water. It’s called the pastel swamp rainbow effect.  This is a result of the natural oils from the cypress cones settling on the surface of the water and associated trapped pollen.

The trail then turns to sneak through the sandhill community in the park with giant longleaf pines, wiregrass and turkey oak.  Evidence of prescribed burning shows management efforts to maintain the forest.  Cinnamon ferns, bamboo and other natives appear in pockets along the trail.  The trail in this section is blanketed with a mosaic of exposed root systems, so be careful as you step.  Bug spray and a water bottle are recommended.

by Laura Tiu, UF/IFAS


Comments

2 Responses to “Weekend Trip: Explore The Blackwater State Forest”

  1. Michelle Henderson on June 4th, 2018 8:56 am

    This is a beautiful park! Much nature to see and enjoy. I am afraid pollution will destroy our parks in the next 10 years. Co2 emmissions from gas powered vehicles are destroying our area. We need to stand up to corporate America and demand a $50 hike on ALL gas powered engines including chainsaws and lawnmowers. Demand a gas tax and emmissions testing for all gas vehicles. Let’s do what we can now to clean earth up! Let’s go Escambia!!!!

  2. Grand Locust on June 2nd, 2018 10:08 am

    I was always told that the Yellow River is the most pristine river in Florida. Tea colored water which has leached organic material to stain the water is not my cup of tea, I prefer the clean clear water in rivers in Northeastern Florida. The white sand though is beautiful. I wish there were more public access launches on the lower Blackwater River so people could explore the natural beauty of our waterways. The beaches are beautiful and tourists flock to them, but there is so much more natural beauty than just the beaches and tourists need to discover the natural beauty of inland panhandle Florida.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News