Blackwater River State Park
Blackwater River State Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This river, which runs from Alabama to Florida, is considered one of the purest sandbottom rivers in the world.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
106 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
33
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
3
thefamily3
Lafayette, IN429 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
We camped 5 nts here and loved every minute!! It’s the cleanest most friendly campground you’d ever want to stay in. The rangers there are helpful and knowledgeable especially Aimee she bent over backwards to make our stay perfect!! The trails and picnic area along the River are so pretty 😍 . We will definitely b back !! Note that it’s a very small campground so make your reservation early! If you want a delicious meal visit the gator cafe at Baker Florida yummy!
Written December 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy L
Las Cruces, NM72 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
I lived in Pensacola for years before going to Blackwater State Park and renting a kayak from Blackwater Canoe Rental. Everyone working at the Blackwater Canoe Rental was very friendly and seemed genuinely happy and like they were enjoying their jobs. There's a little store where you pay for the kayak trip, which sells snacks, sunscreen and such. You'll want to take a lunch and water and whatever other supplies you need for spending a day outdoors. Everyone meets up in the parking area and a truck loaded with kayaks comes along and gives you a ride down to the launching off point. It's rather a fun ride, in the back of the truck outfitted with bench seats. Although the whole group starts off together, everyone starts splitting up as some people paddle vigorously and others stop for photo ops or to check out the beaches. Pretty soon you're kayaking along with just the person you came with, and you feel like you have the whole river to yourself. It's very relaxing, almost like tubing. If you don't want to paddle at all, you'll float along at a lazy pace and just need to occasionally steer a bit to avoid a branch. You can stop whenever you want- there's great beaches all along the way and whenever you're in the mood, you can beach your kayak or canoe and get out for a bit of exploring or snacking. We saw some turtles and hawks and although at first we had planned to get exercise, we ended up being lazy and it was a very peaceful experience just meandering down the river and enjoying the beautiful day. We took the long trip and it was wonderful; for kids or people who don't want to be out so long, perhaps the shorter trip would be better. One of the very convenient ways that the company sets up the trip, is that you end back at the parking lot where you parked your car. So you just paddle up to the beach where the man who originally drove you to the launch point is waiting, and he pulls your kayak up onto the beach, you get out and your car is 100 feet away. Very handy.
Written August 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine J
Florida149 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
Beautiful river. Used Blackwater Canoe Rental and did the short trip (4 miles). Took 4 hours (made lots of stops). Great service. Went with my husband and two kids (10 and 6). We fit comfortably in one canoe. Bring seat cushions and a hat, the sun really beats down. We brought snacks and enjoyed it on one of the numerous beaches. Wish we brought a full lunch to enjoy. Bring cash for the honor box parking. Would absolutely do this again, but the longer trip next time.
Written January 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NavyNurse412
Swansboro, NC23 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
We stayed here for 2 nights at the end of May. The campground was nice although the racoons were ruthless and fearless if you had an ounce of anything left out (we definitely learned the hard way.) Even closed containers such as unopened mustard or ketchup were fair game for these guys. The more disturbing issue was that of bees that seemed to get progressively worse over the 2 days. On a positive note we did love tubing down the river. We attached a cooler and just let the casual current take us for the ride. At times it seemed the river was all ours as we wouldn't see human life for an hour or so.
Written August 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly_campers
Madison, AL42 contributions
Jul 2013
Had an awesome time with the husband and dog. The campsite is spacious and clean with gravel They use a weed blower to clean out the site and level the gravel when the previous campers leave so it's perfect when you arrive. The park rangers and staff put a lot of effort in keeping the area up. During our stay it had rained a week straight before our arrival so the black water river itself was not being used for canoeing but instead we did the 7 mile canoe ride down juniper river using the blackwater canoe rental about a half mile up the road from the park. My husband and I had a wonderful time along with our dog stopping along the many mini beaches, picnicking, fishing, and splashing around in the water. We would def visit again.
Written July 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike F
Riverview, FL24 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
Good state park in NW Florida. Tannin makes the river's water appear black. Many white-quartz sand bars, islands and shore lines to stop at. Wonderful spot for flat water activities.
Written February 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morgan G
Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States6 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
We stayed one night and tent camped in the campground it was very clean and well kept. Our site was perfect had everything we needed and just a short walk to the bathhouse which was also clean. We walked on the trail down to the river and the water was clear and nice we will be coming back in the summer and putting our canoe in the water. We will defianlty be back again. Great little weekend get away but close to home. Defiantly stop at the Piggly Wiggly on the way in its the cutest littlest store I have ever been in. The people are nice and they even have a boars head deli and they will make you a sandwich to order.
Written October 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunkissedshadow
64 contributions
We love this place. We live 25 minutes from here & could easily drive here for the day, but we choose to come here to camp! It's definitely the best campground in our area! Clean bathrooms/good showers/nice boardwalks around/ clean well kept camp sites. It also has a trail right down to a huge white sandbar on beautiful blackwater river. Camping doesn't get much better in the area!
Do it!
Do it!
Written August 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cary W
Valdosta, GA1 contribution
Jul 2014 • Family
Me and my family of eight decided to take our first camping trip in a tent. The campground was very clean, and the staff and other campers were very friendly. The bathrooms are well maintained, clean, and spacious. The river is nice for canoeing, tubing, and swimming. The hiking trail was a great experience for the children. The camp site had all the amenities we needed like, electricity, water, grill, and fire ring. I would definitely recommend this facility to anyone looking a enjoy a nice camping trip alone or with the family. The price to camp per night is very cheap. It was an amazing experience.
Written July 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mhartsgrove
Houston, TX20 contributions
Apr 2014
Too bad the river was flooded, flooding roads too. We came with our canoe & kayak from Ohio. Park was very nice, cleanest bathrooms we've seen. We only stayed 2 days bc lack of activities bc river was flooded. They were great to refund us back the nights we didn't stay. We would came back when it's not flooded.
Written April 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I did not see any boat rentals in the park, but it was also Feb. Not prime boat/kayak/canoe rental season. I THINK (not 100% certain) we saw a sign for rentals several miles outside of the park.
"Near" the park is Adventures Unlimited in Milton, FL. We've rented kayaks from them during other trips to this area of FL.
Written February 7, 2022
Are there any trails to do an overnight camping hike? A 5 or 10 mile hike one way would be perfect.
Written April 15, 2017
The Juniper Trail in the Black Water State Forest ("adjacent" to the park) is 8+ miles one way. Could hike in, spend the nt and hike back out.
Written February 7, 2022
Any hiking trails
I want to do an overnighter. Five or ten Miles is about right.
Written April 15, 2017
There is minimal hiking trails right at the campground. However, the Florida trail is close and you can go for as long as you'd like on that.
Written April 15, 2017
Tubing sounds like fun but how clean is the water? Is the water clear or filled with tannin and should we be worried about alligators? Also, I am unclear if the Blackwater Canoe Rental is located inside or outside the actual State Park?
Written August 2, 2015
The sandy bottom is very nice. It is not "crystal" clear, it does have some tannin. No alligators, they have to put signs up just in case. I have been going to the park for over 25 years and have never seen a gator on tubing or canoe trips. Blackwater canoe is just outside the park on Denton road. Hope you have fun in NW FL!
Written August 3, 2015
What is the nearest lodging to the River?
Written April 25, 2015
Are there cabins at the Park? If not, where to stay to be close to the River.
Written April 25, 2015
There are no cabins within Blackwater River State Park. However there are two camping loops with gravel Base Sites and a full bath house between the loops.
Written July 7, 2015
Can you give me some information about outfitters who we can get canoes from? we will have 3 families with kids aged 3-18
Written March 1, 2015
I have talked with folks who used rentals and these come recommended:
Blackwater canoe
Adventures Unlimited, Milton FL
This response site would not let me link html or websites. Google outfitters Blackwater River, Milton FL. Should bring up the web sites.
Hope you can make this trip. The location is also close to some of the best beaches in Florida...Gulf Islands National Seashore...especially the Perdido Key section (aka Johnson's Beach). In Summer..bring bug repellent.
Written March 2, 2015
Can you give me some information about outfitters who we can get canoes from? we will have 3 families with kids aged 3-18
Written March 1, 2015
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