Blackwater River State Park is located in the far upper western area of Florida. There is little to no cell phone or internet coverage in this area but it is a very pretty place to spend some time camping. The Blackwater River is a shallow meandering river that runs all through the park. There are sandy white beaches in several areas so that visitors can swim, float, canoe or kayak down the river. There are several ponds in the area and, of course, it abounds with wildlife. During the summer months, the mosquitoes outnumber everyone and you need to watch out for snakes and other creepy crawlies. The hiking trails are mostly wooden boardwalks all around the area with restrooms at several points along the way. We think winter is probably the best time to camp there but not to swim. It is an extremely popular place and we had a difficult time trying to coordinate our stay. Sadly, we ended up only being able to stay 4 days during the week. If you would like to visit make sure you reserve at least a couple of months in advance. There is not much of anything close to the park and you will have to go into the south to Milton or north to Crestview both about 20 minutes or so away from the park for supplies.
The campsites are spacious, rock-lined with a water, electric, sewers, picnic table, clothes line, barbecue and fire pit. There are two designated camping areas with a largely rounded bathhouse in between the two areas. This park’s personnel asked that you set out your trash each morning so that the ranger/campground hosts can come by and pick it up. The only dumpster is located at the far Day Use parking area and is quite a hike. It was a nice touch none-the-less. In the campground, we stayed there was a center circle area with a children’s playground and an older bathroom that is no longer in use but looks to be a supply area for the campground host. Everything seemed well-maintained. Other than the fact that the park is located in the corner of the state next to the Georgia and Alabama lines and that there is little to no cell phone/internet services we would like to visit this place again.
Blackwater River State Park
7720 Deaton Bridge Road
Holt, Florida 32564
(850) 983-5363
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blackwater-River
Admission Fee:
$4.00 per vehicle. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required. Limit 8 people per vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in the vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Picnic Pavilion Rental Fees:
$35.00 per day, plus tax.
Camping Fee:
$20.00 per night, plus tax. Includes water and electricity. Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older or who hold a social security disability award certificate or a 100 percent disability award certificate from the Federal Government are permitted to receive a 50 percent discount on current base campsite fees. Proof of eligibility
CAMPSITES: (27)
20 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 2
25 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 1
30 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 6
35 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 9
40 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 4
45 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 1
50 Back-in Up to 50Amp – 4
GET WHAT YOU NEED WHILE YOU ARE THERE
GROCERIES
Harold Store
10535 U.S. 90
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-1672
Winn-Dixie
5428 Dogwood Drive
Milton, FL 32570
Dogwood Park Shopping Center
(850) 626-9800
http://winndixie.com
Winn-Dixie
1326 North Ferdon Boulevard
Crestview, FL 32536
(850) 689-1551
http://winndixie.com
Publix
2250 South Ferdon Boulevard
Crestview, FL 32536
(850) 682-0942
http://publix.com
LAUNDRY
Round Palace Coin Laundry Dry
401 Wilson Street North
Crestview, FL 32536
(850) 682-6854
PROPANE
Camping World
6242 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Gulf Breeze, Fl 32563
(850) 939-3484
Dowdle Gas
9550 Pensacola Blvd
Pensacola FL 32504
(850) 477-4733
8am-5pm M-F
SUPPLIES
Walmart Supercenter
3351 S Ferdon Blvd
Crestview, Fl 32526
(850) 682-8001
www.walmart.com
Camping World
6242 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Gulf Breeze, Fl 32563
(850) 939-3484
MEDICAL SERVICES
Santa Rosa Medical Center
6002 Berryhill Road
Milton, FL 32570
(850) 626-7762
http://www.srmcfl.com/
North Okaloosa Medical Center
151 East Redstone Avenue
Crestview, Florida 32539
850-689-8100
http://www.northokaloosa.com/pages/home.aspx
Map of the Area
