BLACKWATER RIVER STATE PARK

By  Mike Miller June 10, 2025

Blackwater River State Park in Holt, Florida, spans 590 acres. It centers around the Blackwater River, a pristine waterway.

Visitors enjoy canoeing, kayaking, tubing, camping, and hiking. The park lies within the Blackwater River State Forest, home to a rare longleaf pine ecosystem.

Its white sand beaches and clear waters attract nature lovers. The park offers a peaceful escape for outdoor enthusiasts.

Turtle basking at Blackwater River State Park

The Blackwater River region has a rich history. In the 1700s, Creek Indian tribes lived here. The river marked a boundary between upper and lower Creek hunting grounds.

A trading trail connected tribes from Georgia to Pensacola. In the 1800s, settlers built lumber mills and turpentine stills. Tensions rose during the Seminole Wars.

In 1837, conflicts between settlers and Creek tribes led to violence. By 1840, many Native Americans were displaced or killed.

The park opened in 1968 with 360 acres. It expanded in 1981 with 290 more acres from the state forest. 

The park is at 7720 Deaton Bridge Road, Milton, FL 32564 in Holt, 15 miles northeast of Milton. From I-10, take Exit 31, head north on SR 87, turn right on US 90, then left on Deaton Bridge Road.

It’s open daily from 8 AM to sunset. Pets are welcome but must stay leashed and off beaches. Campers need reservations for the 30-site campground.

Bring supplies, as the nearest grocery store is 15 miles away. Kayak and canoe rentals are available through Blackwater Canoe Rental, just outside the park. Bug repellent is recommended in summer. 

• The Blackwater River is one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the nation.  

• Its name comes from the Muscogee term “Oka-lusa,” meaning “water black,” due to tannin-tinted water.  

• The park is part of the largest longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem, rarer than a tropical rainforest.  

• An Atlantic white cedar in the park was named a Florida Champion tree in 1982.  

• No alligators have been reported on tubing or canoe trips in over 25 years.  
  
  
• The river flows from Alabama to Florida, ending in Blackwater Bay. 

BLACKWATER RIVER STATE PARK WEBSITE