Blackwater River State Forest

Welcome to one of Florida's largest State Forests, the magnificent Blackwater River State Forest located in northwest Florida on the banks of the Blackwater River not far from the Alabama State Line. The Blackwater River itself starts in Alabama and it is one of the few shifting sand bottom streams remaining in it's natural state for almost it's entire journey to the sea.

Landscapes: The Blackwater River State Forest borders Conecuh National Forest to the north and Eglin Air Force Base to the south and together they help protect the world's largest pine/wiregrass ecosystem. This type of ecosystem once sprawled over 60 million acres of the southeastern United States but today it has been reduced by about 95% to only 3 million acres. The forests landscapes of low rolling hills and floodplains range in elevation from as low as 10 feet ASL to as high as 290 feet ASL.

Flora and Fauna: Blackwater River State Forest helps protect the home of numerous plant and animals species. Some of the plants that grow inside the forest boundaries include southern red oaks, dogwoods, wiregrass, gallberries, water oaks, loblolly pines, longleaf pines, Atlantic White Cedars, and southern magnolias. Some of the wild animals who call this place home include raccoons, squirrels, white-tailed deer, alligators, hawks, and bald eagles. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors Blackwater River State Forest boasts several scenic and popular canoeing rivers including the Blackwater River, Coldwater Creek, Juniper Creek, and Sweetwater Creek, miles of multipurpose trails, and so much more. Come on out and explore.

Blackwater River State Forest grew by about 1,786 acres in June of 2021, and by about another 1,700 in July of 2021. And by another 768 in September of 2022.