Blackwater River State Park — Attraction in Milton

We had a great time camping at Blackwater River State Park. We were there in January and the campground was generally pretty full, but somehow very quiet and peaceful.

The bathhouse, shared between 30 campsites, was clean and the showers were hot.

As mentioned by everyone else, the park is meticulously kept, the level gravel lots raked and leaves blown between campers, and the undergrowth cut back neatly from trails, buildings and structures.

We didn't spend time in/on the water, but still found lots of activities in the area. We like to bike/hike and go to museums.

We enjoyed riding our bikes on the Blackriver Heritage State Trail--a 18.5-mile paved multi-use rail trail with trailhead in nearby Milton. The paved roads out into the state forest are perfect for road bikes: wide, straight, mostly untrafficed, with a few low hills.

We also drove 1.5 hours to Seaside on the coast to ride on the Timpoochee trail...also a great ride, esp to the west where it's less built up.

We hiked on the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) that goes through the park near the campground. We also drove out to Red Rock to hike on the FNST out there. The landscape was much more interesting out there and definitely worth the short drive.

We visited Milton's charming downtown (the swinging bridge, the Riverwalk and Veteran's Memorial, the Historical Society's museum and the impressive Railroad Museum.)

Even though this park is out in the middle of a state forest, it's not far from everything you need:. Walmart and Lowe's are 30 minutes away, and there are several RV parts/repair shops...

We recently stayed at this park and had a great time. Helpful staff both volunteer and Rangers at the Station. They also offer a nice selection of Park Patches and Pins which we collect. The sites were gravel over packed clay or sand; level with fire pit and ours had a drying line and small wooden rail fence along the back. Full hook ups with electric, water and sewer. Nice separation between sites. Bathouse and toilets were very clean and not just in the morning, but whenever we visited you could tell they were regularly inspected during the day. The host family - a brother and sister were very kind and visited each site every morning to pickup trash. The nearby playground was well maintained. Some flooding prevented exploring all of the trails but we were able to use the board walks and visit the beach. We had planned to take a canoe trip but due to the high level of the river we opted out. The main approach to the park was flooded on our arrival day, but the alternate entrance (sent to use via email) was only 20-mins longer. By our departure date the main route was open. We were visited by a pair of raccoons each night and from their size it's apparent they have a healthy diet from the park trash so don't leave anything out at night. They are quite bold and actually came into our site while we were sitting around the fire. A few well aimed sticks sent them on their way. This is a very nice park and we will definitely visit again. Forgot to mention, about 8-miles away is Wilson Mill and 3rd generation owned business. Very nice folks and...

First state park visit in Florida was a good one!

I recently visited Blackwater River State Park in Florida, and it was an incredible experience. The park is stunningly beautiful, with towering pine trees and the serene Blackwater River winding through it.

Cost is $4 a person and that covers you if you decide to go to the main entrance or park at the other areas where the trailheads are.

Park has clean and functioning restrooms and tables for picnics. I do believe they have pavilions to rent as well.

The hiking trails were well-maintained and offered a mix of scenery, from lush forests to open views of the river. They were easy enough for beginners but still interesting for more experienced hikers. I also loved kayaking on the river; the slow-moving current made it an ideal spot for a calm and relaxing paddle.

The campground was fantastic—clean, quiet, and surrounded by nature. The sites were spacious and private, with great amenities like clean bathrooms and showers. It’s evident the park staff takes pride in keeping the area well-maintained. They were also very friendly and provided helpful information about the park and nearby activities.

One highlight of my trip was just how peaceful and quiet the trails are once you get away from the camp grounds. The trail I took was the juniper trail.

If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway where you can hike, camp, kayak, or just relax by a pristine river, I can’t recommend Blackwater River State Park enough. It’s a hidden gem in Florida that I can’t wait...