Ruffing It at Blackwater River State Park

This past weekend, we went on a camping adventure at Blackwater River State Park in Holt, Florida which is in the western part of the Florida panhandle.

The 590-acre park is situated along both sides of the Blackwater River.  Though the river has tannin-stained water (from decomposing plant material) it is clean and clear with white sand beaches every so often for relaxing and soaking in the north Florida sun.  The river itself is designated a Florida Canoe Trail and though the park does not rent canoes, there are local outfitters right outside the park entrance.





Blackwater River and its white sand beaches

When we arrived Friday, we immediately set up our campsite.  There are 30 campsites in two campground loops situated among longleaf pine trees.  Some campsites can accommodate tent camping but all can accommodate RV camping which has its pluses: each site has water, electric, a picnic table, a charcoal grill and a fire pit.  The electric is handy if, like us, you do not just bring a camping mattress but the Aerobed!

Though, I will say depending on how you like to camp, the down side of all the sites being RV-ready is the campsites do not feel as "isolated" as some parks that have a separate campground for tenters.  That said, the campground is very family- and dog-friendly (FYI: all Florida State Parks require pets to be on a 6-foot leash while exploring and on a tie out while at the campsite)!  Both campground loops are adjacent to a restroom building (toilets AND hot showers) which was very clean.

After setting up camp, we walked the Juniper Lake Nature Trail which heads at the campground and wanders through the forest and down to a white sand beach beside the river.  Along this trail is a boardwalk that leads to pavilions with charcoal grills and picnic tables for day-trippers.  On this trail we saw many oxbow lakes, filled with cypress trees and cypress stands, which formed when the river overflowed.  The lakes and river are home to lots of wildlife including alligators and birds as well as this little guy - a Cooter turtle.

On Saturday morning, we walked the Chain of Lakes Nature Trail on the south side of the river.  This loop-trail wandered along the river, then went inland a bit where we saw a few more oxbow lakes and then finally lead us into the pine forest. 

At some spots it looked as though I was Toto leading us into the Haunted Forest.

"Lions, tigers and bears...OH MY!"

But then the trail opened up and we were surrounded by very tall pine trees.  The forest was beautiful and in typical Florida fashion, there were little palm trees and native grasses growing among the pines.

All in all, Blackwater River State Park was a TERRIERIFIC camping adventure.  I bet the forest is even more beautiful in the Spring when more of the plant life is in bloom.  If you like a great camping adventure and are near (or are traveling to) north Florida, I highly recommend Blackwater River State Park. 

I give Blackwater River State Park a Dog-Friendly Rating of 4 Dog Bones!

With my Nite Dawg collar on at camp

Before I leave you with a few more photos from my trip, I want to give a "Woof-out" to the kind folks at SafetyGearOnline.  A while back, they sent me the Nite Dawg LED Collar to review and I must say the collar worked AWESOME at night at the campsite.  No one had to worry about losing me thanks to my light-up collar!

Now...a few more photos from my trip!