Christmas on the Blackwater

Just prior to Christmas 2024, five longtime friends ventured out to the Blackwater River in Northwest Florida to paddle and camp on one of the most beautiful rivers in the area. It was an incredible journey!

The Blackwater River is a 56.6 mile long river rising in Southern Alabama and flowing through the Florida panhandle to the Gulf of Mexico. The River enters Florida in Okaloosa County and flows through Santa Rosa County to Blackwater Bay, an arm of Pensacola Bay. It passes through the Blackwater River State Forest and Blackwater River State Park.

31 miles of the river are navigable by canoe, kayak or small boat. The section of the river from Kennedy Bridge near Munson, Florida to Deaton Bridge in the Blackwater River State Park is designated a “Florida Canoe Trail”, part of the statewide system of greenways and trails.

The River flows an average of 2 to 3 miles per hour and has an average depth of 2.5′.

Our trip began as we convoyed from Tallahassee to the Blackwater River State Park in Holt, Florida. We visited the FWC Fish Hatchery near the State Park where several varieties of fresh water fish are reared to be released in nearby lakes and rivers. It was an interesting place. After the Fish Hatchery, we drove to the Blackwater River State Park. The park is very well kept and has bathrooms complete with hot showers. Tents were set and a fire started. Paddlers were serenaded throughout the night by a radio playing Christmas songs from a neighboring campsite!

The weather was cool and clear, however, slight rain was forecast and a light rain did fall during the afternoon of day one. The river water was clear and beautiful, cold but not unbearable.

Debating on whether to camp on a sandbar or a beautiful river bluff the decision was made to camp on the bluff. Paddlers picked out their campsites, tents were pitched and hammocks hung. Paddlers made supper out of Mountain House meals and gathered firewood and built a fire. Soon it was time for sleep but not before paddlers were serenaded by 2 packs of ‘yotes in the river swamp. The waning moon was not long from full and the clear cold night was beautiful with the moon and stars above illuminating the river basin.

Day 2 Begins…

After a great night of camping paddlers awoke and broke camp. Breakfast was made. Today was much colder than yesterday with the skies overcast and winds increasing as a cold front was moving thru. Soon the boats were launched and day 2 began.

Just wow! What an adventure! The beautiful Blackwater River does not disappoint! Day 2 ended just after noon at the Deaton Bridge at the State Park. Although the river meanders on to the Gulf of Mexico, the “Paddling Trail” ends at the Bridge as the river below the bridge is not maintained for paddlers. There is a perfect takeout just past the bridge where we loaded the ‘yaks on the truck and headed home. A great group, a beautiful river and a love of paddling and camping! It doesn’t get any better than this! Until next time………