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Blackwater River State Park: Blackwater RiverLocated about 48 miles east of Pensacola, this 698 acre forested park offers one of the purest rivers in the U.S. It offers canoeing, swimming, fishing and boating in its waters and nature trails and picnicking on its sandy shores. Beginning 45 miles upstream in Alabama, it continues downstream for 13 miles before emptying into Blackwater Bay. The river's sand bottom, dark tannin waters and contrasting large, white sandbars have drawn worldwide attention and provides the perfect setting for the park. The rivers attracts paddlers and has been designated a Florida canoe trail. The last two miles of the trail are located within the park. The river and diversity of terrain account for the many plant communiteis found int the park. The Blackwater has created oxbows and natural levees that have beome ponds, swamps and scrubby ridges. Low-lying areas along the river and large streams are seasonably inundated by flood waters.
This view of the river can be seen by travelers from the vantage point of I-10 between Tallahassee and Pensacola. taken by Denise Daughtry
Blackwater rivers are usually free of suspended particles due to the filtering action of the sand, but are reddish black in color from the high content of organic tannins that have been leached from decaying vegetation. taken by Micahel ODonovan
Blackwater streams are found in sandy lowlands, mostly in the Panhandle. taken by Michael ODonovan
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