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F L O R I DA / A L A B A M A L I N E
SANTA ROSA
OKALOOSA
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10
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90
Holt
Baker
Milton
Harold
Bagdad
Munson
Milligan
Allentown
Berrydale
Cannon Town
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0 4 82 Miles
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B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r
P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 2
P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 2
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r
P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 3
P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 3
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r
P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 1
P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 1
F l o r i d a D e s i g n a t e d
F l o r i d a D e s i g n a t e d
P a d d l i n g T r a i l s
P a d d l i n g T r a i l s
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r
Wetlands
Water
Designated Paddling Trail Index
Designated Paddling Trail
MATTIE KENNEDY RD
EADIE COTTON RD
SHERMAN KENNEDY RD
PEADON BRIDGE RD
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Y
B
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4
K
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HIGH BRIDGE RD
Blackwater River State Forest
OKALOOSA
Cannon Town
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Access Point 1: Kennedy Bridge Launch
N: 30.9333 W: -86.7358
Access Point 2: Peadon Bridge Launch
N: 30.8823 W: -86.7312
0 1 20.5 Miles
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B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 1
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 1
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Access Point 3: Cotton Bridge Launch
N: 30.8336 W: -86.7336
I*
Þ
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Florida Conservation Lands
Wetlands
Canoe/Kayak Launch
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Potable Water
Þ
Blackwater River
Designated Paddling Trail
Restrooms
I*
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4
Blackwater River State Forest
CHARLIE FOSTER RD
OKALOOSA
SANTA ROSA
POPLAR HEAD CHURCH RD
NORMAN RILEY RD
CHARLIE FOSTER RD
CORDUROY RD
MARTIN MILL RD
PENNY CREEK RD
LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH RD
BROOKS RD
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0 1 20.5 Miles
Access Point 3: Cotton Bridge Launch
N: 30.8336 W: -86.7336
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 2
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 2
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Þ
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Florida Conservation Lands
Wetlands
Canoe/Kayak Launch
!|
Potable Water
Þ
Blackwater River
Designated Paddling Trail
Restrooms
I*
BRYANT BRIDGE RD
£
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90
§
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10
DEATON BRIDGE RD
Blackwater River State Forest
SANTA ROSA
SF J40
Blackwater River
State Park
KELLY MILL RD
OKALOOSA
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Access Point 4: Bryant Bridge Launch
N: 30.7243 W: -86.7931
Access Point 6: Blackwater River State Park
(Deaton Bridge Launch)
N: 30.7043 W: -86.8815
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Þ
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!9
B
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Y
A
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Access Point 5: Johnson's Float Launch
N: 30.7077 W: -86.8514
B
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0
1 20.5 Miles
Milton
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Florida Conservation Lands
Wetlands
Potable Water
Þ
Florida State Parks
Blackwater River
Designated Paddling Trail
Restrooms
I*
Canoe/Kayak Launch
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!9
Camping
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 3
B l a c k w a t e r R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 3
Blackwater River Paddling Trail Guide
The Waterway
This winding stream is suitable for beginners and flows through the unspoiled Blackwater River
State Forest, with trees often forming a dense, shady canopy over the river. High bluffs occur in
some sections where pine and cedar trees tower above paddlers. The water is coffee colored by
naturally occurring tannins, the reason why Creek Indians called the river “Oka Lusa” (“black
water”). White sandbars provide plenty of options for camping or picnicking.
The Paddling Experience
The lower portion of this popular 31-mile paddling trail can become congested with people floating in
tubes near the state park, especially on summer weekends and holidays. Plan a trip for weekdays or
during Florida’s pleasant winter months to avoid crowds. Paddlers should check stream flow data and
weather conditions before embarking on a trip. The Blackwater River can rise very quickly and make
paddling difficult and conditions dangerous. Many of the access sites are remote with unsafe overnight
parking; consider parking and shuttle with a local outfitter listed below. The river is not navigable
below the Deaton Bridge in Blackwater River State Park; be sure to exit here. Glass containers
are prohibited on the river. Note: If the Blackwater River gauge near Baker is over 6 feet in height,
contact area outfitters or Blackwater River State Park for current river conditions before paddling as
the river may be flooded.
Access Points
Blackwater River Paddling Trail Guide
#1, Start of the Trail, Kennedy Bridge. Be aware that fallen trees may occasionally block the river
between Kennedy Bridge and Peadon Bridge. Check with local outfitters for current conditions.
Directions: From Munson, take SR 4 east 2.7 miles to Hurricane Lake Road. Go north on Hurricane
Lake Road, it becomes Beaver Creek Road after 3.6 miles. At 2 miles turn east on Kennedy Bridge
Road and go 3.1 miles to the bridge.
#2, Mile 5.5, Peadon Bridge. This access is unimproved with erosion and steep banks and is not a
recommended launch. It is a very remote area with limited parking and rough local roads. Peadon
Bridge is about 5 miles downstream of Kennedy Bridge. Directions: From Baker, take SR 189 north
4 miles to Riley Barnhill Road. Go west on Riley Barnhill Road 3.2 miles until it becomes Peadon
Bridge Road and continue 0.5 mile to Peadon Bridge.
#3, Mile 11, Cotton Bridge, SR 2.
Access to this small county park is on the west side of the river with an improved, hand-launch only
boat ramp. The gates are locked one hour before sunset so take in consideration if leaving a vehicle
here. Directions: From Baker, take SR 4 4.2 miles west to Cotton Bridge.
#4, Mile 22.5, Bryant Bridge. The lower river, especially between Bryant Bridge and Blackwater
State Park, can become congested with paddlers, tubers and swimmers in summer and on warm
weather weekends. Access is on the west side of the river, upstream from the bridge. There is
ample parking but this is a very remote area so take caution if leaving a vehicle here. Directions:
Take US 90 west 14.0 miles out of Crestview. Turn north onto Kelly Mill Road for 0.6 miles, turn west
onto Bryant Bridge Road and continue 1.3 miles to Bryant Bridge.
#5, Mile 28, Johnson’s Float Launch (drop-off launch only—no parking). Due to limited parking,
this is a drop-off launch only. From Milton, take US 90 East 10 miles to Deaton Bridge Road. Turn
north and continue 2.7 miles to Forest Road J40 on right. Turn right and follow J40 2 miles to launch
point, veering left at the J46 road junction. This is an improved gravel road with one steep section that
may be challenging for small vehicles.
#6, Mile 31, End of the Trail, Deaton Bridge, Blackwater River State
Park,
Deaton Bridge is within Blackwater River State Park. Be sure to end your trip here as the river is
not navigable below this bridge.
There are parking lots on both sides of the river. Deposit park
admission fee in pay stations. There
is a large sandy beach on river left and the access is just
downstream of the bridge on a beach, river right. A picnic area and restrooms are a short distance
beyond the takeout. Directions: Take US 90 east out of Milton 10 miles to Deaton Bridge Road. Turn
north and continue 4 miles to Deaton Bridge within Blackwater River State Park.
About a mile before Deaton Bridge on river right is an improved boat ramp with limited parking. It is
accessed on a single lane paved road just north of the state park entrance. It is not recommended to
leave a vehicle overnight here.
Blackwater River Paddling Trail Guide
Outfitters and Shuttle Service
Adventures Unlimited
850-623-6197
Blackwater Canoe Rental 1-800-967-6789
Base Camp
Blackwater River State Park is an excellent place to gaze at deep, starry skies and share stories
around the campfire recounting the day’s adventures. Several other designated paddling trails are
nearby: Shoal River, Juniper Creek, Coldwater Creek, and the Yellow River. Stretch your legs and
enjoy a stroll on the The Juniper Creek Trail, accessible from the park. This trail is part of the Florida
National Scenic Trail and is maintained by Florida Trail volunteers. Park visitors also enjoy hiking the
"Chain of Lakes Nature Trail" starting on a boardwalk on the east side of Deaton Bridge. This is one
of many delightful hiking trails in the state park and takes about an hour and a half walk along the
river to a river swamp, a chain of ox-bow lakes and a sandhill community of longleaf pine and turkey
oak. The trail may be seasonally wet.
