Managed in cooperation with
Florida Division of Forestry |
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Betsy Purdum |
Blackwater WMA, the Blackwater Carr Unit, and Blackwater Hutton Unit,
are comprised of more than 200,000 acres in Okaloosa
and Santa Rosa counties and is one of the largest state forests in
Florida. The forest’s natural stands of longleaf pine are among the best
remaining examples of the longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem that once
covered much of the southeastern United States. Other natural
communities found on the area include hardwood swamps, mixed loblolly
pine and hardwoods, and pitcher plant bogs. Some of the most beautiful
stands of Atlantic white cedar in the state are found along the banks of
the Blackwater River and its tributaries. The forest is critical habitat
for many listed plants and animals, including the
red-cockaded
woodpecker, the
pine barrens treefrog, the
gopher tortoise, and the
panhandle lily. Blackwater’s outstanding forest and water resources
offer excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing,
hiking, biking, camping, swimming, horseback riding, and paddling. A portion of the
Florida National
Scenic Trail traverses the area and is open to hikers year round.
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Managed in cooperation with
Florida Division of Forestry |
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Russell Johnson |
The Carr Unit is a small (almost 600 acres) section of the Blackwater
State Forest in Santa Rosa County four miles northwest of Holt and
Highway 90. The major recreational activity on this area is a
special opportunity released-quail hunt. A $100 permit per person
allows parties up to four to hunt for pen-raised quail they release.
Hunts are scheduled for various days from November through February. On
the Carr Unit is the
Blackwater Fisheries Research and Development
Center. Each year since 1989 the facility has produced more than one
million striped bass and hybrids (sometimes called sunshine bass) for
stocking in public waters. Each spring, children are invited to fish in
four ponds that have been stocked with sunshine bass and
catfish. The facility, part of the
Great Florida
Birding Trail, is a popular spot for viewing wading birds. Camping
is prohibited on the area.
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Managed in cooperation with
Florida Division of Forestry |
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Russell Johnson |
The Hutton Unit encompasses more than 7,500 acres north of Highway 90,
five miles east of Milton. Indian Ford Road forms the northern
boundary of the unit, which consists of open pinelands interspersed with mature forests. The FWC manages this unit of the Blackwater State Forest to improve the habitat for bobwhite quail,
as well as deer, turkey and other non-game species. For each of
the quail hunts on the Hutton Unit, eight daily quota permits will be
given out on a first-come, first-served basis at the check station on
the day of the hunts. Quota permits are also
required for muzzleloading gun, archery, and general gun hunts.
Fishing and paddling opportunities are available along the Blackwater
River and hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing are permitted on the
area. The Florida National
Scenic Trail winds through the Hutton Unit and is open to hikers
year round. Mourning dove, myrtle warbler,
red-tailed hawk,
red-headed
woodpecker, and
Carolina wren are a few of the bird species possible to
see in the Hutton Unit, which is a part of the
Great Florida Birding Trail.
Gates are open to general vehicular traffic from May 1 to October 1 and
to permitted vehicles only the rest of the year. Camping is permitted at designated campsites. Call the Division of
Forestry at (850) 957-6140 for campsite locations.
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