Blackwater River State Forest
Blackwater River State Forest extends across the northern regions of Okaloosa and neighboring Santa Rosa Counties. Four campgrounds can be found on the Okaloosa side of the county. Two lie around Hurricane Lake, and two are around Karick Lake. On the north side of Hurricane Lake, campsites are accompanied by electricity, restrooms, showers and a boat ramp. The south side of the lake contains primitive campsites, restrooms and a boat ramp. In addition to boating on the lakes, these campsites provide hiking on the Florida National Scenic Trail and paddling on the Blackwater River Paddling Trail. The campsites on both the north and south side of Karick Lake are furnished with electricity, water, restrooms, showers and a boat ramp. The Karick Lake Trail is a 3.8 mile loop around the lake and part of the Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Program. Biking, horseback riding and birding are available throughout the forest.
Blackwater River State Forest
11650 Munson Hwy.
Milton, FL 32570
(850) 957-6140
fl-dof.com/state_Forests
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Next to the city of Niceville, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park offers a developed campground near the water with bathhouse and laundry facilities suitable for tent or RV camping. The campsites are equipped with water and electric hookups, picnic tables and fire rings. The park offers guests fresh and salt water fishing, biking, paddling and hiking through the old pine forest. A boat ramp allows waterborne excursions into Rocky Bayou and the Choctawhatchee Bay.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
4281 SR 20
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 833-9144
floridastateparks.org/rockybayou
Henderson Beach State Park
The second segment of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail makes a layover in Henderson Beach State Park. Paddlers will find campsites in the scrub habitat beyond the beach among the saw palmettos, sand pines, oaks and stunted magnolias. Sunbathing, surf fishing and swimming are popular along this stretch of Gulf coastline. Amenities in the park include restrooms, showers, a playground, picnic areas and laundry facilities.
Henderson Beach State Park
17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy.
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-7550
floridastateparks.org/hendersonbeach
Article Written By David Chandler
David Chandler has been a freelance writer since 2006 whose work has appeared in various print and online publications. A former reconnaissance Marine, he is an active hiker, diver, kayaker, sailor and angler. He has traveled extensively and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida where he was educated in international studies and microbiology.
