The Blackwater River State Forest, located in northwest Florida, is a picturesque and diverse natural landscape teeming with abundant natural resources and biodiversity. With its sprawling 206,621 acres, the forest encompasses a variety of ecosystems, including longleaf pine forests, cypress swamps, blackwater rivers, and sparkling springs. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the serenity of nature, exploring the numerous recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The forest's pristine blackwater rivers, like the namesake Blackwater River and the Juniper Creek, provide exceptional canoeing and kayaking experiences, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant wildlife. Whether seeking adventure or solace, the Blackwater River State Forest offers a truly enchanting experience for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike.

One of the many outstanding features on Blackwater River State Forest is the many beautiful streams that meander throughout the forest. The most notable of these waterways are Blackwater River, Juniper Creek, Coldwater Creek and Sweetwater Creek. Canoeing on these waterways is a popular activity.

Throughout the northern ranges of the forest where soil types retain more moisture, you will find vegetative species such as: longleaf pine, southern red oak, water oak and dogwood. In the southern ranges of the forest where soil types are coarse with little capacity to hold water you will find vegetative species such as: longleaf pine, turkey oak, post oak, bluejack oak and persimmon. Wiregrass, gallberry, yaupon, wax myrtle, and blueberry are common understory species. Bottomlands support such species as water oak, sweetbay, redbay, titi, American holly, Atlantic white cedar and southern magnolia.

The prescribed burn program on Blackwater River State Forest enhances the habitat of native fauna and flora by controlling the hardwoods and underbrush that can replace the variety of fragile species living on the forest. Control burning allows for the maintenance of the largest remaining fragment of longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem in the world.