Blackwater River State Forest
This is one of Florida’s largest state forests, and is named for the Blackwater River, one of just a few shifting sand bottom streams that retains its natural state for nearly its entire course. The forest’s gently rolling terrain is home to a variety of natural communities, most notably the world’s largest longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem which extends to the adjacent Conecuh National Forest (in Alabama) to the north and Eglin Air Force Base to the south. These longleaf pine communities support a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are classified as endangered or threatened. We recommend four locations in the forest: Hutton Unit, Three Notch Road, Bear Lake Loop Trail and Karick Lake. Note that drive times between locations at this large site can be about half an hour.
Featured Image: Bahman's Sparrow
Sites At This Location
South End
This 5-mile stretch of Three Notch Rd. offers easy, safe roadside pulloffs with Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) cavity trees ringed with white paint, visible from the road. RCWs are most easily seen in breeding season in the mornings, when they emerge from their nest cavities to ferry food back to their waiting young.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Upper Entrance
Two recreation areas (north and south) make this area of the state forest fun to explore. Check for Bachman's Sparrow and Brown-headed Nuthatch calling in the sandhills, ducks (including Wood Duck and Blue-winged Teal) and wading birds like Green Heron visible from the north access pier.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Blackwater River State Forest: Hutton Unit
This site adjacent to Blackwater River State Park is great for Bachman’s Sparrow in spring and summer – if they are singing you’ll likely hear them from the parking lot! Less than 1 mile from the entrance on H9 Road (across from Boundary Line Rd.) you should encounter species such as Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird and Great Crested Flycatcher. Gates are open to general vehicular traffic from May 1 to October 1; gates will be closed in hunting season (hunters check in through a different gate). If the gate on Deaton Bridge Rd. is locked, you may use the parking lot next to the gate and walk in. Additional entrances are located at Pond Road off US 90 and at the intersection of Deaton Bridge Rd. and Indian Ford Rd. Take care driving on area clay roads – they can be slippery when wet. The Florida National Scenic Trail winds through the site and is open to hikers year round.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
View Seasonal Hunting Information
Operational Hours: sunrise to sundown
Size: 4,517 acres
Three Notch Rd.
This 5-mile stretch of Three Notch Rd. offers easy, safe roadside pull offs with Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) cavity trees ringed with white paint, visible from the road. RCWs are most easily seen on spring mornings, when they emerge from their nest cavities to ferry food back to their hungry chicks. Frequent prescribed fire keeps this habitat healthy, so obey signs closing the area for this necessary management event. Use caution on area clay roads, which can be slippery when wet. Also check trails north of Coldwater Horse Trail for RCWs, if desired, along the east and west sides of Three Notch Rd.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
View Seasonal Hunting Information
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service
Operational Hours: sunrise to sundown
Size: 381 acres
Entrances
North End
Address: Three Notch Rd., Milton, FL 32570
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South End
Address: Three Notch Rd., Milton, FL 32570
Karick Lake
Two recreation areas (north and south) make this area of the state forest fun to explore. Check for Bachman’s Sparrow and Brown-headed Nuthatch in the sandhills, Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal and wading birds like Green Heron may be visible from the north access pier, and songbirds like Yellow-throated Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo and Common Yellowthroat in the hardwoods around the lake. A 3.8-mile loop trail circles around the lake. Pay attention to ecotones, particularly those edges with hardwoods. These can be good for migrants like Scarlet Tanager that prefer this habitat over drier sandhills. Other species of interest here include Hairy Woodpecker, Common Nighthawk, Yellow-throated Vireo, Purple Martin, Orchard Oriole, and Pine Siskin (winter).
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
Operational Hours: sunrise to sundown
Size: 61 acres
Entrances
Lower Entrance
Address: N. Karick Rd. and Karick Lake Lower Rd., Crestview, FL 32570
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Upper Entrance
Address: N. Karick Rd. and Karick Lake Lower Rd., Crestview, FL 32570
Bear Lake Loop Trail
From the camping area, hike the 4-mile trail that rings the lake, watching for migrants like Ovenbirds and Swallow-tailed Kites. The cries and calls of Red-shouldered Hawks and Pileated Woodpeckers echo across the lake and Pied-billed Grebes dive, hunting for fish. At dawn and dusk listen for Barred Owl, Chuck-will’s-widow, Bachman’s Sparrows, Northern Bobwhite and Wild Turkey. You can see all 8 species of Florida’s woodpeckers at this site throughout the course of the year. Winter specialties such as Brown Creeper, Dark-eyed Junco and Pine Siskin have all been recorded in recent years. Take water and expect biting insects in warm weather. The lake is popular with anglers in spring and fall. There is no hunting on the trail or in the vicinity of the lake.
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service
Operational Hours: sunrise to sundown
Size: 292 acres
