Bear Lake Campground Blackwater River State Forest

Open — Open year-round. Reservations available via Reserve America up to 11 months in advance.

About

Bear Lake Campground is situated within the Bear Lake Recreation Area in Blackwater River State Forest in Santa Rosa County, about one hour northeast of Pensacola. The campground offers 39 campsites around a 107-acre lake, including 31 sites for RVs or tents and 8 tent-only sites. Sites are equipped with electric and water hookups or water only, with driveway lengths ranging from 30 to 93 feet. The facility includes restrooms with showers, a dump station, and a boat ramp restricted to electric motors only. A group dining hall with kitchen is available by reservation. Blackwater River State Forest is Florida's largest state forest at over 210,000 acres, and together with Conecuh National Forest to the north and Eglin Air Force Base to the south, forms the largest contiguous longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem in the world. The campground provides access to a 6-mile mountain bike trail, hiking opportunities including the Florida National Scenic Trail, fishing, canoeing, birding, and wildlife viewing. Bear Lake Recreation Area is located in a non-hunting zone, though fluorescent orange is recommended when venturing on trails away from the lake during main hunting season (Thanksgiving through mid-February). Swimming is not permitted in the lake.

Directions

From I-10 take exit 22 for FL-281 N toward Milton/Gulf Breeze. Head north on FL-281 N for 4.9 miles to US-90 E and turn right. Go 2.3 miles and turn left onto Stewart Street, go 0.8 mile to County Road 191 at Milton High School and turn right. Continue on CR-191 for 19.5 miles to FL-4 E and turn right. After 2.1 miles look for the Bear Lake sign and turn left.

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