Bear Lake East Primitive Group Campsite Blackwater River State Forest
Open year-round. Reservations required through Florida State Forests ReserveAmerica. Drought conditions may trigger burn bans affecting campfires.
Hurricane Warning issued October 8 at 9:57PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
* LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Jay - Milton * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 1 Hurricane force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 65-85 mph with gusts to 95 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: early Friday afternoon until early Saturday morning - Window for Hurricane force winds: Friday evening - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 74 to 110 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or 2 hurricane force. - PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be urgently completed. Prepare for considerable wind damage. - ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. - Large areas with power and communications outages. * STORM SURGE - No storm surge inundation forecast - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Little to no storm surge flooding - The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: There is little to no threat of storm surge flooding. Rough surf, coastal erosion, and life-threatening rip currents are possible. - PREPARE: Little to no preparations for storm surge flooding are needed. - ACT: Follow the instructions of local officials. Monitor forecasts. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from storm surge flooding. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: 3-6 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for major flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely. - PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for several tornadoes - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for several tornadoes with a few possibly intense having larger damage paths. - PREPARE: Those living in manufactured homes or on boats are urged to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. - ACT: Listen for tornado watches and warnings. If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - For evacuation and shelter information, please refer to: - Santa Rosa County EMA: 850-983-5360 or www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency - For storm surge threat graphics and other storm impacts: - NWS Mobile: www.weather.gov/mob
Flood Watch issued October 9 at 1:00AM CDT until October 10 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
...POTENTIAL FOR LIFE THREATENTING FLASH FLOODING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of Alabama, including the following areas, Baldwin Central, Baldwin Coastal, Baldwin Inland, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia, Mobile Central, Mobile Coastal, Mobile Inland, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox and northwest Florida, including the following areas, Escambia Coastal, Escambia Inland, Okaloosa Coastal, Okaloosa Inland, Santa Rosa Coastal and Santa Rosa Inland. * WHEN...From this afternoon through Saturday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Hurricane Isaias will move onshore on the northern Gulf coast Friday evening, with bands of rain ahead of the storm moving onshore Friday afternoon. From Friday through the early Saturday, Isaias is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches across the region. Localized totals of 10 to 15 inches are possible, particularly within banding across the Florida Panhandle and close to the center track of the storm. Flash and urban flooding is likely across the region, with considerable impacts possible across much of southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. River flooding is also expected, some of which could be significant. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Warning issued October 8 at 8:22PM CDT until October 11 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
...The Flood Warning continues for the following river in Alabama... Florida... Blackwater River Near Baker affecting Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Covington Counties. For the Blackwater River...including Baker, Upper Blackwater River... Minor flooding is forecast. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/mob. Click on the Rivers and Lakes menu for forecasts and observations. The next statement will be issued when updates occur. * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Blackwater River near Baker. * WHEN...From late Saturday night to Sunday morning. * IMPACTS...At 11.0 feet, minor flooding of secondary roads and lowlands from the Highway 4 Bridge downstream. At 9.5 feet, Kennedy and Peaden Bridges are flooded upstream of Highway 4 bridge. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 8:00 PM CDT Thursday the stage was 1.4 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 11.0 feet early Sunday morning. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
About
Bear Lake East Primitive Group Campsite is located within the Bear Lake Recreation Area of Blackwater River State Forest in Santa Rosa County, Florida. This primitive group site accommodates up to 24 campers and is ideal for scout troops, outdoor clubs, or other organized groups seeking a backcountry experience. The site features a pit toilet and fire ring but has no potable water, electricity, or showers. The campsite sits adjacent to Bear Lake, a 107-acre lake open to fishing with small boats equipped with electric motors only. Swimming is not permitted. Recreational opportunities include hiking and a 6-mile mountain biking trail. Bird watching and wildlife photography are popular activities in this longleaf pine ecosystem. During the main hunting season from Thanksgiving through mid-February, campers should wear fluorescent orange when hiking away from the lake area. Alcohol is prohibited at this facility. Reservations are required and can be made up to 11 months in advance through the Florida State Forests reservation system.
Directions
Located at 11650 Munson Highway, Milton, FL 32570. The campsite is approximately one hour northeast of Pensacola in the Bear Lake Recreation Area of Blackwater River State Forest.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $17.86 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (850) 957-5700 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
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