Karick Lake North Youth Group Camp Blackwater River State Forest

Open — Open year-round for organized youth groups with reservations available up to 11 months in advance. Alcohol is prohibited at this facility.

About

The Karick Lake North Youth Group Camp is situated within the Karick Lake Recreation Area in Blackwater River State Forest, approximately one hour northeast of Pensacola in Okaloosa County. This facility is exclusively for organized youth groups with adult chaperones and offers a tent-only group camping experience for up to 25 people on the north side of the 65-acre Karick Lake. The campground provides drinking water at the campsite and access to restrooms and showers located in the nearby Karick Lake North Campground. A boat ramp and fishing pier are available for lake access, though only electric boat motors are permitted and swimming is not allowed. The area is designated as a non-hunting zone, providing a safe environment for youth activities. Blackwater River State Forest is Florida's largest state forest, encompassing over 210,000 acres of longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem. Together with adjacent federal lands, it forms the largest contiguous ecological community of this type in the world. The forest is part of both the Florida National Scenic Trail and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, offering exceptional opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing, bird watching, wildlife viewing, nature study, and photography.

Directions

From Interstate 10 take Exit 56. Travel Highway 85 northbound to Highway 90 in Crestview. Turn left and head west to Milligan. At Milligan turn right onto Highway 4 to Baker. In Baker continue heading north. The road name changes from Highway 4 to Highway 189. Travel 7.7 miles to the North Karick Lake sign and turn right onto the entrance road. When entering the campground take the dirt road to the right to a gate. Use the combination received to unlock the gate and proceed to the youth group campsite.

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