Location
Blackwater River runs through Milton and many other small towns in Florida. It empties into Escabmia Bay eventually.
Map of part of the Blackwater River
Description
The Blackwater River in north Florida near Pensacola is one of the purest sand bottom rivers in the country. Almost every bend in the river has a large pure white sand bank, it's a perfect river for canoeing or kayaking for a lot of reasons other than it's beauty. The entire river is only 2-5 feet deep, and the flow is not so strong that you can't paddle upriver if you want a workout, but this is the Blackwater River, it's meant for chillin, and even on the hottest summer days the water is cool to help you chill.
The Blackwater River IS a blackwater river. A blackwater river is a river where the decaying vegetation leaches tannins into the water, creating a transparent water that is darkly stained. The water is very clear and pure, just stained. Blackwater rivers are lower in nutrients than whitewater rivers which leads to flora and fauna that differs from both whitewater and clearwater rivers. The Blackwater River is the largest contiguous longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem in the world.
There are many places on the river to rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard. If you have your own canoe or kayak, most of the companies that rent canoes and shuttle people upriver will take you upriver for a small fee if you want to use your own kayak.