Blackwater River State Forest offers several camping options for equestrian enthusiasts near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The forest encompasses over 210,000 acres of protected wilderness with sandy soil terrain characteristic of the Florida panhandle. Equestrian camping facilities in this region provide direct access to extensive trail systems while maintaining basic amenities for both riders and their horses.
What to do
Explore horse trails: Coldwater Equestrian Campground serves as a starting point for numerous horse trails throughout Blackwater River State Forest. "Lots of trails to ride your horses," notes Jennifer P., highlighting the accessibility of trail riding directly from the campsite.
River activities: Wilderness Landing provides water-based recreation options along the Blackwater River. "It is located right on the Blackwater River and has a boat launch and two pavilions with tables and barbeque grills right on the beach. The river is sand bottom and fairly clear," shares Stealie F., detailing the water access features.
Disconnect from technology: The remote setting creates opportunities for unplugged recreation. Terran B. describes Coldwater Recreation Area as "way back in the woods. Cell service was on the struggle bus the whole time," making it ideal for those seeking a break from constant connectivity.
What campers like
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate no-cost alternatives in the area. Ken R. describes Wilderness Landing as "Primitive, Quiet and Free. Want to be away from it all - this is the place. Grass sites, some shade."
Clean facilities: Despite the remote location, facility maintenance receives positive reviews. Salvador G. notes his "Positive experience" at Wilderness Landing, adding it's a "Good spot for free. Clean showers/toilet building."
Ranger interactions: Campground staff enhance the experience for visitors. Jennifer P. mentions the rangers at Coldwater are "Very friendly staff especially the Rangers. Faye (one of the rangers) is great. We had our 3 year old granddaughter with us and she came by at least twice a day to give her a ride on the golf cart and printed of pages she could color on rainy days."
What you should know
Site variations: Campsite quality and features differ throughout the facilities. Jennifer P. explains that at Coldwater Equestrian Campground, "Most of the sites from #16 to #56 are shaded, some more than others. All the sites are not the same size, some being larger than the others."
Sandy conditions: The soil composition affects camping setup. Some sites at Coldwater Equestrian Campground are "extra super sandy (beach sand) and would be a lot better if they removed some of it," according to Jennifer P.
Access challenges: Road conditions may impact travel to certain campgrounds. Donna G. gives Wilderness Landing "3 stars" citing "Beautiful views, clean restrooms, and free. Other campers were very friendly. The only reason for a 3 is the rough drive getting there."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly ranger activities: Families benefit from staff who engage with young campers. Jennifer P. mentions that at Coldwater, the ranger "didn't discriminate either..all the children at the campground got to take a ride" on the golf cart, and provided coloring pages on rainy days.
River swimming: The waterways provide natural recreation for children. Stealie F. notes that at Wilderness Landing, "The river is sand bottom and fairly clear. My big ol' malamute 'Stealie' loves the river!" suggesting a family-friendly swimming area.
Community atmosphere: The social environment supports family camping experiences. Jennifer P. observed at Coldwater that "All the other campers were super friendly," creating a welcoming environment for families with children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV campers should note varying levels of services. Dale W. explains that at Coldwater, "All campsites have water and electrical hookups. There is a dump station," providing essential information for planning an RV stay.
Big rig accessibility: Larger RVs can access certain facilities in the area. Coldwater Recreation Area is marked as "big-rig friendly" in its amenities list, though road conditions to some campgrounds may present challenges.
Limited privacy: Site layout impacts the camping experience. Dale W. mentions that at Coldwater, the "only complaint is the the campsites are right next to each other with no screening between sites," which RVers seeking privacy should consider when selecting a location.
