The search for a cheap, easy weekend getaway in early June led me to the Blackwater River State Park and an overnight canoe trip with a friend who regularly visits. After a hectic work week, quickly throwing camping/fishing gear in the car, and hitting the road without even Googling the Blackwater River, what awaited me was far different than expected.

Despite its name, the Blackwater River runs with clear, cool water through one of the largest contiguous longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystems remaining in the world. The park was historically used for lumber production, but after 30 years of management, the Florida State Park’s system restored the tract and opened it to the public in 1968 with 360 acres.

The park has continued to expand in the decades since opening and offers many recreational opportunities to set down some of the tract’s natural splendor (borrowing a favorite line from HBO’s Westworld). Our trip began at The Original Blackwater Canoe Rental outside of Milton, Florida, which offers canoe, tube, and kayak rentals, transport to/from the river as well as an outpost with camping gear and supplies available.

Electing for a one-night canoe trip, we split the $110 all-in canoe rental fee and loaded our gear for transport to the drop-in spot, 11 miles upriver. Although logjams upriver have blocked some of the furthest drop-in points, The Original Blackwater Canoe Rental office indicated they could take you as far as 23 miles upriver at that time. After a short drive, we loaded our gear into the canoe and shoved off the beach.

As quickly as the roadway falls behind, you are transported by the cool, clear water which whispers along at a gentle pace, often drowned out by swaying branches and other noises of the forest. The June heat warranted many stops along sandy beaches to swim, take pictures, and try to catch one of the many fish swimming under the canoe.

As the afternoon shadows lengthened, we found a beautiful campsite on an elevated ridge above a small beachfront a the bend in the river and unpacked for the evening before exploring the surrounding beaches and forest. The elevated campground in the forest's shade helped combat the heat along with regular dips in the river.

While June camping in the Scenic 98 Coastal Area certainly comes with its challenges, its easy to forget about the heat and bugs sitting in the cold waters of the Blackwater watching the sun go down and stars come out on a crystal-clear night.

A special thank you to Bobby Gagnet of Mobile for all photographs included in this article.