The Florida Forest Service offers camping discounts for individuals age 65 and older, active-duty military or honorably discharged veterans, and for individuals 100% disabled at applicable camping facilities on Florida's State Forests. If you qualify for any of these discounts, please call the Reserve America Call Center at (877) 879-3859 and provide the appropriate document number (e.g., driver's license number; military ID number) to have the documentation added and your profile updated. Once this is complete, your discount will automatically apply upon checkout. The Florida Forest Service reserves the right to verify documentation provided to Reserve America.   
Important Notice:   
The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.   
Krul Campground Info: Day Passes are not valid for entry at Krul Campground. Reservations are required for entry and are available 2 days in advance here. Annual passholders also require a reservation, but will be admitted for free.
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Important Notice: The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.

Bear Lake East Primitive Group Campsite Blackwater River State Forest, FL

Average Rating: 4.3
Average Rating: 4.3
Average Rating: 4.3
Average Rating: 4.3
Average Rating: 4.3
24 Ratings
Bear Lake East Primitive Camp is located within the Blackwater River State Forest (Santa Rosa County), about 1-hour northeast of Pensacola, FL. This campsite is in the Bear Lake Recreation Area, next to Bear Lake (107 acres) and has the following facilities: primitive campsites (...
Status: Open year round.   Season Dates
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Bear Lake East Primitive Group Campsite Blackwater River State Forest
Group Tent
24
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
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Description

Bear Lake East Primitive Camp is located within the Blackwater River State Forest (Santa Rosa County), about 1-hour northeast of Pensacola, FL. This campsite is in the Bear Lake Recreation Area, next to Bear Lake (107 acres) and has the following facilities: primitive campsites (no water or electric) and pit toilet. Recreational activities featured here are: fishing, hiking, mountain biking (6-mile trail), canoeing, picnicking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and photography.

Geography:

Blackwater River State Forest is the largest state forest in Florida, with over 211,000 acres of woodlands, lakes, and streams that has outstanding forest and water resources. It is named for the Blackwater River, which begins in neighboring Conecuh County, Alabama, and meanders southwestward through the forest. With the adjacent federal landholdings of Conecuh National Forest, to the north, and Eglin Air Force Base, to the south, this area is the largest contiguous ecological community of the longleaf pine - wiregrass ecosystem in the world. For further information about Blackwater River State Forest, please Click Here.

Recreation:

Blackwater River State Forest has campgrounds, day-use areas and recreational trails that offer a variety of activities such as swimming, hiking, camping, canoeing, nature study, birding, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and mountain biking. This forest is part of the Florida National Scenic Trail and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Get outdoors and explore the recreational opportunities at Blackwater River State Forest; for further information please Click Here.

Facilities:

This facility has a pit toilet and firepit. There is no water at this location.

Nearby Attractions:

Blackwater Canoe Rental, Bob's Canoes, Adventures Unlimited, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Air Force Armament Museum, Okaloosa Island Pier, National Naval Aviation Museum, Navarre Beach, Pensacola Beach, Gulf of Mexico

Fri Jul 17 2026 - Thu Jun 17 2027

Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.


Season Schedule

Park Season
Start
End
Non Peak
Mon Jun 01 2026
Wed Sep 30 2026
Peak
Thu Oct 01 2026
Mon May 31 2027
Non Peak
Tue Jun 01 2027
Thu Sep 30 2027
Within Park
  • Bird Watching
  • Boat Launch Ramp
  • Camping, Primitive
  • Canoeing
  • Fire Rings
  • Fishing
  • Fishing Lake
  • Hiking
  • Hiking Trail
  • Nature Study
  • Outdoor Toilet (No Water)
  • Photography
  • Trails, Mountain Bike
  • Wildflower Viewing
  • Wildlife Viewing
Special Policy Applicable to this Facility
Cancellations:

  • Cancellations can be made on the website and through the call center.
  • 1 or more days prior to arrival: $9 non-refundable cancellation fee.
  • Day of or after arrival, must be cancelled through the call center.
  • $9.00 plus the 1st night's use fee.
  • After the arrival date, $9 non-refundable cancellation fee, fees for the nights following the call will be refunded. No same night refunds.

Refunds:

  • Credit Card refunds are automatically credited back to the original credit card and will take up to 3 - 5 business days to appear on the customer's statement.
  • The State Forest campgrounds cannot process refunds for reservations processed online or through the call center.
  • The State Forest can process refunds for cash or check payments made through walk-in office reservations and walk-up campsites. State Forest do not process any credit card refunds.

Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Non Peak Season
Jun 01 2026 -
Sep 30 2026
Group Tent
$17.86
Peak Season
Oct 01 2026 -
May 31 2027
Group Tent
$17.86
Non Peak Season
Jun 01 2027 -
Sep 30 2027
Group Tent
$17.86

*Displayed rates do not reflect attribute fees (electrical hookups /water hookups), taxes or incremental charges.

**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
30.86452, -86.82786
30°51'52"N, 86°49'40"W

From I-10 take exit 22 for FL-281 N toward Milton/Gulf Breeze. Head north on FL-281 N (Avalon Blvd.) for 4 miles to US-90 E (Caroline St.) and turn right. Go 2.3 miles and use 2 left turn lanes to turn left onto Stewart Street (at the Burger King), go .8 mile to County Road 191 (Munson Highway) at Milton High School and turn right. Continue on County Road 191 for 19.5 miles to FL-4 E and turn right. After 2.7 miles on FL-4 E look for the Hurricane Lake sign. Turn left and travel 1 mile to a gated dirt road on your left.
Mailing Address:
Bear Lake East Primitive Group Campsite Blackwater River State Forest
11650 Munson Highway
Milton  FL  32570
Phone Number:
Information:  (850)957-5700