Is Eden Gardens, Blackwater worth visiting?

[Rudyjohn]

Is Eden Gardens State Park worth going to? What about Blackwater rafting?

[steele mama]

Of course Eden is worth visiting. It is very historical and picturesque. Great place to picnic. Never been to the other place.

[Bob]

Eden Gardens may end up being the only house in SoWal whose yard hasn't been pierced by a real estate sign. What a beautiful place to enjoy with friends/family.

[beachmouse]

I haven't rafted in Blackwater, but they do have some really nice hiking trails I've been on. I'd like to someday, and it would probably be a nice, fun change from the usual sort of beach day.

[RiverOtter]

Rafted?? Not like rapids :idontno:

[Rudyjohn]

No, not rapids like the Chatooga or in No Wisconsin, but lieing in an innertube and floating with the current.

[RiverOtter]

No, not rapids like the Chatooga or in No Wisconsin, but lieing in an innertube and floating with the current.

:oops: Ohhhh, got it. That's some fun stuff too (if you can take a cooler :biggrin: ). Didn't know there was a place like that in Walton. What about gators :blink: ?

[kurt]

The Blackwater is awesome. White sandy beaches along the river are sweet.

Eden was aptly named. Take a picnic. :wink:

[RiverOtter]

The Blackwater is awesome. White sandy beaches along the river are sweet.

Eden was aptly named. Take a picnic. :wink:

Yeah but what about gators :blink:

[kurt]

Yeah but what about gators :blink:

Didn't you hear? The Gators got a strict coach now - no misbehaving. :nono1:

[Smiling JOe]

Yeah but what about gators :blink:
Are you now more concerned with Gators than Bull Sharks which are also known to head of Black Creek? Take a friend who is a slower paddler/swimmer than you.

[RiverOtter]

Are you now more concerned with Gators than Bull Sharks which are also known to head of Black Creek? Take a friend who is a slower paddler/swimmer than you.

:rofl: You know my motto: I don't have to out swim the gator ... I just have to out swim you :biggrin:

Didn't you hear? The Gators got a strict coach now - no misbehaving. :nono1:.

Now that's funny too :floor:

[ameness]

During our 1-week stay at the beach each year we take a break from the gulf at least one day to do a 6-hour leisurely canoe/kayak trip on the river with Blackwater Canoe Rental. This is a great trip for just about any age. We usually put a younger child in a canoe with an adult. Three to a canoe tends to be too much weight. When my son was 9 yrs old he discovered that he preferred having his own kayak rather than sharing a canoe. The Kayaks are great and easy to navigate, but we find it helps to have at least one canoe, mainly for an ice chest. We've even gone as far as throwing in a couple of folding chairs for use during our stops on the sand bars. We make frequent stops to swim in the river, grab a bite to eat, and take little discovery expeditions on foot along the banks and up some of the feeder streams.

A couple of tips:
You'll want to check and make sure the river is moving. If the weather has been unusually dry you end up having to paddle the entire way, and may even have to get out and pull your canoe over some low spots. The best trip is when the river is running at a leisurely pace where you just have to steer the canoe, and not paddle too much.

It’s a wise idea to wrap a bungee cord around the ice chest. If the canoe flips you don't have to worry about the top flying open and losing your food and drinks. You might also want to use a bungee cord or two to secure other items to the canoe itself so they don’t end up floating down the river if you flip.

Finally, don’t forget a bag for your trash, and suntan lotion.

[Donna]

Eden is wonderful. You can tour the house and gardens in less than an hour and a picnic on the grounds is lovely. That night, rent a DVD of the old cult horror film, "Frogs," which was filmed at Eden in the early 1960s. Stars Ray Milland and is a precursor of sorts to the environmental movement. Very kitschy! :clap_1:

[kurt]

Frogs is hilarious, but it scared the heck out of me when I was little. :eek: