The blackwater Seventeen Mile River can be hard to find, largely because it’s considered an “ephemeral river”. This means that  it’s dry as often as it’s wet, often more so. Much of it is located on private property, as well. The best place to see this natural wonder is at General Coffee State Park.

If you’re a fisherman, the best time to visit is after a good period of rain. As a navigable stream, the Seventeen Mile River is nearly impenetrable, but several open “lakes” provide good places to fish. Gar Lake, seen below, is one of the easiest to access.

The park prides itself on being one of the best kept secrets in the state. Its protection has enabled plants like the Green-fly Orchid (Epidendrum magnoliae) and Narrow-leaf Barbara’s Buttons (Marshallia tenuifolia) to survive. Native and introduced ferns are abundant here, as well.

Evidence of the naval stores industry can be found scattered throughout the park, as seen on this pine.

Boardwalks allow easy access to the river and swamps.