The Blackwater's sandy bottom, white beaches and large sandbars contrast with the dark tannic water that gives the river its name.

Depending on rainfall, water levels can fluctuate rapidly and low-lying areas are seasonally flooded by the river.

Oak, maple, sycamore, magnolia, holly, tupelo, mountain laurel and azaleas dominate the forest along the river and streams of the floodplain.

Open canopy forests combine several types of pine and dense groundcovers that include gallberry, saw palmetto, wild blueberry, wax myrtle and wiregrass.

A variety of birds, including red-headed and pileated woodpeckers, hawks, crows, warblers and Mississippi kites frequent the river area.