Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park

About Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park

This protected area protects one of the few remaining natural pitcher plant areas in the United States, including the state's largest pitcher plant community. These carnivorous plants thrive in this area by passively trapping insects in specialized tube leaves and absorbing nutrients from their decomposing prey.

The extensive landscape of the pitcher meadows offers enormous opportunities for photography and nature experiences. The reserve is located at Garcon Point, which separates Escambia Bay from Blackwater Bay. There are no recreational facilities within the reserve, but you can stay in the park or nearby and enjoy a variety of leisure activities such as kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing and camping.

The hotel is located on Dickerson City Road, south of the parking lot at the reserve entrance on the west side of Blackwater Bay. The hotel was originally located in the same area as the park, north of Garcon Point, but now in a different location.

Maldonado was a navigator under Hernando De Soto and stayed with the Creek Indians for a few weeks in the early 19th century while DeSoto crossed the Southern Territory. There is no recorded history of his stay at Blackwater Bay, but there is a legend that he spent several days at the hotel in 1811.

For centuries, settlers raised cattle, turpentine and other products and were also the seat of the Indian population. Located at the mouth of Blackwater Bay on the west side of Yellow River Marsh State Park.