Otto Hill

Located approximately 7 miles northwest of Cantonment and accessed via Jacks Branch Road, Otto Hill Recreation Area is a reservation-only campsite ideally suited for small groups.

In addition to the campsite, Otto Hill features a pavilion and a portable toilet.

Visitors to Otto Hill can enjoy several short hiking trails – one of which leads to a picturesque sand bar approximately 100 yards from the main camp site. Under normal conditions, the river is shallow enough in this area to provide a fantastic swimming spot for children.

A short swim or paddle across the river leads visitors to another sand bar and more sunbathing opportunities.

The Perdido River, which is designated an Outstanding Florida Water and Special Water System, flows about 63 miles from southern Alabama to Perdido Bay, forming Florida’s western border with Alabama.

The upper part of the river is a shifting sand river system, which is unique to portions of northwest Florida, south Alabama, southern Mississippi, and extreme eastern Louisiana. The lower end of the river is deeper with a slower-moving channel.

The Perdido is a tannin-stained blackwater stream in its lower reaches where rapidly disappearing pitcher plant bogs, threatened gopher tortoises, migratory neotropical birds, and stands of Atlantic white cedar trees can all still be appreciated.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Perdido River and its tributaries are home to several species of rare and imperiled fish including the saltmarsh topminnow and the Gulf sturgeon.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District manages 6,261.22 acres of public lands in the Perdido River Water Management Area.

Recreation Opportunities

• Camping, picnicking, fishing, canoe launch, canoeing, hiking, wildlife viewing, swimming

Restrictions

No ATV’s allowed.

Motorized vehicles allowed on designated roads only.

Alcoholic beverages prohibited.

Tent, pickup, or van camping only; RV’s or trailers not allowed.