Summertime has arrived! And like most Floridians, you are probably looking for somewhere to stay cool, have fun and avoid those pesky afternoon showers. There’s plenty of adventures to be had in Clay County.
Let us help with some ideas of how you cool off indoors and outdoors in Clay County –
Cool Off in Clay County’s Waterways
Ready to spend some time relaxing in the creek, lake, river or pool? We can help you find your perfect relaxation destination! With 39 miles of waterways throughout Clay County, there’s no better place to cool off.
Dating back to 1933, Green Cove Springs’ Camp Chowenwaw County Park was once Florida’s first Girl Scout Camp. Today, the public park offers 150 acres, a swimming pool and numerous trails for exploring and pristine conditions for overnight camping too. From one of the many onsite cabins to a night in one of the eight treehouses that sleep four people, families can sleep under the stars at this historic campground.
Known as one of Florida’s First State Parks, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park in Keystone Heights is home to 2,000 acres with miles of trails, camping opportunities, and lakes. The Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) passes through 5.4 miles of the park and connects to other public lands, making this the perfect place to enjoy a bike ride. Go fishing or go for a swim in Little Lake Johnson and if you’d like to explore the area by water, canoe rentals are available too. As a full-facility campground with 73 campsites, overnight accommodations are available for RVs, tents and cabin rentals.
The centerpiece of Green Cove Springs is Spring Park, located along the banks of the St. Johns River and home to community events, numerous playgrounds, picnic areas and the city’s community pool. At 135,000-gallons, it is actually spring-fed with the spring water flowing into a swimming pool and then flows out, forming Spring Run which eventually empties into the St. Johns River. The water comes from below at a rate of 1,346 gallons per minute and at a constant temperature of 77 degrees making it a popular spot for locals and visitors during the summer months.
At 13 miles long, Black Creek is a tributary to the St. Johns River. As a popular spot for Kayakers, sport boats, and fishing boats. Black Creek is also home to the local’s favorite rope swing, popular with families for boat picnics and great views along the water. Black Creek splits into two tributaries creating North Fork Black Creek and South Fork Black Creek in the Middleburg area.
Looking for accommodations that have pools? Check out the accommodations listing on ExploreClay.com and find the perfect pool (and room!) for your getaway. You’ll find accommodations for all price points with some including free breakfast and most including free parking too. Enjoy an overnight stay and enjoy access to the pool too.
If you are looking for boat rentals, contact Boat Florida Rentals at the Doctors Lake Marina, offering pontoon, deck boats, along with sport deck boats for those looking to spend a day out on the water.
Cool Off Indoors
Classic arcade games, pinball machines, craft beer and a menu of great food is waiting for you at the Leaderboard Arcade Bar & Pizzeria in Orange Park. This family-friendly venue takes you back in time with old-school gaming consoles and arcade favorites with an ever-changing leaderboard. Try out an old SEGA game or popular arcade favorites like Donkey Kong and Asteroid Deluxe. You’ll quickly see why this is a popular hot spot for food and fun!
With the largest wood floor roller skating rink in Northeast Florida, make a few laps at Skate Station FunWorks of Orange Park. Choose from skates or rollerblades and cruise to the latest songs, then enjoy a bite to eat from the snack bar. For more indoor fun, little ones can experience the indoor kids adventure playground and the popular arcade. And if you’re in need of some sunshine, challenge your friends to the rock-climbing wall or play a round of swamp themed, mini golf.
In Fleming Island, test your skills at the Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing center. With a quick tutorial from the professionals, your group will start throwing axes at targets in no time. The easy scoring system lets throwers compete in a round-robin of games against one another. This family-friendly activity allows ages ten and up to throw axes, making it the perfect spot to try something new. Valhalla is a BYOB establishment and reservations are encouraged.
From axe throwing to pinball machines and soaking up the sun at the community pool – there’s no shortage of summer adventures to be had during your time in Clay County.
