Top 10 Things to Do in Clay County, FL

Treehouse Point at Camp Chowenwaw Park

#1 Stay in a Treehouse at Camp Chowenwaw

 

Stay in a Camp Chowenwaw Treehouse. Located at the intersection of Black Creek and the St. Johns River, this 150-acre county-owned park was home to a regional Girl Scout camp for over 70 years.

#2 Play Games at an Escape Room or Arcade

 

Have some fun indoors and see if you can break the code to get out in time at Escape Me in Orange Park. Afterwards, make your way to the Leaderboard Arcade for an afternoon of pinball machines and games.

Arcades at Leaderboard Arcade

#3 Experience a Spring-fed Swimming Pool

 

Cool off in one of the country’s oldest spring-fed swimming pool in Spring Park in Green Cove Springs; it’s been around since 1871 and is known to be a constant temperature of 77 degrees.

#4 Enjoy Drinks and a View

 

Enjoy the cool breeze and cold drinks along with a magnificent sunset at the Sunset Tiki Bar at Doctors Lake Marina. For more fun, get out on the 39 square miles of water by using one of the 11 public boat ramps.

Sunset at Sunset Tiki Bar

#5 Have a Day at the Range

 

Make your way to the new Clay County Adventure Park, a 158-acre complex near Camp Blanding featuring a 200-yard gun range. This is the first facility constructed for visitors looking to enjoy outdoor adventure. The range has 45 shooting bays, including 24 pistol bays, four of which have steel targets, 15 rifle bays with steel targets on the 50, 100, and 200-yard lines, 2 shotgun bays, 2 tactical bays, and 2 speed steel lanes for pistol and pistol carbine rifles.

#6 Discover Unique History

 

Dive into the unique history of Clay County with a visit to the Town of Penney Farms Historic Museum. With a focus on the pre-1920s through the 1940s, the museum begins with the stories of a small group of African American sharecroppers that settled in what is now the New Hope community in 1920.

Penney Statue

#7 See a Show

 

Immerse yourself in the arts at the Thrasher-Horne Center with live concerts, performances and their adjacent art gallery featuring local artists. Local community theatre favorites include The Island Theatre in Fleming Island, the Orange Park Community Theatre and the Spotlight Center in Fleming Island, home to Clay County’s only dinner theater.

#8 Go for a Hike

 

Take a hike. 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 5.44 miles of trails along the Florida National Scenic Trail. In Jennings State Forest, the Pioneer Trail features ten miles of trail with varying difficulty of terrains and overlooks along Black Creek.

Camp Chow Hike

#9 Try Some Unique Local Eats

Dine local during and experience unique cuisines throughout Clay County. Try bold spices at Siam Sushi & Thai in Middleburg, experience Jamaican flavors at the locally-owned Irie Diner and take a trip down to New Orleans with the Cajun cuisine of Mackey’s Munchies in Orange Park.

#10 Shop Local

 

For those ready to shop, ‘go local’ at 5th & Paisley Boutique, YUM – A Southern Market and House of Dazzle Boutique. Local vintage and antique shops in the area include Lux Upscale Resale and Now & Then Antique Mall. Stop by Anemoia Mercantile for the latest in stationary and fountain pen needs. Fishing enthusiasts – don’t miss stopping by Reseller’s Reef for new and used fishing gear.

Close up of rack of hanging clothing.
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