Florida Hikes

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

Trail through a deeply shaded forest

Camp Chowenwaw Trails

Explore Camp Chowenwaw Park on a network of trails into an old-growth hardwood hammock and floodplain swamps near where Black Creek empties into the St. Johns River.

Green Cove Springs (30.039333, -81.712972)   3.1 miles   Camp Chowenwaw Park

Burrowing deep into hardwood hammocks along the edge of the Black Creek floodplain, this loop hike circles one of the region’s more unique parks.

Florida’s oldest Girl Scout camp, Camp Chowenwaw was purchased by Clay County in 2006 to protect the property for posterity.

Yellow blaze on tree in lush forest The mature hardwood hammock is a delight to hike

Scattered through the forest in themed groupings, camping cabins provide a family camping option close to the Jacksonville metro.

They include a cluster of screened treehouses built in the 1970s. Campers can also make use of primitive camping areas in the hardwood forest.

Cabin on stilts with staircase and picnic table at base Treehouse cabin

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in North Florida book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover Paddlers Guide Florida
 
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.

Overview

Location: Green Cove Springs
Length: 3.1 miles
Trailhead: 30.039333, -81.712972
Address: 1517 Ball Road, Green Cove Springs
Fees: Free. Camping fees apply.
Restroom: At the visitor center and near Big Cabin
Land manager: Clay County Parks
Phone: 904-529-8058

Open 8 AM to sunset daily. Leashed dogs welcome.

Call ahead to make camping reservations, or take your chances on a walk-in on a weekday. Check in for campsites between 1-4 PM.

Camping is in cabins or tents only, no campers or vans, and you must walk to your campsite from the parking area. Carts to pull your gear are available.

Directions


 
Camp Chowenwaw Park is 4 miles north of Green Cove Springs off US 17 on the west side of the highway just before the bridge over Black Creek leading to Fleming Island. The entrance sign is somewhat obscured by a large subdivision built in recent years. Follow the entrance road to the ranger station to check in for camping. Park either there or at Big Lodge to walk the trails.

Hike

Beginning the hike alongside Big Cabin, walk towards the pool and look to the right for an ornate entrance to the Jungle Trail.

Stepping onto the sturdy boardwalk bordered by a lush assortment of trees and shrubs, the trail truly invokes the sense of being enveloped by a dense jungle.

Archway over boardwalk entrance Jungle Trail entrance

Along the way, a built-in bench provides a spot for quiet reflection, suspended above the primordial wetland forest.

Approaching trail’s end, the wooden walkway stretches over Black Creek, providing panoramic views of the waterway and St. Johns River beyond a nearby road bridge.

Deck along creek Black Creek observation deck

Returning to Big Cabin, continue around the pool to follow an access road past the nature center and Otter Springs before reaching the beginning of the Treehouse Trail.

Follow an impressive boardwalk through a floodplain swamp adjacent to Peter’s Creek.

Large carved stone and boardwalk in floodplain Start of the Treehouse Trail

Tall cypress, swamp tupelo, and hickory trees tower over a sea of ferns and grasses dotted with showy purple prairie iris blooms in the springtime.

The Treehouse Trail doesn’t provide direct access to the treehouses, although it does pass them near the end of the route before curving back to the access road.

Boardwalk in cypress swamp Treehouse Trail boardwalk

Follow the road eastward through the tent camping area to access the Hickory Trails across from the parking area at Big Cabin.

A side trail leads to the Hickory Trail main loop, traversing gently rolling terrain shaded under a canopy of large magnolias, loblolly pines, and oaks.

Yellow blaze on large pine next to trail Large loblolly pine

Turning right to begin the loop in a counterclockwise direction, follow yellow blazed trees past the Squirrel Run cabins, crossing seasonally wet spots on small bridges.

Several interpretive signs describe various flora found alongside the trail as it winds past the Hickory Flats and Ahwennnasa cabins.

Dining hall and campground in lush forest Hickory Flats camping area

Reaching a sign indicating the Red Cedar trail at 0.7 mile, a trail that isn’t mentioned on the park maps.

Turn right to make a detour onto this side route, meandering through stands of juniper trees and an open area dotted with pines near the park entrance.

Marker in front of large red cedar Red cedar along the Cedar Trail

Where the trail crosses the main entrance road, a butterfly garden contains native and pollinator friendly plants.

Interpretation describes different species of butterflies and host plants found nearby.

In a quarter mile, this 3.1 mile loop concludes at the short side trail leading back to the parking area.

Kiosk in front of small garden Butterfly garden

Trail Map

Camp Chowenwaw Park Trail Map
Red: Hickory and Red Cedar Trails. Brown: Treehouse Trail. Green: Jungle Trail.

Explore More!

Learn more about Camp Chowenwaw Park

1970s treehouse cabin on stilts in the woods Camp Chowenwaw Park In a deep forest on Black Creek north of Green Cove Springs, Camp Chowenwaw Park is a unique destination for campers and hikers, a former Girl Scout camp with a rich history.

Video

Hiking Camp Chowenwaw Park

Slideshow

See our photos from hiking Camp Chowenwaw Park

Nearby Adventures

Sand path along cypress swamp Ronnie Van Zandt Memorial Park Gimme three steps and a whole lot more on a circuit of a park established to honor the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, northwest of Green Cove Springs where he grew up.
Trail along the side of a creek Jennings Pioneer Trail With elevation changes, streams, and cascades, the Pioneer Trail is as close as you can get to the Appalachian Trail experience without leaving the Florida peninsula.

Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Website

Chris Stevens
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