Camp Chowenwaw Park

Ever wish you could return to your teen years when you discovered nature at a scout camp? Well, you can at Camp Chowenwaw County Park in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Camp Chowenwaw County Park was Florida’s first Girl Scout Camp. Today, it offers 150 acres of natural fun with a touch of history.  Located about 30 minutes from two of Florida’s popular destination spots: Jacksonville and Saint Augustine, it sits at the confluence of the St. Johns River and Black Creek.

Touch of History

In 1933, the Girl Scout Council of Duval County purchased a 67-acre parcel for $250 to build a summer camp where girl scouts could learn about nature. They named the camp “Chowenwaw,” meaning “sister” or “little sister” in the Creek language.

In March 2006, Clay County bought the camp and repurposed it into a public conservation and outdoor recreation area. Today, it’s a popular park with camping, cabins, a swimming pool, hiking trails, a fishing pier, and kayak launches.

Its Chowenwaw Centuries Exhibit Museum tells the park’s history. One of the first things I saw in the museum was a portion of a prehistoric canoe about 6,000 years old. Other exhibits display pottery fragments that tell the stories of Clay County’s early inhabitants. The Girl Scout exhibit features many personal items from Florida women who enjoyed the camp as young scouts.

One of my favorite historical parts of the park is Big Cabin, the earliest large structure built at the camp. Built by the CCC during the Great Depression, the structure features pine timbers with a large porch.  It sits shaded by old-growth pines and oak trees beside the swimming area on Black Creek. The fireplace is made of Swedish granite stones that were ballast in 19th-century sailing ships.

In the past it served as a central gathering lodge for Girl Scout troops, a meeting space for camp programs, crafts, and nature lessons, and a sleeping cabin for larger groups. It’s a testament to the young men who built it that it’s still in use today as a rental space for events.

A Place for Nature Lovers

For nature lovers, Pawpaw Nature Center is another of my favorites. It tells of the wildlife you will find here. There’s a “Touch Me Tray” with things like a bird eggshell, bones, tree bark, and other items that tell about what lives in this park. Exhibits tell of the wildlife you may see here, from the many birds to possums, raccoons, foxes, and more. There is a display of animal skulls including a large alligator skull. I would not have wanted to meet him alive in the water. My favorite exhibit here is a realistic-looking gopher turtle emerging from its burrow.

Since it’s on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, you’re sure to spot some birds and maybe an otter or deer.

“We have snowy egrets and great egrets. We also have a variety of herons like little blue herons, great blue herons, night herons, and tricolored herons occasionally,” shared park naturalist, Liz Pigg.

There  are so many including Carolina wrens, cardinals, northern mockingbirds, eastern bluebirds, Ibises. And others

There are 15 miles of trails. I hiked on the 750-foot Jungle Trail out to the observation deck on Black Creek and part of Treehouse Trail. The observation deck is also a great fishing spot. Treehouse Trail winds through a heavily wooded section of the park, through wetlands and to the group of treehouses. There are also equestrian trails, bank fishing and launch sites for canoes and kayaking. Paddleboard rentals are also available.

Don’t miss the Pollinator Garden near the entrance. Besides the plants to draw butterflies and other pollinators, it provides suggestions to help you create your own pollinator garden.

The park offers a self-guided historic walking tour brochure and offers many guided nature walks and park history tours throughout the year.

Lodging Options

Spend the night in a tent under the stars at one of the eight campsites or in a cabin or treehouse. The treehouses feature screened enclosures with four built-in bunks with no electricity and a shared bathhouse and kitchen. Prefer to be indoors? Book one of the There are nine cabins on site. Most have a bathroom and air conditioning. There are many picnic tables around to enjoy a picnic lunch. The park has a lovely swimming pool when you want to cool off.

Chowenwaw Park Location

Chowenwaw Park sits  on Highway 17 just north of Green Cove Springs. The sign on the highway turning you onto Ball Road and the park entrance is easily missed, but if you come to the bridge where Black Creek meets St. Johns River turn around because you missed it by a few blocks.

Inside the park, the ranger station is to the left. You’ll probably be greeted by Park Ranger Liza McCain who provides you with maps and  park information.

 

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