Basic Trail and Conservation Information is available through the St. Johns River Management District Office: www.sjrwmd.com and http://www.sjrwmd.com/programs/operations/land_mgmt/index.html. On the second website are full Recreation Guides which list all the areas in Clay County and North Florida. Location Maps, Property Maps, MapQuest Location Directions, Trail Guides & a Photo Gallery for each area can be downloaded and printed! If you have additional questions, call (386) 329-4404 or to request a Recreation Guide in print. We have some of the guides at the Clay County Chamber of Commerce office also. Call the chamber tourism office at 904-394-7401 .
Websites of Interest for Nature Lovers in Clay County
Water Sports: If it's water activities you desire, then try fishing, sailing, boating, canoeing, kayaking or skiing on one of our many beautiful lakes, the St. Johns River or tranquil Black Creek. Clay County also offers eleven public boat ramps.
See the website above.
Cabins / Campgrounds:
Camp Blanding Recreation Gold Head Branch State Park State Road 16 6239 State Road 21 Starke, FL 32091 Keystone Heights, FL 32656 904-682-3381 (cabins) 352-473-4707 904-682-3104 (campgrounds) www.floridastateparks.org
Whitey's Fish Camp 2032 State Road 220 Orange Park, FL 32073 904-269-4198
HERITAGE:
The Clay County Sesquicentennial (150) Years Anniversary will be coming up in Deccember 2008! If you would like to get involved, contact Art Yeaman at heritage@artyeaman.com or www.ArtYeaman.com or call 904-529-8653. Camp Blanding WWII Museum: SR 16-West of Middleburg. Features: WW II, Korea, Vietnam, & Desert Storm Artifacts, plus. 904-284-9644. Hours: Daily Noon to 4 pm.
Clay County Historic Museum & Triangle: 915 Walnut street, Green Cove springs, FL 32043. Features: Vist the museum, the old jail and newly renovated courthouse all in one location. 904-284-9644. Hours: Sundays 2-5 pm.
Historic Melrose: PO Box 704 , Melrose, FL 32666. Features: 79 sites of National Register of historic places. Maps available at the Clay County Tourism office of the chamber. 904-394-7401.. Driving or walking tour at your leisure.
Middleburg Historic Museum: 3912 Section Street in Middleburg. Features: A National Historic Place with artifacts from early Florida history. 904-282-5357 or 904-282-5342. Hours: Sun 2 to 4 pm.
Penney Farms: CR 218 & Hwy 16 between Middleburg and Green Cove Springs. Features: Founded by JC Penney in 1927, it has a town hall, post office and Penny Memorial Church. 904-529-9395. Hours: Call for tour availability.
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church: 6874 Pine Avenue (turn east onto Hibernia Road from Hwy 17. Follow Hibernia Road to the left and turn right into St. Margaret's.) Features: Built by Margaret FLeming in the 1870's. See Calendar of Events for Histori Hibernia Arts Festival in April. 904-284-3030. Hours: Drive by at your convenience. Visit graveyard. Call for tours.
St. Mary's Episcopal Church: 400 St. Johns Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Features: A nationally registered Site. Built in 1879 and in use today. Hours: Daily. Free Admission. Clay County Historical Archives: http://www.claycountygov.com/menu/archives.htm
SHOPPING:
Orange Park Mall/ AMC 24: Our Famous Orange Park Mall (a Simon Mall) means More Choices. Find fabulous stores like Dillards, Belk, JC Penney, Old Navy and Sears. Located at the corner of Blanding Blvd. and Wells Road. www.simon.com
Antique Shopping: Clay County has a plethora of antique and "curio" shoppes. From the ever popular downtown Green Cove Springs shops along Walnut Street to several scattered around the county. If you discover some others "off the beaten path", be sure to let us know!
St. Augustine Outlet Malls:www.premiumoutlets.com - just 30 minutes southeast from Clay County.
SPORTS: Greyhound Racing: Orange Park Kennel Club has seasonal live and simulcast year round. Watch and wager on live world-class greyhounds, thoroughbred and jai alai. Enjoy simulcast racing day and night. On US 17, 1 mile south of I-295 at Exit 10. 904-646-0001 or www.jaxkennel.com/OP
Soccer: Clay County acknowledges soccer as one of the most rapidly growing sports in the United States, and hosts many soccer tournaments at the Eagle Harbor Soccer Complex, which is recognized as one of the finest facilities in the State of Florida. www.claycountysoccer.com
Fishing & Hunting: The St. Johns River, Black Creek and a few smaller lakes team with black bass, red bass, bream, drum, croaker and flounder. Numerous boat ramps provide easy access. Jennings Forest Wildlife Management area offers hunting of deer, turkey, wild hog, fox squirrel, rabbit, and other game hunting during designated seasons. www.SJRWMD.com or www.floridaconservation.org
Horseback Riding & Rodeo: Popular 4H Clubs in Clay County include five equestrian clubs, 904-284-6355. Numerous riding and boarding stables in the area offer a wide range of activities. The Clay County Agricultural Fair www.claycountyfair.org sponsors a high school rodeo each spring, and the Clay County Cattlemen's Association brings in professional and champion competitors from across the southern United States for PRCA. www.claycountycattlemen.com The January Hunter/Jumper Show attracts competitors from across the nation to this month-long event and it is broadcast on the ESPN Network. www.nfhja.com
BMX Racing: Check out the bicycle motor cross racing in Middleburg. Go to www.middleburgbmx.org for schedules and directions.
