Green Cove Springs (Clay County)

Clay County, located in Northeast Florida, is a short 30-minute drive from Jacksonville International Airport.    Conveniently located southwest of the City of Jacksonville and west of St. Augustine, Clay County is rich in tradition and history.  The county is well known for its quality of life and family friendly atmosphere and contains highly-rated schools, five public libraries; numerous community and regional parks; six golf courses and the Thrasher-Horne Performing Arts Center offering a wide array of live theatre, musical entertainment and a speakers series.
The Town of Orange Park, located in the northern section of the county, is the county's largest community.   Most of the hotels in Clay County and numerous restaurants are located in Orange Park and can easily be reached from Exit 10 off Interstate 295.    The bustling Jacksonville Naval Air Station is a short drive north of Orange Park on U.S. 17.   Shopping at the Orange Park Mall is friendly and lively and the Orange Park Kennel Club provides year round greyhound racing and poker rooms.    Several of Orange Park's original Civil War era homes are on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida including the William Clarke Estate and the Winterbourne Inn. 
If you would like to experience "Old Florida" don't miss visiting the City of Green Cove Springs.  The natural mineral spring in Spring Park has attracted visitors to Green Cove Springs since the late 1800's.   Green Cove Springs is also the county seat and home to the Clay County Historical & Railroad Museum, the historic Clay County Courthouse and "haunted" 1894 Jail, the Military Museum of North Florida and the Clay County Fairgrounds which hosts year round special events and festivals.
Clay County contains almost forty-six square miles of lakes and rivers making watersports and fresh-water fishing a great experience.   Looking for some local flora and fauna?   Camp Chowenwaw Park on the banks of Black Creek, offers primitive, tent and treehouse camping as well as a great place to observe a bald eagle nest or to launch a kayak or canoe.      Bird-watching is a must as you stroll along the boardwalk at Moccasin Slough Park or bring your bicycle and ride through the pines on one of the county's numerous walking/cycling trails. Read Less