Camp Chowenwaw Park - Treehouse Point

Every dream about visiting a campground where all of the campsites are actually up in the trees? Well, look no further than Camp Chowenwaw Park. This slice of verdant paradise is just due west of St. Johns River in Green Cove Springs. When I first researched this place, because of its name, I couldn’t believe what I was in store for. 

First of all, among the dozen or so treehouse campsites, there is very great space between each of the treehouses, although the area when we visited still seemed somewhat sparsely populated with brush and encircled by a wide swath of a nature preserve. This campground has all of the typical amenities that you would expect: fire rings, standing BBQ grills and running water. The area with the Treehouse campsites offers up a wholly dedicated his and hers bathroom and shower facilities (while not the most spartan, they are functional and kept fairly clean) as well as a working kitchen and even a screened-in mess hall for large groups. The dispersed camping area, of which there’s a half dozen or so campsites, is completely on the ground with 15 x 15 sand / pebble boxes for you to plant your tent in. 

About a ¼ mile from these two campgrounds you’ll come across the Bayard swimming pool, which is an excellent size and open to the public as well as fellow campers. Over here you’ll also see that there’s a Kayak-dispensing machine (yeah, just have a look at the photos!) as well as a nature center and access to a handful of really good, yet basic hiking trails. 

Insider’s tip? Here’s a BIG ONE – if you get tired of roasting hot dogs and beans fireside, just head on over to nearby Woodpecker’s for the finest BBQ that I’ve ever had in the great state of Florida. 

Happy Camping!

We stayed here for a night and loved it. There were short trails, a kayak/canoe launch, a pool, dock, fishing, and clean amenities. There are lots of mosquitoes, so beware of that and bring bug spray. We had the Squirrel Run cabin which had AC and 6 bunk beds. Which was great for our family of 6. No one else was there, so we had the whole area, campfire, mess hall, and bathroom to ourselves. The only downside was the fact that they are very strict at the pool. The children had to do swim tests and wear a necklace denoting which portion of the pool they could be in.

We found this fun family friendly location from a facebook post about Tree house camping and had to check it out. Making reservations was pretty easy on the county website. There are a number of forms you will be emailed to print and fill out(will save you a lot of time if you plan to use the pool that is run by YMCA) 

Check in was easy. The office is closed form 12– 1 so no chance of checking in early. There is a Girl Scout Museum near the main office where you check is– but is rarely open. This was an old girl scout camp and now id open to the public. There are many different types of cabins available for rent, tent sites and 9 tree houses. Each area set up as a grouping with a bathhouse and kitchen pavilion. 

The tree houses were so fun to stay in and being higher up gave us chances of a breeze– many in our group brought battery operated fans. Though there was a threat of rain all weekend we stayed high and dry in the tree houses(2 sides are only screened) 

There was a very large lighted screened kitchen pavilion with fireplace, stove, fridge, sinks and covered outdoor grill. There were other campers in the tree house area we shared this community area with. It was great to have a place to hang out during the rainy evenings. Bath house was centrally located and clean. 

Pool was very nice and very strictly run by the local“Y”. It was closed a lot due to distant rumbles of thunder but we did get a few minutes to enjoy. 

Trails were well kept and took you through the property and past many of the grouped cabin areas. One boardwalk took you out to the river and fishing dock another out through the area by the tree houses. 

It was a good 10 minute hike with our gear to get to the tree houses from parking area near pool. Wagons are provided but pack light to save the trouble. 

Summertime this place is a kids paradise. There were lots of families, parties and groups on the property when we went. Fall and Winter we are told is the best time to camp here but we were advised to book early! 

Remember to Leave No Trace and enjoy this one of a kind experience!