State Historic Site · Florida

Paynes Creek Historic State Park

Location: Hardee County, Florida
Nearest town: 1.5 miles southeast of Bowling Green
Type: State Historic Site

About Paynes Creek Historic State Park

Fort Chokonikla once stood on this ground, built along the water where Payne's Creek meets the landscape near Bowling Green. The park preserves the site of the 1849 attack that gave the creek and the fort their historic name, land recognized in 1978 through its listing on the National Register of Historic Places as the Payne's Creek Massacre-Fort Chokonikla Site. Visitors come to the spot where that history unfolded, marked by its designation the same year the park was established.

Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.

Getting there

Paynes Creek Historic State Park is in Hardee County, Florida, 1.5 miles southeast of Bowling Green. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.

State parks near Paynes Creek Historic State Park

Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 147 in Florida →

Towns near Paynes Creek Historic State Park

State parks near Sebring, State parks near Lakeland, State parks near Sun City Center, State parks near Haines City, State parks near Tampa, State parks near North Port

Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.