Holywell Recreation Area

Peace and serenity high in the mountains

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Welcome

Holywell is like a different world. A world of verdant forests, brimming with life. Of panoramic vistas and silent clouds. This is relaxation at its purest.

From your serene and lofty perch here in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, it's hard to believe Kingston is only an hour away. Yet there it is, sprawled out before you in the distance.

Many people make the short drive from Kingston to Holywell to find natural beauty, peace and relaxation, high in the mountains.

If you're looking for something more active than contemplating the beauty of nature, Holywell can accommodate that, as well. There are four nature trails here, perfect for hiking, bird watching and generally immersing yourself in the mountain ecosystem. You'll encounter waterfalls and a rich variety of flora and fauna. Trail guides are available, but not necessary.

Holywell offers expansive picnic areas with barbeque pits and gazebos. It is also home to the Blue and John Crow National Park Visitors' Center, where you can learn more about Jamaica's only national park. There's a Children's Discovery Zone, and coffee and farm tours are also available.

Should you wish to extend your visit overnight (and why wouldn't you?), there are three charming cabins available for rent. Originally built for forest rangers in the 1970's, each cabin has a living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and covered porch with a glorious view of Kingston and the sea. You can also rent a tent, and camp on the park's scenic grounds.

Only an hour's drive from Kingston, yet worlds away from the hustle and pressure of modern day life, the Holywell Recreation Area is a sumptuous tonic for the soul.

Meet: Herme Dawes Holywell Recreation Area

The Experience

Here's what to expect during a full or half day tour

These are some of the activities and experiences available at the Holywell Recreation Area:

  • Blue and John Crow
  • Mountains National Park Visitors' Center
  • Expansive picnic areas with barbecue pits and gazebos
  • Nature trails for hiking and bird watching
  • Waterfalls and scenic vistas
  • Plant nursery
  • Kids Discovery Zone
  • Furnished cabins
  • Camping and tent rental

This tour is great for:

  • Handicrafts
  • Hiking
  • Holywell
About the John Crow Mountains National Park

About the John Crow Mountains National Park

Established in 1993, the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park (BJCMNP) is Jamaica's first and only National Park. In 2015, BJCMNP was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is the first "mixed" site (having both natural and cultural significance in the Caribbean, and one of only 32 around the world.

BJCMNP is comprised of 26,252 hectares of tropical montane rainforest, and is often referred to as "the lungs of eastern Jamaica."

The park is rich in biodiversity, and home to several endemic species, including the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly, Jamaican Coney and Jamaican Boa.

The Blue and John Crow Mountains are culturally significant because of their association with the Maroons. These former enslaved Africans escaped from the nearby sugar plantations, and established settlements, trails and hiding places in the lofty altitudes. You can still hike many of the Maroon trails, including the Nanny Town Heritage Route, named after Queen Nanny, who led the Maroons in their battle for freedom against the British.

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