Although the coastal communities are heavily populated, Palm Beach County has done an extraordinary job of preserving natural lands, including large swaths of habitat suitable for backpacking and swamp walking. As a result, there are many hikes here in a broad variety of lengths.
Florida Trail, Henry Creek to Okeechobee
Arcing northward along the shoreline of Lake Okeechobee, this paved segment of the Florida Trail – known locally as the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail – offers spectacular sweeping views of the open water of one of America’s biggest lakes. It’s here you encounter an interesting array of bird life, from sandhill cranes to colonies of… [Continue Reading]
Florida Trail, Ocean to Lake: Corbett WMA
Seen on your GPS or a satellite photo, Corbett WMA appears to be wetlands, wetlands, and more wetlands. But this popular wildlife management area west of West Palm Beach is a place of superlatives: vast prairies, enormous trees, and landscapes that seem to go on forever. Painted with colorful wildflowers in every season, it echoes… [Continue Reading]
Florida Trail, Pahokee to Port Mayaca
*** Hiking south of Port Mayaca to Pahokee is currently prohibited due to reconstruction work on the dike. Thru-hikers should use the western route around Lake Okeechobee. *** The sweep of Lake Okeechobee curves away from your perch on the Herbert Hoover Dike as you walk this section of the Florida Trail along the eastern… [Continue Reading]
Grassy Waters Preserve
Protecting a sheet flow of rainfall moving steadily southward and parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, Grassy Waters Preserve bears a striking resemblance to the Florida Everglades. It’s hard to imagine now, with the crush of humanity along this coast, but this shimmering sheet of sawgrass once was part of the River of Grass, feeding directly… [Continue Reading]
Green Cay Wetlands
Boardwalks meander through a recreated wetlands that bring a touch of the Everglades back to its original home in Boynton Beach. One family can make a difference in the quality of life for their community. Nearly two decades ago, my friends Ted and Trudy Winsburg decided they wanted to leave a legacy with the land… [Continue Reading]
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park – Satinleaf Trail
Before you ever head out to the beach at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, a quick stroll down the Satinleaf Trail will get you oriented to the tropical habitats that this park protects on Singer Island. This easy interpretive nature trail starts near the playground in the first parking area for beach parking, not… [Continue Reading]
Juno Dunes Natural Area
Diversity is the name of the game along the trail at Juno Dunes, where you’ll find not just coastal scrub atop the Atlantic Coastal Ridge but an interesting mosaic of wetlands among the swale between ancient dunes. Juno Beach is a small seaside community north of West Palm Beach, and this preserve encompasses a nice… [Continue Reading]
Riverbend Park
Riverbend Park has been more than a decade in the making. It’s been more than a decade since Riverbend Park was first established, and now that it’s open, the 680 acre preserve is an ideal destination for hikers who want a taste of the wilds of Southwest Florida without getting their feet wet. More than… [Continue Reading]
Wakodatahatchee Wetlands
Wading birds everywhere: that’s the delight of a walk along the boardwalks of Wakodahatchee Wetlands. The first wetlands park in the region, it continues to draw a regular crowd for morning stolls, photography, and serious birdwatching. Resources Overview Location: Delray Beach Length: 0.75 mile boardwalk Lat-Long: 26.477817, -80.144900 Type: linear/loop Fees / Permits: none Difficulty:… [Continue Reading]
