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    Apoxee Wilderness Trail

    4.6 (15 reviews)

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    Ayla B.

    4.3 mile loop teeming with wildlife! Apoxee Wilderness Trail was a nice hike all around. I liked the old boardwalks over the water, the fact you could catch shade for about half of the trail, and I saw an owl. I couldn't have asked for a better experience for this trail. Keep in mind, even with the shade... it's going to get hot quickly unless you go early! Also, there are a few forks that seem a bit confusing about 75% of the way through, but they all loop back together eventually, even if they aren't well marked. I stayed to the right towards those parts and made it out just fine! There are a few portable toilets at the entrance and they were clean and stocked when I was there. Just bring water with you, keep your head on a swivel for any wildlife, and have fun! I would not recommend having ear buds in for this hike. There's a lot of wildlife and rustling in the bushes/water. I would advise to listening for what's going on around you for safety reasons.

    Adriana R.

    What I love about living in the SW area of Greater West Palm Beach is the abundance of parks and wilderness areas that you can enjoy. The Apoxee Trail is one of the "wilderness urban areas", which I find amazing: when visiting these areas (and big parks) you would think you are far away from civilization, when in fact you don't have to drive for hours to enjoy some open, green and wild places! I knew of this trail for many years because I used to drive by the entrance in my daily commutes to work, but only recently we finally visited it. This trail is "wild" from the very start: there is only a small street bringing you to the entrance and back to Jog Rd, and no parking lot - you will have to park on the side of the street, and depending on the time and the day, you may find it challenging to find a free spot. The park however is so big that it will rarely be crowded! At the entrance of the Apoxee Trail there is also a ¼ mile paved trail, which we checked out before continuing our walk into the park. This trail is very easy and all in the wood's shade. The trail runs on wetlands through boardwalks and natural surfaces in the woods: such surfaces are of course not even, so watch out for roots and stones when walking. It is an extremely peaceful walk where you'll make several stops for wildlife observation (bring your binoculars!), as well for letting through people on bikes. At the end of the Apoxee Trail you can either go back the same way, or continue your walk/ride on the outer loop (called Owahee Trail) before reconnecting with the second part of the Apoxee Trail. If you do this whole trail you will walk over 4 miles. Just so you know, the loop is all under the sun and has a stream on one side. We saw a huge alligator on the opposite side, which means... they could have been on our side too! We encountered a couple of families with kids running and playing very close to the stream, and I don't think that's a great idea... As for every other wilderness area, you will also need to pay extra attention to your surroundings during the alligator's mating season (we usually just avoid going to those areas in that period). The Trail is open every day from sunrise to sunset, but may be closed for flooding after heavy or constant rainfalls. There are portable toilets at the entrance but no access to water, so make sure you go in properly prepared. We will certainly go back to this trail other times!

    spotted hog
    Abigail C.

    This is my absolute favorite trail! Every time I go I see tons of alligators, birds, owls, snakes, hogs, and deer! I did have a run in with a alligator one time that was a little scary but I still love it and still go! Some times the trail does get really full with water that goes to maybe mid shin deep. Also, lots of horsefly's!!!

    Ariel W.

    I finally got to hike the trail thanks to a fellow Yelper contacting me to tell me the trail had reopened. I was able to hike the full Apoxee trail, 2.5 miles with one more mile back to the parking lot. I saw woodstorks, a snake, a roseate spoonbill, great blue heron, egret, limpkin, anhinga, and an alligator. I had a great time hiking my daughter. I absolutely loved this trail.

    Hillary V.

    This is a nice trail, but be forewarned there are trail riders too. It is a decent length with changing views throughout. There is some tree coverage, but I would still recommend a hat. Overall, it was quite beautiful, a little bit challenging, but super fun.

    That's a huge alligator... lucky to be separated by the canal.
    Pauline C.

    Excellent, multiple trails so you can get some variety each time. We live close by and it's a favorite of ours to either hike or ride. Definitely requires a mountain bike as there are many tree branches and soft sand in certain areas.

    Vast swamp lands.
    Naty K.

    About a mile north of Okeechobee Boulevard, on Jog Road, an oasis of wildlife and wetlands awaits at Apoxee Trail (prounounced Ah-PO-EE). Part of the Grassy Waters Preserve, the Apoxee Trail is one of the shortest of all trails (there are a total of 6 trails), at 2.5 miles (one way). The Grassy Waters is responsible for supplying the water of West Palm Beach. Entrance is free, and for those who are handicapped, there is a short, paved ADA trail that branches off into boardwalks with hammocks. If you choose to take the dirt path, you will find a combination of mud, dirt and sand, and boardwalks, but beware, as muddy conditions can be expected and you will get your shoes muddy, unless you come in the winter. Lush palm hammocks, banyan trees, sawgrass, Australian pine and other shrubs surround this area, with wet prairies and swamp. Though wildlife sightings such as great horned owls, bobcats, deer and armadillos are to be expected, sadly, I saw none other than a snake, which was perhaps a foot long, and terrified my friend. I tried getting closer to it to photograph it, but it rattled its tail and left, seems it was more scared of us than we were of it. In addition to the Apoxee Trail, the Hog Hammock Trail, Eagle Trail, Cypress Boardwalk, Owahee Trail and SWA Trail also make up Grassy Waters. If you're an experienced hiker or have high energy levels, you can hike all 6 trails, but you would probably need all day to do so. The Owahee Trail alone is about 17 miles long, which takes most people 3-4 hours. I would love to come back and complete all 6 trails, but I am afraid my friend does not have the energy levels required to complete them. The good news is, the Owahee Trail can also be biked, so if you're not into walking, that is another option. It's flat, so it should not be a very difficult bike ride. All the trails, with the exception of the Cypress, Hog Hammock, Eagle and Apoxee are open from dusk to dawn, though I am not sure how much they enforce it. We were at the Apoxee Trail past 5 and there was no issue. Some people had just gotten started as we were leaving. Though I cannot say this about the other trails, I'd say the Apoxee should be included in those trails open from dusk till dawn. I wish I lived closer, I'd love to venture out and see each trail, it'd make for a great form of exercise on the weekends, and being among nature with clean air and away from the traffic, noise and stress of the city, who wouldn't want to?

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    Ask the Community - Apoxee Wilderness Trail

    Review Highlights - Apoxee Wilderness Trail

    I saw woodstorks, a snake, a roseate spoonbill, great blue heron, egret, limpkin, anhinga, and an alligator.

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    Jonathan Dickinson State Park - River Store Goods!

    Jonathan Dickinson State Park

    4.1(118 reviews)
    19.5 mi

    Every time we come to this Park we are just so delighted. The trails are in great condition. The…read morestaff is always helpful friendly and respectful. It is an hour drive for us but we find it so worth while. The food concession is a tremendous value and the food is great. They have bikes, kayaks and a river tour. Or you can pay the $6.00 per car and pack a lunch for one of the best values for a family. Great place to spend a day.

    Cool park! We drive by often and it's always something we've wanted to stop and check out. I had no…read moreidea this park is so huge! You could drive for 30 minutes and still not see everything! We stopped by on a weekday and the park was pretty and relaxing. Not too many people on the couple of trails we did. The observation tower is closed but they still have a nice boardwalk up to that area that makes for a great walk! It's pretty highly elevated for Florida - kind of impressive in person! Entry is $6 per car, and the lady provided a map and recommended her favorite trail. We checked that trail out as well (the white trail), but the height of the observation tower trail was really the star! We decided to drive around after doing both trails, and we saw their campgrounds. So surprising at how busy this place was! It seemed there was hardly an empty spot! Must be a happening place to camp! We'd definitely return for more adventures, as this is a cool park!

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    Jonathan Dickinson State Park - Camp Food :: Pan-Seared Asian Style Wings!

    Camp Food :: Pan-Seared Asian Style Wings!

    Jonathan Dickinson State Park - Another outstanding weekend of training for Camino de Santiago. Love this park so much.

    Another outstanding weekend of training for Camino de Santiago. Love this park so much.

    Jonathan Dickinson State Park - The long boardwalk to the tower

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    The long boardwalk to the tower

    Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge - ROSARIO S. CASSATA AT NATHANIEL P. REED HOBE SOUND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA.

    Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge

    4.8(6 reviews)
    21.5 mi

    The Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is part of the U.S. National Wildlife…read moreRefuge System. It is located in the Town of Jupiter Island in Florida. This is the perfect spot to learn about the local animal habitats. This great for the kids to enjoy and explore nature at its natural beauty. The Staff and Rangers are very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. The trails are nice and lead to an amazing white sandy beach.

    Nathaniel Reed Hobe sound National refuge is not far from Johnathan Dickenson state park. We decide…read morethat we would take a hike to discover more about nature. The center is closed but you can walk on the trail and get a sense of what old Florida was like. On our walk, we saw a pretty turtle that I named Anastasia she was a sport when it came to taking pictures with her. This trail led us to the beach with its beautiful pristine white sand that looked like snow. Many turtles come to nest at this beach I am told. About this Refuge. The National Wildlife Refuge, a part of the United StatesNational Wildlife Refuge System, is a refuge on Jupiter Island in Florida. Its official name as of 2019 is the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. Part of the refuge is inside the town of Jupiter Island, while the rest is in the unincorporated areas of Martin County. The 1,035-acre refuge was established in 1969, to protect the loggerhead and green sea turtles. It is administered as part of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Within the refuge is the 173-acre Reed Wilderness Seashore Sanctuary, designated a National Natural Landmark in November 1967. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, a significant amount of coastal erosion in Florida is directly attributable to the construction and maintenance of navigation inlets. In July 2013, approximately 200,000 cubic yards (150,000 m3) of beach-quality material was dredged from the St. Lucie Inlet Federal channel and impoundment basin and placed on the downdrift beaches of Jupiter Island in the vicinity of the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, with funding provided to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from the U.S. Congress. Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge was established on September 30, 1969. It is a coastal refuge bisected by the Indian River Lagoon into two separate tracts of land totaling over 1000 acres. The 735-acre Jupiter Island track provides some of the most productive sea turtle nesting habitats in the United States, and the 300-acre sand pine scrub mainland tract is valued because more than 90 percent of this community type has been lost to development in Florida. Sand pine scrub habitat is restricted only to Florida and an adjacent county in Alabama. Hobe Sound Nature Center The Hobe Sound Nature Center is a private non-profit nature center that cooperates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct environmental education and awareness programs about the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. The center was founded in 1973 by and continues to receive major support from the Jupiter Island Garden Club.

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    Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge - ROSARIO S. CASSATA AT NATHANIEL P. REED HOBE SOUND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA.

    ROSARIO S. CASSATA AT NATHANIEL P. REED HOBE SOUND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA.

    Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge - ROSARIO S. CASSATA AT NATHANIEL P. REED HOBE SOUND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA.

    ROSARIO S. CASSATA AT NATHANIEL P. REED HOBE SOUND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA.

    Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge - Coconut soccer on private beach!

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    Coconut soccer on private beach!

    Bingham Island Audubon Preserve

    Bingham Island Audubon Preserve

    3.0(1 review)
    7.3 mi

    The Bingham islands are a series of six islands in the Lake Worth Lagoon. The islands house a…read moretreasure of trees and plants including a 300 year old Gumbo Limbo tree and 150 year old Sabal Palms. Since 1942 the islands have been a wildlife sanctuary managed by the Audubon Society under a 99 year lease until 2041 from the Bingham Blossom Bolton family. Visitors are not allowed to step foot on the islands or launch from them but you can kayak and canoe between them. As you paddle by you can see coves and tidal pools that shelter native and migratory birds. Over the years invasive species and garbage have taken over the islands. Years of lightening strikes and hurricanes have made the center of the islands impenetrable. There is however a plan in the works to remove invasive species and replace them with native plants that will restore the islands. Audubon also wants to create an oyster reef that will clean the water of the Lake Worth Lagoon by filtering it. Plans for hiking trails and educational displays have been scraped because Palm Beach zoning won't allow it. For now the parking lot has been closed and the area is surrounded by a chain link fence with no trespassing signs. There is no way into the area and to make sure no one tries I saw the police keeping a close watch. This may have something to do with the islands close location to Trumps Mar a Lago. It's so close that reporters have used the island to camp out on as they reported on the President. It doesn't seem like anything will be done with area soon. The nearby Snook Islands have been restored to great success. If you look out at them you can see that they are covered in birds and they already have the oyster beds in place. Hopefully something similar is in store for the Bingham Islands.

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    Bingham Island Audubon Preserve
    Bingham Island Audubon Preserve
    Bingham Island Audubon Preserve

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    Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area

    Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area

    5.0(1 review)
    7.9 mi

    The Loxahatchee Slough is a 10,391 acre Natural Area that was acquired by Palm Beach in 1996. An…read moreadditional 2,190 acres were purchased in between 2000 and 2007. The County also leases 257 acres from the South Florida Water Management District and 3 acres from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Loxahatchee Slough is actually three separate tracts, the largest of which sits north of PGA Boulevard. There are two access points to the main trail. One is the Bluegill Trail at Sandhill Crane Access Park where there is water, parking and restrooms, and the other is the Pantano Trail from River Bend Park along Indiantown Road. According to the county's Environmental Resources Management Department, Loxahatchee Sloughis the largest and most biologically diverse natural area managed by Palm Beach County. This preserve contains the historic headwaters of the Loxahatchee Wild and Scenic River and has nine native Florida ecosystems: mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, mesic hammock, hydric hammock, wet prairie, depression marsh, slough marsh, strand swamp, and dome swamp. This area attracts many birds. Ninety three different species of birds have been recorded here including limpkins, white ibis, fish crows, common grackles, rock pigeons, red wing blackbirds, American robins, and cedar waxwings. There are also hundreds of plant and animal species. Some of the plants that have been seen are the pineland daisy, jack-in-the-pulpit, Florida tassel flower, fringed yellow star grass, southeastern primrose willow, swamp forest beaks edge, bull tongue arrowhead, fire flag, red mulberry, and swamp bay. Animals found here include the Florida apple snail, handsome Florida grasshopper, gray-green club tail, red ear sunfish, little grass frog, striped mud turtle, wood duck, Florida sandhill crane, bobolink, and Sherman's fox squirrel. Many of the plants and animals found here are endangered or threatened. Through the years this area has been negatively impacted by over drainage, agricultural use, and invasion of non native plant species. Extensive restoration has been done to remove removal invasive non native plants, fill in the drainage ditches and shell mining pits, and replace the culverts leading to the C-18 Canal. This natural area is part of the Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Palm Beach County manages the site with the assistance of the City of Palm Beach Gardens. The Florida Trail Association maintains the 4.5-mile segment of the Ocean to Lake Trail that passes through this area. This area can be biked, hiked, paddled, or traversed by horseback.

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    Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area
    Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area
    Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area

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    Apoxee Wilderness Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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