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    El Rio Trail

    4.6 (13 reviews)

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    Glenn G.

    If you enjoy a good bike ride but don't appreciate the vehicular traffic that makes a joyful ride into ride risking an accident resulting in an injury or worse... then City planned pedestrian/bicycle trails are the perfect solution; and the City of Boca Raton has been constructing them all over the city. I first came across one of Boca Raton's dedicated trails a few years back when I took a bike ride through residential streets (to avoid traffic and risk of an accident) to ride around Florida Atlantic University's campus and instead I ended up finding the south end of the El Rio Trail (located at Glades Road at the southeast corner of FAU campus. At the time the trail ran north from Glades Road along the El Rio Canal (which runs along the east side of the campus) meandering north to Yamato Road. The city constructed resting points with benches and trash bins along the trail (which is about 10 feet wide with a center line just like a traffic lane). Along the way the trail meets to streets to be crossed; the first being NW 20th St which leads directly into FAU. The other street is more trafficked roadway, Spanish River Boulevard. What's interesting is, at most roadways pedestrians and bicycles hit a Crosswalk Signal Push Button and then have to wait for the traffic intersection to eventually let you go... but at these crossings, you hit the Crosswalk Signal Push Button and it's immediate with lights and an audible sounds (ALTHOUGH CARS DO IGNORE IT SOME SO BE CAREFUL STILL). At the north end approaching Yamato Road, the city worked with the Florida Department of Traffic (FDOT) to provide tunnels and crossings underneath Interstate 95 and the new Spanish River Boulevard access roadways and interstate ramps. Be careful here too because when the rains get heavy and the water table is high in the El Rio Canal, the water has come up onto the pathways in the section beneath the Interstate and it tends to get a bit dark on cloudy days (even though it has lighting). And once you do finally reach Yamato Road, you can go directly to Yamato Road OR you can access the Tri-Rail Station; they even have a short-cut bridge to go directly to the northbound side of the station. For awhile I heard rumors that the trail was going to extend all the way to the edge of Delray Beach... AND on my last ride they were finishing up a new section which proved the rumors to be true. The good news is that you don't have to mess with Yamato Road (as this street is a nightmare of traffic and not one I want to be crossing); they have constructed another underpass still running along the El Rio Canal. The new section of trail continues north but you do have to cross three roads if you intend on riding to the Delray Beach border. Congress is the largest of the three and does include a Crosswalk Signal Push Button but the other two do not.. As with any bike ride, be mindful of other bikers/pedestrians and be careful... and enjoy !

    Alligators  warning

    Lovely quiet ride took me an hour and a half to ride the trail from start to finish and back to start. I stopped once for my dog who rides in my basket to take a potty break.

    Tim S.

    I like a good bike ride, jog, or even a walk now and then. But rarely do I find a park you can do this in. usually I am content to be jogging or otherwise right on the local roads. Well the other day I noticed a trail that crossed across the Spanish River Blvd. I drove by thinking, I need to check this path out. So one day I biked over to it and then rode the length of it. it was a nice, peaceful ride along a water way. It went for a few miles, with other people walking along it as well. I read the sign and learned it was consider a linear park, and was fairly new. It looked quite nice. The pavement was very smooth but offered different looks throughout its length. And the many bridges and roads along it makes the time fly by Time really flies, especially the couple times I have jogged it, it gives mini goals that way(run till the next tree, the next road, the next overpass). I feel lucky I discovered this "park", it gives me a spot to jog that's nice, and not on the road.

    Turtle is enjoying the trail too!
    Cheryl G.

    Great trail because it's paved. Does have some shade but quite a lot of sun. On a cloudy, breezy day it's the best!

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Nice bike trail. Good for road bikes--all paved. Not terrible interesting but a nice 10 mile (r/t...approx) ride.

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    Ask the Community - El Rio Trail

    Are dogs allowed?

    Yes they are

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    Review Highlights - El Rio Trail

    The trail goes from just south of Congress and Linton to Glades road on a winding, fully paved path away from scary automotive traffic.

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    Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - UF contribution

    Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

    4.6(260 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    This place is so great! Completely free. We did donate some money because we had a great time…read more Mostly shaded which was great for my mom who can't stay out in the sun for long. The nature walks are short too. And it's very accessible. Even a ramp all the way up to the look out point so people in wheel chairs can view too. It's shaded from all the mangroves and palms. And the tree that it's named after gumbo limbo! Which is a red tree that peels We attended the free 10:00 am tour which lasted an hour. It was mostly the tour guide talking who is a volunteer and very nice. Very enthusiastic. It was a little drawn out and we stoped every 10 steps but worth it. I took the stopping moments to take everything in and even spotted huge spiders. I forgot what they are called but there are the biggest ones I have seen and they are all over. He said they can bite but it's like a bee sting and not poisonous. And they stay off the path anyway. There are huge tanks of really big fish. The barracuda is huge and has the cleanest teeth. These fish are fed well. The place is kept very clean, there are a lot of staff to answer your questions. And there is someone even cleaning the outside of the tanks. They also have a sea horse tank. The butterfly garden is small, saw some zebra butterflies and I think a cardinal bird. You can walk towards the inlet and there is a small peaceful beach and picnic area that is covered. Parking lot is small but plenty of parking on a Tuesday morning at 9:30, but the time we left at 11:30 it was filled and there was a school bus. Figure 1.5 to 2 hours here. They also have a fish feeding at 12:30 but we were done before then. Would come back again!

    I'm not sure how I've never been here before but leave it to social media to hype up the new…read moreJacob's Overlook and prompt a visit. This small but mighty facility rescues and researches turtles and other marine life but turtles mainly. Staff/volunteers are very friendly, informative, and eager to help. They have fish feeding and turtle talks not sure if daily or just weekends but check their website for schedule. Also check the weather because if there is lightning, they will close. This spot is free but you can make a donation in the main building to help support the education and research provided here. There is free parking but it gets full quick. However the place is not that large and it may take only a couple loops to line up with someone leaving. If not there is paid beach parking across the street along the road there. There isn't a food or beverage but maybe bring a water bottle if you plan on doing the overlook (especially as it gets hotter). They have a butterfly garden but we only saw one butterfly at the time. They have two tall tanks where they do the feedings that have fish, rays, and a couple turtles. They also have two smaller tanks, one with really large fish and another with smaller. There are some outdoor tortoises as well as a college Marine research area where you can watch them being studied and ask questions of the students there. The overlook is beautiful and provides a nice view of the intracoastal and a slight view of the ocean. There are a few interactive educational boards along the walk up the ramp. If you want a more direct route up or down, they also have stairs. The path also extends into the mangroves and along the way back to the main building.

    Photos
    Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - Various sea life tanks

    Various sea life tanks

    Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - Info guide on new overlook

    Info guide on new overlook

    Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - Large fish tanks

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    Large fish tanks

    Patch Reef Park

    Patch Reef Park

    4.6(43 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    This park truly had a glow-up -- and I mean a serious one…read more About a year ago, I wasn't the biggest fan of Patch Reef Park. The playground used to feel a bit unsafe, especially for younger kids. There were tall play structures (including a ship-style area) with spots lacking proper railings, and some slides ended too high off the ground, which made landings uncomfortable and even risky. The splash area was a fun idea, but the flooring was worn out, and the restrooms definitely needed an upgrade. Fast forward to now -- everything has changed. The renovation completely transformed this space into one of our favorite family spots, especially during hot Florida days. The playground is now fully enclosed with a fence and has a single entrance, which makes it much easier to keep an eye on kids The layout is circular, so visibility is great from almost any angle There's a shaded splash pad area (huge plus in the summer!) A separate, safe toddler zone -- thoughtfully designed and much more secure Soft ground (similar to artificial turf) -- very comfortable for kids The splash area has rubber flooring, and the play structures for older kids are still fun but noticeably safer now. There are also two swing areas and a basketball court. Small note: I personally think the basketball area should be fenced off -- balls can occasionally fly into the playground (we've experienced that ourselves). There are benches and picnic tables, but they fill up quickly on weekends. Pro tip: bring a picnic blanket and lunch -- it turns into the perfect cozy family setup. Other great features: * Clean, spacious restrooms (with very large changing stations) * Drinking water fountain * Easy parking * A cute little free book box -- bring a book, take a book * Walking trails with lots of greenery -- perfect for scooters and relaxed strolls One tiny aesthetic note -- some of the flooring colors (bright red/blue) feel a bit intense visually, but the green areas look beautiful and natural. Overall: an amazing upgrade. Safe, clean, well-designed, and very family-friendly. We come here often now, and the kids absolutely love it.

    A beautiful public park with a community center, ballfields, playgrounds, basketball courts,…read morepickleball courts tennis courts,, picnic areas, and lots of free parking. A huge new indoor Pickleball center is being constructed. They have a practice wall, which I absolutely love. I checked in at the pro shop and was assigned with my team three courts. They are beautifully maintained and in fabulous shape. There are lots of clean well stopped restrooms. There were benches, tables and water fountains on each court.

    Photos
    Patch Reef Park
    Patch Reef Park
    Patch Reef Park

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    Lake Wyman Park

    Lake Wyman Park

    4.6(8 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    I was recently in the Boca Raton area and I drove past this park and decided to check it out and go…read morefor a stroll. The park is big (over 8 acres) and it has a lot of amenities for locals and visitors, here you can enjoy Baseball / Softball, Basketball Courts, Volleyball, Tennis Courts, Soccer Fields, walking tracks (almost half a mile with nice exercise stations), and several playgrounds... For those not so much into active life and sports, you can still enjoy the park by using their grills, pavilion, picnic areas, picnic shelters. There is plenty of parking and nice clean restrooms. The park is open from 8 a.m to Sunset, every day of the week. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park.Pets are not permitted in the park, either. Come by and enjoy this nice green space !

    Cute, little well maintained park in Boca Raton. The parks contains balls fields, a basketball…read morecourt, and volleyball court. In addition there are several playgrounds and pavilions. Everything was open. I enjoyed the running/fitness track which circles the park. The track is made of a squishy like material which at first I felt like I was sinking into, but by the second day I got used to. There were plenty of people using the park but it did not seem over crowded, it looked like parking may be an issue if there was a game or too many visitors. it was a pleasant place to spend some time while my son was practicing!

    Photos
    Lake Wyman Park - Some times just get on the swing and relax

    Some times just get on the swing and relax

    Lake Wyman Park
    Lake Wyman Park

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    Wakodahatchee Wetlands - Tri colored heron with the blue eggs

    Wakodahatchee Wetlands

    4.8(331 reviews)
    7.3 mi

    This place is such a hidden gem in Delray Beach! Wakodahatchee Wetlands is packed with wildlife,…read moreand the boardwalk trail makes it easy to soak it all in without disturbing the natural habitat. On my recent visit, there were so many wood storks nesting!! I spotted babies peeking out of nests, along with adults perched on eggs. It felt like stepping into a real-life nature documentary. Beyond the storks, I also saw a marsh rabbit, anhingas, several types of ducks, and even a Great Blue Heron just casually doing its thing. What makes this spot even cooler is that the wetlands are man-made, but they've become a thriving ecosystem--proof that nature finds a way when given the chance. It's free to visit, and there's plenty of parking. Even when it looks full, just be patient--spots open up quickly with people coming and going. The full loop is about ¾ of a mile, with a few covered seating areas along the way if you want to pause and take it all in. Definitely wear a hat, bring water, and don't forget your camera--you'll want it. If you live in or are visiting Palm Beach County, this is 100% worth checking out. Peaceful, scenic, and full of surprises!

    Beautiful park. It's about 4000 steps to walk around. Two plus around and you can get your daily…read morenumber ! While we didn't see any alligators, we did see beautiful iguanas, birds and vegetation! Very well kept park. Many benches and stops for shade if needed. PS it's free! I'm sure a donation would be welcomed https://www.wildsouthflorida.com/wakodahatchee.wetlands.html

    Photos
    Wakodahatchee Wetlands - Wood stork

    Wood stork

    Wakodahatchee Wetlands - Great Blue Heron at Wakodahatchee Boardwalk

    Great Blue Heron at Wakodahatchee Boardwalk

    Wakodahatchee Wetlands - Blue eggs

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    Blue eggs

    El Rio Trail - parks - Updated May 2026

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