Palm Beach County Parks and Nature Near Home: State Parks, Preserves and Trails

Palm Beach County parks give buyers far more than beaches. The county runs large regional parks along rivers and lakes, and state and federal lands protect Everglades marsh, pine flatwoods and undeveloped beach. A short drive north, Martin County adds a big state park and a wildlife refuge near Hobe Sound. This guide covers the main parks, preserves and trails near Jupiter, Hobe Sound and Loxahatchee, what they cost to visit, and how living near them shapes a neighborhood.

Key takeaways

• Riverbend Park in Jupiter covers about 645 acres along the Loxahatchee River, with nearly 10 miles of hiking and biking trails and about 7 miles of equestrian trails.
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park spans about 11,500 acres, mostly in Martin County between Hobe Sound and Tequesta, and it protects Florida's first National Wild and Scenic River.
• Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge protects 3.5 miles of Atlantic beach and charges $5 a day or $25 a year.
• Near Loxahatchee, J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area covers about 60,500 acres. The Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge covers 145,188 acres and charges $10 a day per vehicle.
• Homes near big preserves trade more space and quiet for longer drives and wildlife at the door.

How Palm Beach County parks are organized

Parks here fall under several owners, and that affects fees and rules. Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation runs regional parks, beach parks and nature centers. The Florida Park Service runs state parks such as John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Federal agencies run national wildlife refuges. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages wildlife management areas, where hunting seasons can close parts of the land.

For a homeowner, the owner matters because it sets the hours, fees and pet rules. It also tells you whether nearby land is likely to stay wild. Public conservation land rarely turns into a subdivision. That said, always check the zoning and the land use map for any parcel next to a home you like.

Jupiter-area Palm Beach County parks and preserves

Jupiter sits where the Loxahatchee River meets the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean. It has some of the most varied outdoor options in the county.

Riverbend Park

Riverbend Park sits at 9060 Indiantown Road in Jupiter. The county's park page lists about 645 acres, open from sunrise to sunset. The park has nearly 10 miles of shell rock trails for biking and walking, nearly 7 miles of equestrian trails and about 5 miles of waterways. Canoe and kayak rentals come from a private outfitter on site. The park also holds the Loxahatchee Battlefield, a Second Seminole War site, and part of the Ocean to Lake Trail.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

On a barrier island in northern Palm Beach County, MacArthur Beach State Park pairs 1.6 miles of ocean beach with an estuary. It is the only state park in the county, according to its support group. Its features include a nature center, nature trails and kayak trips to Munyon Island. The beach is also a busy sea turtle nesting area. State parks charge an entry fee, so check the Florida State Parks website for current rates.

Neighborhoods near these parks range from older single-family streets to gated golf communities and waterfront homes. Our Jupiter area page has current listings. According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Jupiter had 766 active residential listings with a median list price of $859,495.

Hobe Sound: state park and wildlife refuge

Hobe Sound is in Martin County, just north of the Palm Beach County line, so these lands are not Palm Beach County parks. However, many Jupiter and Tequesta residents use them every week.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Jonathan Dickinson State Park covers about 11,500 acres west of U.S. 1, south of Hobe Sound and next to Tequesta, according to the state's park management plan. It protects most of the Loxahatchee River's Wild and Scenic corridor. The river was designated in 1985, years before the state's only other such river, the Wekiva, in 2000. Visitors hike, bike, paddle, fish and camp. Hobe Mountain, at 86 feet the park's highest point, has an observation tower. The park also holds Camp Murphy's World War II remnants and the Trapper Nelson Zoo Historic District.

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge

The Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge protects 3.5 miles of Atlantic beach, which the refuge calls the largest stretch of undeveloped beach in southeastern Florida. It is one of the region's busiest sea turtle nesting areas. The refuge also covers nearly 10 miles of mangroves on the Indian River Lagoon and sand pine scrub habitat. Entry costs $5 a day or $25 a year, and there is a nature center with live animals.

Hobe Sound itself is a small market, and homes near the water or the preserves come up only now and then. According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Hobe Sound had 223 active listings with a median list price of $549,250.

Loxahatchee and the western Palm Beach County parks

West of the turnpike, the county opens up into large lots, horse farms and wide natural areas. Loxahatchee and The Acreage overlap here, so listing data for the two can blur together.

J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area

Corbett covers about 60,497 acres off Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, according to the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. An entry fee applies. The south entrance leads to a boardwalk and trail through cypress domes and pine flatwoods. The area is also home to the most southeastern population of red-cockaded woodpeckers. Because it is a hunting area, it closes for about two weeks before archery season. So check FWC's season dates before you plan a visit.

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

The Loxahatchee refuge covers 145,188 acres of northern Everglades. Its main entrance is at 10216 Lee Road in Boynton Beach, and the visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry costs $10 a day or $25 a year per vehicle. The refuge has a cypress swamp boardwalk, levee trails, a canoe trail and fishing, and it supports more than 250 bird species.

Okeeheelee Park

Closer to West Palm Beach, Okeeheelee Park on Forest Hill Boulevard covers about 1,660 acres, per the county's listing. It has 8 miles of bike paths, a 9-mile equestrian trail, a nature center, a 27-hole golf course, a dog park and water ski lakes. It suits families who want an active park without the drive to a refuge.

According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Loxahatchee had 216 active listings with a median list price of $795,000. Many of those homes sit on acreage.

How living near Palm Beach County parks shapes a neighborhood

Living next to a preserve changes daily life in clear ways. Here is what owners near big parks often mention.

• More open space and less building next door, since protected land rarely gets built on.
• Trail and paddle access within minutes, sometimes on foot or by bike.
• Wildlife close to home, from wading birds to snakes and, in some western areas, larger animals.
• Darker, quieter nights in the western areas, but longer drives to shopping and jobs.
• Seasonal crowds and traffic near popular park entrances, especially on winter weekends.

Buyers often value these features, but we do not put a dollar figure on park proximity. It varies by street, view, flood zone and lot size. In practice, a home that backs onto a preserve may draw more interest than a similar home across the street. A comparable sales review is the best way to judge it for one property.

Questions to ask before buying near a preserve

1. Who owns the land behind the house, and is it set aside for conservation?
2. Are there prescribed burns, hunting seasons or mosquito control programs nearby?
3. What is the flood zone, and how did the street drain in past storms?
4. Does the HOA have rules on fences, pets or wildlife?
5. How long is the drive to work, schools and shopping at rush hour?

Palm Beach County parks by lifestyle

Different buyers want different things from a park. Here is a quick way to match them.

• Paddlers often like the Loxahatchee River at Riverbend Park and Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
• Beach walkers and turtle fans tend to pick MacArthur Beach and Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge.
• Riders can use the equestrian trails at Riverbend and Okeeheelee, plus large lots in Loxahatchee.
• Birders head to the Loxahatchee refuge and Corbett.
• Families who want playgrounds, fields and short trails usually choose Okeeheelee and other regional parks.

Frequently asked questions

What is the largest natural area near Loxahatchee?

The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge covers 145,188 acres. J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area covers about 60,497 acres.

Do Palm Beach County parks charge entry fees?

It depends on the site. County park pages list charges for things like pavilion rentals and permits. Meanwhile, the national wildlife refuges and Corbett charge for entry, and state parks charge an entry fee too. Check each site before you go.

Is Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Palm Beach County?

Mostly not. The state's management plan says the park occupies land in both Martin and Palm Beach counties, and most of it lies in Martin County between Hobe Sound and Tequesta. It is a short drive from Jupiter.

Where can I ride horses near Palm Beach County parks?

Riverbend Park has nearly 7 miles of equestrian trails, and Okeeheelee Park has a 9-mile equestrian trail and an equestrian center.

Can a preserve next door be developed later?

Conservation land is rarely developed, but not every green space is protected. Check who owns the land and its zoning before you buy.

Sources

• Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, Riverbend Park
• Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, Okeeheelee Park
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
• Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, J.W. Corbett WMA
• Florida DEP, Jonathan Dickinson State Park unit management plan (2012)
• Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park
• National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, Loxahatchee River

Own a home near the parks and thinking of selling? Pure Equity can price it against nearby sales and show buyers what the location offers. Planning a move to Jupiter or the Treasure Coast? Request a free relocation consultation, and we will match you with neighborhoods near the trails and water you want. Contact our team.