Experiences
Paved and off-road trails are available for biking opportunities in the park. The accessible 2-mile paved multiuse trail runs adjacent to park drive from the main picnic and river area.
Other multiuse trails in the park include the 8.7-mile Ocean to Lake multiuse trail, which can be accessed through other trail systems, and the 8-mile Eagles View multiuse trail system located north of the park’s equestrian area.
Designated bike-only trails are available on the Camp Murphy Off-road Bicycle Trail System. See the Mountain Biking section for more information about these trails.
- Maps and information are available on the publications page or at the Kimbell Education and visitor center.
The Loxahatchee Queen pontoon boat takes visitors on a 90-minute tour of the river with a stop at the restored 1930s camp of Trapper Nelson, the Wildman of the Loxahatchee.
At the site, park staff lead visitors around the grounds and buildings of a true Florida original, who made his living off the land as a trapper and fur trader. Once fame caught up with Trapper, he evolved himself and his home into one of the area's first tourist attractions, Trapper's Zoo and Jungle Gardens. Trapper's unsolved death in 1968 gives a sense of mystery to the site.
A visual interpretation of Trapper Nelson's is available at the visitors center, on the Loxahatchee Queen or onsite by request. A gently sloped and wheelchair-friendly sidewalk leads to a small pier to the boat dock; passengers must be able to get onto the pontoon boat without a wheelchair.
A beach wheelchair is also available for onsite use with advance notice.
- Please contact the park's concession for more information about the tours, 561-746-1466.
- Trapper Nelson's Interpretive Site is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day in season (approximately November through April); closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays off season. The site is accessible only by canoe, small boat or by the tour boat and is tide dependent.
The Loxahatchee River is famous throughout the state for canoeing and kayaking. The upper river winds its way under a canopy of centuries-old cypress trees, giving a real back-in-time experience.
On the lower section, the river becomes a mangrove-lined estuary with ample bird life along its shores.
In 1985, the Loxahatchee became Florida's first federally designated Wild and Scenic River.
- The park concession offers rental canoes, kayaks and motorboats. Please observe the idle speed limit on the river within the park.
Two family campgrounds are located at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Pine Grove Campground, with 90 sites, is located near the ranger station on the east side of the park.
The River Campground, with 52 sites, is 4 miles from the park entrance, near the Loxahatchee River. Both campgrounds have large, tiled restrooms with hot showers and are each set up with a washer and dryer.
All sites include water, electricity, table and grill; sewer hookup is included on all Pine Grove campsites as well.
A dump station is located at Pine Grove Campground, approximately 4 miles from the River Campground.
- Well-behaved pets are welcome in both campgrounds.
- Maximum RV length is 40 feet for Pine Grove Campground and 36 feet for the River Campground.
- The Kimbell Center offers fun, family programs every Saturday at 10 a.m. and in the evenings for campers (location varies).
- Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
This campground was voted No. 2 in the 2021 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers Choice travel awards for Best State Park for RVers.
Glamping
Go glamping at Jonathan Dickinson State Park by reserving one of our deluxe safari tents. They come standard with a Keurig coffee maker with K-Cups of our select coffee blend, mini-refrigerator, rugs, lamps, diffuser, electrical outlets to charge your devices and your own A/C & heating units.
Each tent either holds two queen beds or a king bed and two sets of bunk beds. Your glampsite will also include a fire pit, grill with cooking grate, string lights, 2 camp chairs and a picnic table.
A five-site campground is available for those wishing to camp with their horses. Horses must be tethered overnight to the tie-out posts provided or confined in sturdy portable pens. Portable electric fencing or hobbling is not permitted.
Eight miles of multiuse trails starting at the Eagles View area are available for horseback riding, hiking and off-road bicycling. Trail maps are available at the ranger station and the Kimbell Center.
- Reservations: To reserve an equestrian campsite, call the ranger station at 772-546-2771.
Two backpack camps are available on segments of the Florida Trail. Maps of the trail are available at the ranger station.
One camp is 5 miles out along the trail, and the other is 9 miles out. A pitcher pump is located near each camp. Water must be treated. Pets are not permitted on this trail and/or at these camps. Collection of firewood is not permitted in Florida State Parks; be sure to pack a stove for cooking.
- Overnight trips to these camps must begin by specified times of the day; reservations are not required but are suggested. Call the ranger station at 772-546-2771 for information and reservations.
Three group campsites accommodate 30 campers each. Youth groups (18 years or younger) can reserve a campsite. Youths must be chaperoned by at least one adult, 21 years of age or older, for each 10 youths. Pets are welcome and must be kept on a 6-foot leash.
Sites are equipped with tables, a fire circle and a composting toilet. There is no water in this area; the closest potable water is a mile away at the picnic area.
- Call the ranger station for reservations at 772-546-2771.
Fishing in the Loxahatchee River varies from freshwater fishing in the upper river to saltwater angling as you approach the picnic area and boat ramp. There can be some overlap of species. It is possible to catch snook and snapper far upriver near Trapper’s and largemouth bass as far down as the mouth of Kitching Creek.
Be sure you have the appropriate license (or licenses) for the area and species you are fishing. Freshwater fishing is also available in several of the ponds and lakes, mainly in the eastern and southeastern areas of the park.
- All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.
- A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website Fishing in Florida.
Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches.
Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land use ethics should be followed.
Jonathan Dickinson has an extensive trail system encompassed within the park's 16 natural communities. These trails are perfect for those who are new to hiking as well as visitors looking to trek a few miles.
Designated hiking trails in the park include the 1.5-mile Kitching Creek Nature Trail, 0.5-mile Wilson Creek Nature Trail, and 0.75-mile River Trail located in the main picnic and river area of the park. Also available are the 9.4-mile portion of the Florida Trail’s Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail, 5-mile white-blazed Florida Trail and 7.5-mile green-blazed Florida Trail in various locations of the park.
The accessible 2-mile paved multiuse trail runs adjacent to park drive from the park's main picnic and river area.
Located closer to the park entrance, the Hobe Mountain Trail is a short, beautiful boardwalk that climbs up through the scrub community to the observation tower, from which commanding views of the entire park and surrounding area may be had.
Other multiuse trails in the park include the 8.7-mile Ocean to Lake trail, which can be accessed through other trail systems, and the 8-mile Eagles View trail system located north of the park’s equestrian area.
- Maps and information are available on the publications page or at the Kimbell Education and visitor center.
Eight miles of multiuse trails start at the Eagles View area and are available for horseback riding, hiking and off-road bicycling. Maps and information are available on the park website or at the Kimbell Education and Visitor Center.
- A four-site campground is available for those wishing to camp with their horses.
- Horses must be tethered overnight to the tie-out posts provided or confined in sturdy portable pens. Portable electric fencing or hobbling is not permitted.
- Proof of negative Coggins is required.
The Camp Murphy Off-Road Bicycle Trail System is a 9-mile network of mountain bike trails with loops rated for beginners all the way to "black diamond, experts only." Each trail is marked by difficulty level and distance. Wearing an approved helmet is required while riding the trails.
Maps of the trail system are available at the ranger station and Kimbell Education and visitor center or online at Club Scrub. The Camp Murphy Off-Road Bicycle Trail System is specially designated for use by human-powered bikes only. Human powered with electric assist bikes are not allowed on these trails but can be used on the park's multiuse trails unless otherwise designated.
Please see the Bicycling section above for information about these trails, or visit the park's Kimbell Education and visitor center for maps and additional information.
The Camp Murphy Off-Road Bike Trail System is maintained and sponsored by Club Scrub and the Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park. View more information on Club Scrub and the Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park or about becoming a member.
Canoe, kayak and motorboat rentals are available daily from the concession. Boats can be rented starting at 9 a.m. with the last rental available at 3 p.m. All boats must be returned to the concession by 5 p.m.
A large picnic area is found on the shores of the Loxahatchee River, with dozens of picnic tables and grills. Four picnic pavilions are found here, three of which can be reserved for a fee.
- The Loxahatchee and Wilson Creek pavilions are $60 plus tax (10 tables - 60 people)
- Kitching Creek pavilion is $100 plus tax (20 tables - 150 people)
Call the ranger station at 772-546-2771 for reservations. One pavilion is for first-come, first-served, and the three others may be similarly used if they have not been reserved.
The concession store offers drinks, snacks, tour boat tickets and canoe rentals. Two nature trails start here, and a children's playground is centrally located.
A beautiful grassy swimming beach is available on the shores of the Loxahatchee River. No lifeguards are present, so please exercise caution. It is adjacent to the reservable Loxahatchee picnic pavilion and a modern restroom with outdoor shower.
- Call the park for current swimming conditions.
Guided horseback rides are available seasonally, starting at the Eagles View Equestrian Area and meandering along scenic backcountry routes. Trail rides take place seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guided horseback rides for adults and children 6 and over depart at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., each lasting approximately one hour. Hand-led 15-minute pony rides are available for children under 6.
For those who prefer to relax as they take in the scenery, what could be nicer than a trip along the back roads of the park in our big farm wagon, pulled by a team of two beautiful Percheron draft horses? The wagon will carry up to 14 folks for a 45-minute trail ride (check with concession for availability).
- For more information, contact the concession at 561-746-1466.
Many species of wildlife can be observed at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, including deer, raccoons, foxes, otters and bobcats.
Alligators are commonly seen, as are turtles along the river.
Threatened and endangered species include Florida scrub-jays, gopher tortoises, manatees and Eastern indigo snakes.
Amenities
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities to all its visitors. These amenities include:
- Environmental education and research center with visual materials and listening devices.
- Large-print Florida State park publications and other literature available upon request at the visitor center.
- Several electronic mobility devices are available.
- Paved 2-mile multiuse trail accessible from the visitor center to the Gator Culvert.
- Wheelchair-friendly ramp and small pier to the boat dock.
- Wheelchair-friendly sidewalk through a section of the picnic area near the Loxahatchee River.
- Picnic pavilions, picnic tables and grills.
- Accessible campsites and cabin.
- Accessible canoe and kayak launch.
- Auto tour – with visual or audio options.
- Accessible restrooms.
A concrete boat launch ramp is available on the Loxahatchee River. The Loxahatchee eventually leads to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Please observe the idle speed limit on the river within the park.
- The boat ramp fee is $4 plus tax. This is in addition to the park entry fee.
Jonathan Dickinson’s 11 cabins are located near the Loxahatchee River.
All cabins are furnished and supplied with bed and bath linens as well as dinnerware and utensils. They each have one bedroom with a queen or full-size bed, one full bathroom, living area with a sleeper sofa, dining and kitchen area with a microwave oven, full refrigerator and cooktop.
- Maximum occupancy is four to six people, depending upon the cabin.
- Cabins require a two-night minimum stay.
- All cabins have outside picnic tables as well as fire rings for outdoor cooking.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Ten of the park's 11 cabins are currently available for rent online. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. Visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
Two family campgrounds are located at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Pine Grove Campground, with 90 sites, is located near the ranger station on the east side of the park.
The River Campground, with 52 sites, is 4 miles from the park entrance, near the Loxahatchee River. Both campgrounds have large, tiled restrooms with hot showers and are each set up with a washer and dryer.
All sites include water, electricity, table and grill; sewer hookup is included on all Pine Grove campsites as well. A dump station is located at Pine Grove Campground, approximately 4 miles from the River Campground.
- Well-behaved pets are welcome in both campgrounds.
- Maximum RV length is 40 feet for Pine Grove Campground and 36 feet for the River Campground.
- The Kimbell Center offers fun, family programs every Saturday at 10 a.m. and in the evenings for campers (location varies).
- Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
This campground was voted No. 2 in the 2021 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel awards for Best State Park for RVers.
The concession offers canoes, kayaks (singles and tandem), stand up paddleboards, motor boats and single-speed cruiser bicycle rentals for your enjoyment inside the park.
Palmettos on the Loxahatchee is the concession's food and beverage garden located right next to the beautiful Loxahatchee River. Their food is made using local, sustainable or organic foods, and the concession also offer beer and wine. Call 561-746-1466 for more information.
Eight miles of multiuse trails start at the Eagles View area and are available for horseback riding, hiking and off-road bicycling. Maps and information are available on the park's website or at the Kimbell Education and Visitor Center.
- A four-site campground is available for those wishing to camp with their horses. Horses must be tethered overnight to the tie-out posts provided or confined in sturdy portable pens. Portable electric fencing or hobbling is not permitted. Proof of negative Coggins is required.
Designated hiking trails in the park include:
- 1.5-mile Kitching Creek Nature Trail.
- 0.5-mile Wilson Creek Nature Trail.
- 0.75-mile River Trail located in the main picnic and river area of the park.
- 9.4-mile portion of the Florida Trail’s Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail.
- 5-mile white-blazed Florida Trail.
- 7.5-mile green-blazed Florida Trail in various park locations.
A large picnic area is found on the shores of the Loxahatchee River, with dozens of picnic tables and grills. Four picnic pavilions are found here, three of which can be reserved for a fee.
- The Loxahatchee and Wilson Creek pavilions are $60 plus tax (10 tables - 60 people).
- Kitching Creek pavilion is $100 plus tax (20 tables - 150 people).
Call the ranger station at 772-546-2771 for reservations. One pavilion is for first-come, first-served, and the three others may be similarly used if they have not been reserved.
The concession store is located here, with drinks, snacks, tour boat tickets and canoe rentals. Two nature trails start here, and a children's playground is centrally located.
RVers and tent campers enjoy this park and campground.
- Maximum RV length is 40 feet for Pine Grove Campground and 36 feet for the River Campground.
- Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. Visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
This campground was voted No. 2 in the 2021 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel awards for Best State Park for RVers.
The Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center is a great place to begin a trip to the park. Visitors can learn about the park's natural and cultural resources through interactive and informational displays.
The park video, “A Balancing Act: Recreation and Preservation at Jonathan Dickinson State Park,” is shown all day upon request along with a selection of films about the Loxahatchee River and Florida’s history.
The classrooms and research laboratory provide children and adults with the opportunity to learn about the variety of natural communities in the park, including the Loxahatchee River.
- The Kimbell Center offers fun, family programs every Saturday at 10 a.m., and the center is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Programs are available for school groups, home schools, Scouts and other organizations. For more information about our programs, please call the Kimbell Center at 561-745-5551.
Staying hydrated on your outdoor adventures is important. Just bring a refillable water bottle to replenish your drinking water at the park. This will reduce the use of single-use plastics in landfills and reduce the litter sometimes found along trails, at campsites, on beaches and in Florida’s waterways.
- At Jonathan Dickinson State Park, you’ll find a refillable water bottle station at the Kimbell Center and other at the ranger station.
- Learn more.