Jonathan Dickinson State Park: Wild Florida Along the Loxahatchee

Tucked into the coast of Martin County is a sweep of true wilderness that surprises first-time visitors. Jonathan Dickinson State Park protects more than 10,000 acres of pine flatwoods, sand pine scrub, and the cypress-lined banks of the Loxahatchee, one of only two federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in Florida.

A River Runs Through It

The dark, mirror-smooth Loxahatchee is the heart of the park. Paddlers glide beneath arching cypress and palms, watching for turtles, herons, and the occasional manatee that wanders up from the inlet. A guided boat tour runs upriver to the old homestead of Trapper Nelson, a legendary woodsman who once lived off the land here.

Climb Hobe Mountain

Despite Florida’s reputation for flatness, the park is home to Hobe Mountain, an ancient sand dune topped by an observation tower. The short climb rewards you with a panoramic view over the scrub to the Atlantic, a rare high vantage point in this part of the state and a favorite at sunrise.

Room to Roam

Miles of trails invite hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders into the backcountry, while campers can settle in for the night under the stars. The park’s pine scrub shelters gopher tortoises, scrub-jays, and a wealth of other wildlife that has all but vanished elsewhere.

Bring water, a paddle or a good pair of boots, and a sense of adventure. Jonathan Dickinson is a reminder that within an easy drive of the Treasure Coast’s beaches, a wilder, older Florida is still very much alive.

Official page: Jonathan Dickinson State Park