Discovering Beautiful Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a historic site in Martin County, Florida. It is the largest park in Southeast Florida. The 10,500-acre park is named for a Quaker merchant whose vessel was shipwrecked in 1696. The park features a variety of natural habitats. Flatwoods, Sand Pine Scrub, Mangroves, and River Swamps. The ecosystem also hosts a varied and diverse plant community. This park has nearly something for every outdoor taste. There are hiking trails, paddling, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, boat tours, environmental education programs, campgrounds with 135 campsites, and more.

You can see the remains of the prescribed burns that help maintain and renew the park. The burns are a tool to reduce the chance of serious out-of-control burns. It also stimulates the germination of new plants and trees that renew the park.

Hobe Mountain

Yes, you heard that right, a mountain in Florida. We navigated a boardwalk to the summit of Hobe Mountain, an ancient dune. A boardwalk leads you past the sand pine scrub up the 86-foot mountain to the observation tower. Hobe Mountain is the highest natural hill south of Lake Okeechobee. 

The Hobe Mountain Observation Tower offers beautiful views of the entire park, the Intercoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean.

“Wildman of the Loxahatchee”

Jonathan Dickinson State Park has a tour boat called the Loxahatchee Queen that took us three miles down the river for a trip back in time to Trapper Nelson’s Interpretive Site. The tour is a 2-hour guided tour aboard a pontoon boat. The cruise offered views of tropical vegetation and wildlife as we glided through the water with a cool breeze in our faces under a canopy of centuries-old cypresses and mangroves.

Trapper Nelson relished the quiet life in the 1930s and lived off the land. He was known as the “Wildman of the Loxahatchee River. He developed a business called Trapper’s Zoo and Jungle Garden. Nelson would wrestle alligators, trap wildcats, and dazzle guests such as Gary Cooper and West Palm Beach Socialites with his infallible good looks and stories of the wild.

After he died in 1968, the state acquired his land and preserved his home and grounds for others to admire the views he lived with and appreciate a life of natural solitude. Nelson died of a gunshot wound in his cabin.

Bike Trails

The park offers the opportunity to ride bikes on paved and off-road biking trails. Brenda and I went for the paved option and rented bikes at the River Store. There is a range of distances from 2-8 miles. The smooth, paved bicycle trail is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to see the park’s natural beauty.

If more rigorous and demanding cycling is what you desire, you will treasure Jonathan Dickenson for its well-maintained Camp Murphy Off-Road Bicycle Trail System, which is a nine-mile network of mountain bike trails. It contains loops for beginners up to “black diamond, experts only” trails. Jonathan Dickinson’s bike trails are a thrill that keeps riders returning to ride down their hills, curves and jumps. “Club Scrub” does a good job of maintaining the trails. Check out their Facebook page for future events.

The Loxahatchee River

The Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first federally designated “Wild and Scenic River,” winds through the park under a canopy of cypress trees. Wind your way under centuries-old cypress trees and alongside mangroves.

I would have to give the Loxahatchee River top billing at the park. It is a great place to kayak, canoe, or fish. Rentals are available from the Jonathan Dickinson State Park concession store near the River Campground.

Pitch a Tent

There’s far too much to enjoy at Jonathan Dickinson State Park for a day trip. Rent a camping spot and make a weekend of it.

There are 2 campgrounds at JD State Park. The River Campground is more rustic and runs along the Loxahatchee River. These sites are smaller but include water and electricity. The Pine Grove is newer and offers full hookups.  This campground is closest to the ranger station and is more desirable for larger units. Both campgrounds have bathroom amenities and laundry facilities.

Cabins are available for rent if you prefer a roof over your head. Twelve cabins are available in the park at reasonable prices — With full kitchens, these cabins can make an economical getaway for a couple or small family. I am not sure that cabins are how I would describe these accommodations. They look more like modular homes. They do look more comfortable than sleeping in a tent. In Florida’s hot summer months, you would appreciate the air conditioning.

Horseback Riding

Jonathan Dickinson State Park offers tours on horseback. These tours take visitors through beautiful pine and cypress forests. Keep your eyes peeled, as you will likely see some of the park’s native wildlife, such as white-tailed deer and bald eagles. The trail rides are 1 hour in length and are a wonderful way to see the park.

Wildlife & Wild Flowers

The park is teeming with wildlife from 13 natural communities including sand pine scrub, pine flat woods, mangroves, and river swamps.

Wildlife can be seen including deer, raccoon, bobcats, foxes, opossums, alligators, otters, gopher tortoises, and over 150 species of birds.

We spotted a giant egret, an alligator, and a few snakes. The best time to see wildlife at Jonathan Dickinson State Park is early morning. 

In addition to the animals, many wildflowers flourish throughout the area. The park’s diverse environments host a variety of wildflowers, making each trip different from the last.

Take a Hike

It’s hard to visit a Florida State Park and not do any hiking. Jonathan Dickinson has extensive trails for all levels to enjoy.

There are medium-length hikes like the Kitching Creek Loop trail. The trailhead is off the main parking lot by the river concession area. You can make it a short hike via the Wilson Creek trail, a larger loop with a beautiful overlook of Kitching Creek, or, if you go beyond the overlook, a 7.5-mile hike through scenic forests and meadows. Hiking this trail provided some amazing scenery.

This leisurely 1-hour walk to Kitching Creek provides a view of Florida’s Major Plant Community in the Pine Flatwoods.

I headed out on the nature trail and had the trail to myself except for one couple I met at the start of my hike. The trail took me down to the Loxahatchee River through the Pine Flatwoods. A gopher tortoise saw me coming and quickly ducked inside his shell. I patiently waited until he peeked his head out and took his picture. The gopher tortoise digs burrows that at least 360 other animal species use for shelter. In Florida, the gopher tortoise is listed as Threatened. Both the tortoise and its burrow are protected under state law.

Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education & Research Center

The nature and history of Jonathan Dickinson State Park come to life through exhibits and displays at the Elsa Kimbell Education & Research Center. Learn more about the park’s importance and the ecosystems it preserves through exhibits, art, photography, activity tables, and displays. Learn more about the animals and plants that call the park home.

Know Before You Go

• The park is open from 8 a.m. to sundown 365 days a year and is just $6 per car to visit.
• Additional fees may apply for camping and other activities.