Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area and Riverbend Park Guide

Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area is a 13,025-acre Palm Beach County natural area in northern Palm Beach Gardens, open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. Its main entrance is at 11855 Beeline Highway, with a paved accessible trail, an observation tower and a fishing pier. To the north, Riverbend Park in Jupiter adds nearly 10 miles of bike and hiking trails and kayak access to the Loxahatchee River.

Both are close to Avondale at Avenir, DiVosta's single-family community inside Avenir. This guide covers what each one offers, where to go in, and what to bring.

Observation tower at Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area in Palm Beach Gardens.png

Why these two matter to Avondale buyers

Avenir is a large master-planned community, and a big part of its land is set aside for conservation. The Avenir developer says its conservation land connects to a path of public lands that includes Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area and Grassy Waters Preserve. In plain words, a lot of the open land around you is meant to stay open.

That makes nature one of the real reasons people choose this part of Palm Beach Gardens over neighborhoods closer to the coast.

Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area

A ""slough"" (said ""slew"") is a slow, shallow channel of water through wetlands. Palm Beach County says the natural area protects nine native ecosystems.

The main entrance

The main entrance is at 11855 Beeline Highway in Palm Beach Gardens. According to the county, it has:

A large parking area and accessible restrooms.
An accessible covered observation platform.
An observation tower.
A fishing pier.
A paved hiking trail and natural-surface hiking trails.
A section of the Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail.

Karen T. Marcus Sandhill Crane Access Park

The county lists a second entrance at 8175 PGA Boulevard. It has an observation tower, restrooms and access to the Jeaga Wildways, a multiuse trail along the C-18 Canal. The county says the trail is paved south of PGA Boulevard and shell rock north of it, and it is open to biking, hiking and horseback riding.

The kayak and canoe launch

The county's kayak and canoe launch is at 8311 PGA Boulevard. From there, a 2-mile one-way paddling trail runs along the west side of the C-18 Canal. The county says paddlers may catch and release fish along the kayak trail.

What to know before you go

It is open sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.
The county notes that the land gets very wet in summer and fall, so wear shoes that can get muddy.
Bring water, sunscreen and bug spray.
Check the county's Loxahatchee Slough page before you go, since trail conditions change with the season.

Paved trail through pine woods at Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area.png

Riverbend Park

Riverbend Park is a 644.81-acre regional park run by Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation at 9060 Indiantown Road in Jupiter. It is open from sunrise to sunset.

Trails

The county lists nearly 10 miles of shell-rock trails for biking and hiking and nearly 7 miles of equestrian trails. ### On the water

Riverbend has about 5 miles of waterways with canoe and kayak access and freshwater fishing. It sits along the Loxahatchee River, which is a National Wild and Scenic River, a federal title given to rivers worth protecting in their natural state.

If you do not own a kayak or a bike, a private company, Jupiter Outdoor Center, rents them at the park. The county notes that the rental business is not run by the county, so check its hours and prices before you go.

History

Riverbend is also a history stop. The county lists the land as the site of two Second Seminole War battles in January 1838. The neighboring Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park, a separate 62.10-acre county park at the same address, marks them. Read more on the county's battlefield park page.

Check the county's Riverbend Park page for events and rules.

Which one should you visit first?

Go to Loxahatchee Slough for a short walk, birdwatching from the tower, or fishing from the pier. The paved trail at the main entrance is the easiest outing.

Go to Riverbend Park for a long bike ride, a kayak trip on the river, or a family day with a picnic.

A simple half-day plan

Here is an easy way to try both places on a cool morning.

Start at the Loxahatchee Slough main entrance on Beeline Highway soon after sunrise. Walk the paved trail and climb the observation tower.
Stop at the fishing pier if you brought a rod. Check the county's fishing rules before you cast.
Head north to Riverbend Park on Indiantown Road. Rent a kayak or a bike, or bring your own.
Finish with a picnic, then visit the battlefield park markers at the same address.

Mornings are best in summer, when afternoon storms are common.

Stay safe on the trails

Carry more water than you think you need, since there is little shade on some trails.
Watch the sky. Summer thunderstorms build fast in the afternoon. Head back if you hear thunder.
Stay on marked trails, and keep a safe distance from any wildlife you see.
Tell someone where you are going, and keep your phone charged.
Check the county pages for closures after heavy rain.

More outdoor time near Avenir

If you would rather play than hike, see our guide to pickleball in Palm Beach Gardens, which covers Avenir's clubhouse courts, and our Sandhill Crane Golf Club guide for the city's public golf course.

To get to each place, you will use Northlake Boulevard, Beeline Highway or PGA Boulevard. See getting around on Northlake Boulevard.

Kayaks on the Loxahatchee River at Riverbend Park in Jupiter.png

Living close to the outdoors

Being near large natural areas is part of life at Avondale. The home itself is built for Florida weather too, with impact-resistant windows and doors and a covered lanai for outdoor time at home. See what's included at Avondale, and for the home choices, all ten Avondale floor plans compared.

Call 561-704-0091 or Visit Avondale at Avenir Near Loxahatchee Slough — Schedule a Visit. Ask what incentives DiVosta is offering this month.

Common Questions

Where is the entrance to Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area?

The main entrance is at 11855 Beeline Highway in Palm Beach Gardens. Palm Beach County also lists an access park at 8175 PGA Boulevard and a kayak launch at 8311 PGA Boulevard.

What are the hours at Loxahatchee Slough?

Palm Beach County lists it as open from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. Trails can be very wet in summer and fall, so check conditions first.

Can you kayak at Loxahatchee Slough?

Yes. The county's kayak and canoe launch at 8311 PGA Boulevard leads to a 2-mile one-way paddling trail along the west side of the C-18 Canal.

Can you fish at Loxahatchee Slough?

Yes. The main entrance has a fishing pier, and the county says paddlers may catch and release fish along the kayak trail. Check the county page for current fishing rules before you go.

How big is Riverbend Park?

Palm Beach County lists Riverbend Park at 644.81 acres, with nearly 10 miles of bike and hiking trails, nearly 7 miles of equestrian trails and about 5 miles of waterways.

Can you rent kayaks at Riverbend Park?

Yes. Jupiter Outdoor Center rents kayaks and bikes at the park. The county notes that it is a private business, so check its hours and prices before you go.

Is there a fee to visit Loxahatchee Slough?

Palm Beach County's page for the natural area lists its entrances, hours and features. Check that page before your visit for any current rules, closures or fees, since they can change.

Can I ride a bike at Loxahatchee Slough?

The county lists the Jeaga Wildways trail along the C-18 Canal, reached from the access park at 8175 PGA Boulevard, as open to biking, hiking and horseback riding. Riverbend Park also has nearly 10 miles of bike trails.

Call 561-704-0091 or Visit Avondale at Avenir Near Loxahatchee Slough — Schedule a Visit.