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Loxahatchee River

Loxahatchee River

Loxahatchee River
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles17 reviews
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Kim L
Fort Lauderdale, FL171 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2012 • Friends
I kayak this river at least 4 times a year. You can bring your own kayak or canoe and there is a free put in site and parking just past the outfitter at Riverbend Park. Otherwise, you can rent from the outfitter, but you should call ahead and make reservations, as they sometimes sell out and they are not open every day. The river level fluctuates based on rainfall, so you should call and check to see if it is deep enough to go the entire distance and how much portaging might be involved. Also, trees fall and there can be obstructions (places that you need to squeeze under or climb over while lifting the vessel up and over a tree while the river is moving.) Know your limits! You have options. You can paddle to the 2nd dam or to Trapper Nelson's and turn around and go back upstream. Paddling upstream is not that difficult. Or you can paddle to Jonathan Dickensen State Park. On certain days of the week, the outfitter will meet you there at designated times and transport you back. Otherwise, you will need to have 2 vehicles and leave one at the take out site for your return. JDSP will charge you admission to do this. The obstructions in the river are not usually present until after the 2nd dam. At the second dam, there is a nice outhouse in the woods down the path. People swim here in the water hole. If the water is high enough, you can swim over the dam. At Trapper Nelson's, there are picnic tables and bathrooms. Guided tours are provided of this homestead. The river widens up, becomes less scenic for the remainder of the trip to JDSP. Paddling to JDSP is a full day trip, so be prepared. Have sunscreen, water, food, and bugspray. You must be in good shape to complete it. This river is beautiful and the trip is challenging.
Written 20 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WarmnToasty
Orlando, fL2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is a can't-miss excursion for nature enthusiasts in the Palm Beach county area. The 5 hour canoe trip takes you through the most scenic parts of undeveloped Jupiter, FL and ends at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The canoe run is managed by Canoe Outfitters of Florida, a company that has been in business since I can remember, and that's been 20 years. One hour rentals are available but the entire trip is highly recommended. You'll park your car in West Jupiter where Indiantown Road meets the Loxahatchee River. You pay for and take the canoe, paddling lightly down the lazy river. You'll spend the first half of the trip under the canopy of Cypress trees and maneuvering over two tiny, fun waterfalls. You'll stop at "Trapper Nelson's" camp and hear a lecture about who he was while you eat your lunch. You'll continue down the river and end up at sunny Jonathan Dickinson State Park where the Canoe Outfitters will pick you up. By this time, you'll be ready for a nap!

PS watch out for alligators!
Written 28 July 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terri Z
Fort Lauderdale, FL4 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2012 • Friends
After paddling downstream on the Loxahatchee River from River Bend Park, you go under the Indiantown Road bridge and enter the Cypress Canopy with lots of wildlife along the way. There is a small damn that you can paddle over or use the ramp to carry your kayak around it. Most people turn around at the second larger damn and paddle back. The river has lots of sharp turns and one needs to be on a constant lookout for submersed logs and other hazards.
Written 5 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fthikerFl
FL89 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2012 • Friends
FIrst of all this is a Beautiful River, highly scenic and interesting. Secondly, know what your limits are and come prepared with water, food, maps, sunscreen, etc.

If you use the Outfitter, listen to them and turn around when you are supposed to. They have shorter round trips (downstream and upstream against the current) and a longer trip from Riverbend Park to Jonathan Dickenson state park. The Outfitter only offers that longer trip on certain days of the week.

All that being said, a group of seven of us put in at the free launch site at Picnic Island in Riverbend County Park last weekend. We had been told that this was a piece of cake and easier than the sometimes difficult Juniper River near Ocala. No one ended up agreeing with that assessment.

The first 2.5 miles through the 2 dams to the overpass of I-95 are beautiful, shady and well maintained. The next 1.5 miles to Trapper Nelsons was a bit more of a struggle. It took us twice as long to kayak that 1.5 miles than it took us to complete the first 2.5 miles. There were numerous portages, climb overs, and scoot unders, although the outfitter said maybe we would come across 2 when we had asked them. The information boards say it will take 3 hours to get to Trapper Nelsons and it took us 4. Granted it will take longer for a group of 7 to get through the obstructions than for a single 20 year old kayaker.

There is fresh water and bathrooms at Trapper Nelsons and we were happy to come across the water and resupplied. We had a nice rest there and enjoyed our visit to the former homestead. We left Trappers and paddled on a wide open river with no obstructions and made the last 4.5 miles in 1.5 hours. Total trip time from Riverbend Park to the dock at the campground at Jonathan Dickenson was 6.5 hours with about an hour of that at Trapper Nelsons.

We did come across a group of people that included a number of children who failed to turn around when they should have and after later trying to turn around, were physically unable to return upstream. This became a dangerous situation when they had no food, or water. Be Prepared.
Written 6 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

George L
Margate, FL67 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I'd heard a lot of positive feedback about the river, and finally made the trip up to Jupiter. It was totally worth it. We put in at Riverbend park which is a quiet, clean place to picnic, jog, bike, or kayak.
The trip down the river was cut short because of rain, but what we experienced was amazing. There was a high water level due to the rain which made going over the dam really fun. We'll definitely be going back to make the trip to Jonathan Dickinson.
Written 12 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Motorxdon
16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2014
The Loxahatchee River is a scenic river unspoiled by humans. Travel up or down from Jupiter Fl. To Jonathan Dickinson state Park or from Jonathan Dickinson to Jupiter, it's an unspoiled natural river. Canoe through Florida in its natural state. Stop at Trapper Nelson's homestead. The wild life and scenery is spectacular.
Written 11 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elsi2600
Key West, FL31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2014 • Couples
This is the best river to kayak in south Florida. Very scenic. There are two trails you can paddle, the scenic one, where you will see alligators (sometimes swimming in the water), turtles, birds, wild turkeys etc. Also there are three damps in the other trail.
Tip: If you want to come back to the park paddle only to the second dam, once you pass the 3rd one,, you wont be able to come back. Canoe outfitters offers a tours were you can paddle to Jonathan Dickinson State Park passing all dams, they will provide transportation for you back to the rental place. Also there are a few hiking trails along the river. I have paddled there twice and im thinking on going back again. Great experience, very relaxing. The indian village is the best part of the park, Very quiet and private.

Ps. The alligators are more scared of you than you of them. If you encounter any dont pay attention, just keep paddling, he will hide and leave. Do not feed them, or try yo touch them, they can get aggressive.
Written 17 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

M T
Bay Shore, NY1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2011
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Lion Country Safari with some friends in Loxahatchee, FL, which is about a 40 minute drive from West Palm Beach. This safari offers both a drive-through and a walk-through tour for an extremely reasonable price. This trip was both visually stunning and educational, although I wish it were a bit cooler when I went. (There is also a water/theme park, but I didn’t get a chance to utilize it).

I took some photos and posted them on my site, if anyone is interested in seeing them: http://mthoffman.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/lion-country-safari/ (Also the rest of my review is there as well!)

If you’re in Florida and looking for a lovely daycation at a reasonable price I would highly recommend coming here. On their website there are pricing options / coupons when purchasing tickets.
Written 23 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jim L
Manassas, VA2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Family
Grab your swimsuit, pack a "water proofed" lunch complete with plenty of cold beverages, and paddle your way back in time through some of Florida's most beautiful scenary. Call ahead and reserve canoes or kayaks as needed...Jeb will fix you up at Canoe Outfitters' registration lodge located at Riverbend Park.

Whether you're an experienced local or an out-of-towner looking to cool off, this winding window of nature has something for everyone. Last Sunday, an impromtu fiesta of sorts broke out at the dam where folks had set up a rope swing above the tree canopied pool. Couldn't resist the urge and flug myself into the water while Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" blasted in the background. Great fun!

Once past the dam, things get quieter and you'll find yourself reflecting on nature's beauty. Unfortunately, the water level is low right now at various stretches of the river due to lack of rain. Be prepared for a moderate workout as you navigate logs and low spots.

Be sure to research the legend of "Trapper Nelson" beforehand. Known by some as Florida's real life Tarzan, Nelson lived nearby in the 1940's and 1950's. Can you imagine his adventures? Wow!
Written 21 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

callanduty
Loxahatchee, FL7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Solo
I live not far from the Loxahatchee River and go down it once every week. It truly is amazing and it feels like you're in the Amazon. Want to get peace and quiet and enjoying nature this is the place to go.
Written 3 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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LOXAHATCHEE RIVER (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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