Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a state park in Hobe Sound, Florida, covering more than 11,500 acres of pine forests, wetlands, and riverbanks along the Loxahatchee River. The landscape shifts between dry sandy areas with tall pines and dense sections where palms and swamp vegetation grow.

The park carries the name of a Quaker merchant who was shipwrecked near this coast in the 17th century. Decades later, the military used parts of the grounds as a training site during World War II.

The Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education Center displays exhibits about the plants and animals living in the surrounding area. Visitors can learn here how the natural life along the river works and why this landscape is protected.

The concession building rents canoes, kayaks, motor boats, and bicycles for exploring the waterways and trails. Conditions on the trails can vary depending on the season and rainfall, so sturdy footwear is advisable.

The preserved homestead of Trapper Nelson from the 1930s still stands in the park and shows how a lone trapper lived here by the river. In remote corners, remnants of wartime military installations can also be found.

Location: Florida

Inception: 1950

Website: https://floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/jonathan-dickinson-state-park

GPS coordinates: 27.00610,-80.12890

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30