LOXAHATCHEE
RIVER CANOEING & KAYAKING Canoe & Kayak Trips From River Bend Park In Jupiter, Florida
Pictures & Information Page 1 of 4
Welcome to Palm Beach Boating Guide's Loxahatchee River
Canoeing & Kayaking web site. Thank you for
visiting. This site provides the free online pictures,
information and tips you need to discover one of Florida's most
memorable places.
Canoeing
the magnificent Loxahatchee River in Jupiter, Florida.
A canoe trip down the Loxahatchee River is a "must see" for
anyone visiting Florida's West Palm Beach area. It's a special
place where centuries old cypress
trees grow. Their canopies tower above your head and
provide shade as you paddle. The Loxahatchee River area is a lush
natural
garden extraordinary tropical plants
and wildlife. The river is so beloved that it has a "wild
and scenic" designation. Great efforts are made to protect the
Loxahatchee and make it available for people to explore.
Enjoying the Loxahatchee River is simple. It can be an
easy as a short two hour canoe trip. The launching site is an
easy drive from anywhere in South or Central Florida. It's close
to both I-95 and Florida's Turnpike in Jupiter. This is a trip
you'll remember for years to come.
This web site will give you
all the information you need for your "wild and scenic"
adventure. Below you will find out how to select the right trip,
get touring tips from an experienced Loxahatchee River paddler and see
instructive photos that will help prepare you for this wonderful
experience.
TRIP
OPTIONS
There are several ways to see the Loxahatchee
River. Trips run from "short and relatively easy" to "long and
somewhat challenging." Here are your canoe and kayak tour options:
1. The
"Best Scenery" Round-trip (Recommended): Start at River
Bend Park (9060
West Indiantown Road Jupiter, Florida 33478), paddle about 75 minutes
downstream
to the second dam (Masten
Dam), then paddle upstream back to
River Bend
Park. Paddling upstream isn't that hard. A good rule of
thumb is to leave a hour and 15 minutes of upstream paddling for every
hour of downstream paddling.
This
trip takes you under a canopy of 500
year old cypress
trees. Many times you will see alligators on this part of the
river.
I recommend this
trip for first time visitors or
people without a lot of paddling
experience. It allows you to see the river's best parts. The trip down
river is easy because you're traveling with
the current. The current
usually runs 2-3 miles per hour.
The trip back upstream isn't bad, except in a couple of places where
the Loxahatchee River gets very narrow and the current runs faster than
usual.
Plan to bring your own canoe/kayak or rent them from River Bend
Park's
canoe concession operator (Canoe Outfitters).
2. The "Full River Adventure" One-Way
Trip: This 8 mile trip
takes you from River Bend Park
to
the swimming area at Jonathan
Dickinson State Park. You travel
under the cypress trees, over two short dams and can stop at Trapper
Nelson's camp. You will also see the mangrove estuary in Jonathan
Dickinson State Park. The
current is all downstream until you
reach Trapper Nelson's camp. After Trapper Nelson's the current
strength and direction depend on whether it is an incoming- or
outgoing-
tide. Leave 5-6 hours
for this somewhat challenging one-way paddle.
For
this trip you will need to bring your own canoe/kayak or rent one from
River Bend Park's canoe concession operator (Canoe Outfitters).
If necessary, Canoe Outfitters can arrange ground transportation to bring you
back
from Jonathan Dickinson Park to your car at River Bend Park. I do not recommend this
trip to visitors
or causal paddlers. The most memorable parts of the
Loxahatchee River are seen between River Bend Park and the second dam
(see the "Best
Scenery" trip outlined above). After the second dam the scenery
become less dramatic. However, there are several large fallen
trees that block the river. You are forced to get out and
pull
your canoe/kayak over these large and slippery logs. The
vegetation is overgrown (sometimes you have to fight your way through
it as you paddle.) I cracked two teeth when my paddle became
entangled in the
overgrowth and hit me in the face. It is possible to make the
trip in less than 5-6 hours. I made the trip in about three and a
half hours (paddling straight through and not stopping at Trapper
Nelson's).
This trip is best for
experienced paddlers who already have
developed an "intermediate" skill set.
3. Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Mangrove Estuary One-Way Trip (Recommended): This 2-4 hour
trip starts and ends at the State Park canoe launch.
Here you will see a very different part of the Loxahatchee River
as it runs through Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The water is a
mixture of upstream freshwater and downstream sea water. Here you
see mangrove trees ("walking
trees") lining the river sides. You will also see
ospreys, wading birds and bald eagles.
Plan to take a trip up the
Kitching Creek tributary where
you will see overhanging trees with
Spanish moss (and maybe an
alligator or manatee.) It's possible
to paddle upriver to Trapper Nelson's, but it will take a couple of
hours and the tidal current may not be going your way.
I recommend a trip up Kitching Creek trip for casual
paddlers. It's nice that you first paddle upstream, so the return
trip is easier. However, the scenery is not the "famous" cypress
tree lined part of the Loxahatchee River (as outlined in Trip #1 above.)
Plan to bring your own kayak/canoe or rent one at the
park. Click here
for
more information on canoe rentals at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Directions to Jonathan Dickinson State
Park: Exit I-95 or Florida's Turnpike at SR 706
(Indiantown Road). Take Indiantown Road east about 3 miles to US
1. Then take U.S. 1 north about 4 miles
to the
park
entrance. The entrance will be on your left (watch for it
carefully... it's easy to miss.) There is a small day use fee to
enter the park.
4. River's End: Jupiter Inlet Area One-Way
Trip (Recommended): The Loxahatchee River ends at the
Jupiter Inlet. Its brown waters are washed out to sea on each
outgoing tide.
To see this area, rent a kayak from the Jupiter Outdoor Center
or put in your own at Burt
Reynolds Park boat ramps. From there you can paddle around
the area's mangrove islands, visit the Loxahatchee
River Sandbar at low tide, see the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, fly on
the rope
swings or make a stop at the memorable Square
Grouper bar for a drink.
LOXAHATCHEE
RIVER TOURING TIPS
> Your experience will change
depending on water levels. Loxahatchee River water levels
vary greatly over short periods of time. A heavy rain storm can
raise the river level by a couple of feet.
When the river is high it's easy to avoid obstructions.
Many river "off shoots" are revealed and can trick you away from the
main channel. Current in the main channel isn't as strong because
the river is wider. The scenery is more "green" and looks more
like a marsh.
When the river level is low you'll hit more submerged
trees. The current will be stronger because water flow is limited
to the narrow main channel. The scenery is more "brown" and takes
on the appearance of a forest. Blockages and pull-overs can be
major factors when water levels are low.
Generally speaking water levels are higher during South
Florida's rainy season (May-October) and for a couple of days following
a major rainstorm. Water levels are lower during the dry season
(November-April) and when it has been several days since the last rain.
> Long canoes or kayaks are harder
to maneuver than short
ones. The Loxahatchee River has many tight S turns and
cypress
knees. There are submerged logs and low vegetation. The
current can get hold of a long boat and push it around. It's not
hard to use a long canoe on the Loxahatchee (most people do), but know
that it can be a little more challenging to maneuver than a short one
person kayak.
> You're going to bump into things.
It's nearly impossible to
avoid hitting cypress knees, underwater logs and low lying
vegetation. It's okay. None of these things will cause you
significant problems. If you contact lilly pads spiders and other
bugs will get on your boat.
If you are coming up on low lying vegetation, place your paddle
so it's parallel with your boat. If you paddle is placed
perpendicular it might get caught in the vegetation and hit you in the
face. (This happened to me on the Loxahatchee and I cracked two
teeth.) Vegetation is generally not a problem until after you
pass the second dam.
> Watch the river current for clues.
Sometimes it can be hard
to tell which way you should paddle. The Loxahatchee has many
shallow tributaries. For the most part the current always flows
in the main river channel. Look for the strongest water flow and
follow it.
> On your first trip, the time
spent traveling downstream seems may seem longer than it actually is.
This is because you don't know where you are going. It may seem
like a long time before you reach the second dam. However, when
you turn around you'll be surprised how quickly you make it back to the
first dam, then the launch site at River Bend Park.
> A word of caution: Know
your paddling capabilities and choose an appropriate trip.
Experienced Loxahatchee paddlers worry when they see a rental canoe
filled with people struggling to make it downstream (especially if they
are seniors.) Going downstream to the second dam is a bit of a
challenge. Coming back upstream or going the 8 mile distance to
Jonathan Dickinson park is a much greater challenge. There is no road or walking path
option that will get you back. There are no park rangers to
assist tired paddlers. The only way out is on the water, via your
own paddling power. HAVE A "PLAN B": If at
any point you feel that the trip is more than you bargained for,
STOP! Rest and turn back. A good place to determine
how you are feeling is at the first dam. You'll come upon the
first dam about 10-15 minutes after you launch from River Bend
Park. The cypress trees and vegetation near this dam are
spectacular, much like they will be on the way to the second
dam. There is no shame in stopping to enjoy the scenery around
the first dam and heading back to the launch at River Bend Park.
You will have a great feel for the river and won't put yourself at risk.
For those taking Trip #2 to Jonathan Dickinson Park: Do not go beyond the second dam unless you
are feeling confident and up for the several miles of challenging
paddling that are ahead. It only takes 45-75 minutes to
paddle back upstream from the second dam to the launch site at River
Bend Park. This is a much easier task than going all the way to
Jonathan Dickinson Park.
Remember, you're on the Loxahatchee to enjoy yourself and have a
good time. There's no need to strain or push yourself to the
point of concern.
> EMERGENCIES: Take a portable
phone with you. Write down these phone numbers (or print out this
page) in case you should need them. Seal both the phone
numbers and your portable phone in a watertight plastic bag.
Don't take
them our of the bag unless there is an emergency (everything in a canoe
or kayak seems to get wet!)
911
Jupiter Police, Palm Beach County or Martin County
Sheriff emergency response (561)
746-6201 Jupiter Police, non-emergency number (561)
688-3000 Palm Beach County Sheriff (772)
220-7000 Martin County Sheriff (772)
546-2771 Jonathan Dickinson Park (Park Rangers) (888)
272-1257 Canoe Outfitters (River Bend Park Canoe
Rentals) or (561) 746-7053
Landmarks are few along the Loxahatchee River. If there is
an emergency, tell the police the following:
1. That you are canoeing on the
Loxahatchee River.
2. That you left from River Bend Park
in Jupiter.
3. That you are located between two
known river landmarks. Say
that you have passed (the first dam, the second dam, I-95, Trapper
Nelson's) and have yet to reach (the second dam, I-95, Trapper
Nelson's, Jonathan Dickinson Park canoe launch.)
Of course this will only give rescuers a general idea of where
you
are, but it's about the best you can do on an unmarked "wild and scenic
river."
If you have a handheld GPS receiver, bring it with you.
This will allow you to provide police with a specific location.
Note that the Loxahatchee River runs between several police
jurisdictions. It starts out in Jupiter and Palm Beach
County. It
then winds into Martin County, then much later back into Jupiter.
> Buy a waterproof disposable
camera. Leave your good camera
at home. The area is beautiful and you'll want pictures.
However, you're always going to be near water and canoes are
tippy. I've heard many stories about people dropping their
cameras in the river or water ruining camera electronic circuits.
> Wildlife along the river is most active in November and April.
> CAUTION: ALLIGATORS: Alligators
are sometimes
seen swimming or sunning themselves along
the river banks. You should not feed them, taunt them or attempt
to get near
them. Generally speaking
alligators will leave you alone if you leave them alone.
Alligators have a natural fear of humans. However, you should use
caution when in the area. Keep your arms and legs inside your
boat and stay our of the water. Alligators are
unpredictable wild animals that can attack with incredible speed.
The reason you shouldn't feed alligators is that you don't want
them to associate people with food. Alligators lose their natural fear of humans
when we feed them. Alligators
that have been fed by humans may approach you in the hopes you
will feed them. This is scary
and something you don't want to happen in the tight confines and remote
location of the Loxahatchee River! Do not, under any circumstances, feed
alligators! Alligators that become too "friendly" with
humans will be destroyed. Feeding wild alligators in Florida is
illegal.
Alligators are most dangerous to humans when they are protecting
their
young or they feel threatened. Sick, injured or distressed
alligators may attack people without cause. Alligators are most
abundant and threatening in the spring (mating season). April and
November are months when alligators are very active. Alligators
also appear more abundant when river water levels are low (it forces
the alligators to congregate near the main channel instead of
tributaries.) Water levels are typically low in the spring (the
end of the dry season, which runs October-May.)
Fear of alligators shouldn't keep you from
visiting the Loxahatchee River. Hundreds of people paddle here
each week. Problems with alligators are rare, but they do
happen. Click
here for more information on dealing with alligators in
recreational area. Click
here for information on avoiding alligator attacks.
> CAUTION: DO NOT SWIM IN
THE LOXAHATCHEE RIVER: Alligators can rest on the river
bottom unseen by swimmers. Alligators are attracted by splashing
and the smell of prey in the water. They attack with lightning
speed (they can outrun a horse over short distances and leap 10 feet
into the air.) They easily maul and drown their victims.
Help is difficult to summons on the Loxahatchee River and fast
emergency medical transportation may be impossible from the area. A 10 year old boy was
killed by an 11 foot alligator while wading near Trapper Nelson's.
Scouting organizations no longer allow their members to swim in the
Loxahatchee River. Click
here for more on this fatal Loxahatchee River alligator attack.
There are no warning signs posted. Don't let the lack of
an official advisory comfort you. The Loxahatchee is a "wild and
scenic river." It's no place to be swimming with wild alligators.
Down the river, Jonathan Dickinson State Park has an officially
designated swimming beach (near its canoe dock.) The park deems
it safe to swim in this location.
> The river is narrow. If your boat capsizes you will have no problem swimming or wading to shore
and
getting back in. Water depths
near shore are shallow and it should be easy to stand up. Water
depths in the main channel can be a lot deeper, but I doubt many places
are deeper than 10 feet.
> Children should wear life jackets.
Adults should strongly consider them.
> Sunglasses and sunscreen
can be nice to have, but may not be necessary. Most of the route
is tree covered until you get to Trapper Nelson's.
> Bug spray is a good idea
during the wet season (May-October.)
> Take drinks and a snack (or
lunch). Stop to rest and eat at
one of the dams. The dams are great places to take in the scenery.
> A waterproof dry bag is
very useful on the Loxahatchee River. It will keep your personal
items dry in a kayak or canoe.
> If you are traveling from River Bend Park to Jonathan Dickinson
Park (Trip #2 above), wear long
sleeves to avoid scratches and skin irritation from contact
plants. Sunglasses or industrial eye
protection will keep you eyes safe from low-lying sticks and
branches.
> Boat with motors are not
permitted between the launch site at River Bend Park and Trapper
Nelson's.
> NEARBY RESTAURANTS:
You can get a good meal near River Bend Park. Simply head east on
Indiantown Road out of River Bend Park. Go under Florida's
Turnpike and I-95. In about a mile you'll see Duffy's Sports
Grill (sandwiches, hamburgers, beer) on the left at 6971 Indiantown
Road. A little further down on the right (just past Central
Blvd.) is R.J.
Gators at 6390 Indiantown Road. I recommend Gators for its
local texture. Gators also serves sandwiches, hamburgers and
beer. In
this area you will also find McDonalds and Domino's Pizza.
> NEARBY STORES AND SERVICES:
You can
find many stores near River Bend Park. Simply head east on
Indiantown Road out of River
Bend Park. Go under Florida's Turnpike and I-95. Shortly you will come upon
gas stations, WalMart, Pep Boys, Blockbuster Video and two supermarkets
(Winn Dixie and local favorite Publix.)
Now that we've covered some of the information you'll need, it's
time to begin our virtual tour.
Note:
This page contains several high resolution, large size
photographs. These pictures were taken to be instructive and give
you the best possible feel for canoe and kayak trips on the Loxahatchee
River. As such this these
pictures may take extra time to download, especially with a dial-up
internet connection.
We start our virtual tour with several pictures related to
finding the
Loxahatchee River launch site (because it can be difficult to
find.) Your adventure
begins at
River
Bend Park, 9060 West Indiantown Road in Jupiter, Florida. Click
here for an online map. Watch out... this place is easy to
miss!
Directions to River Bend Park: Take I-95 or Florida's
Turnpike to Indiantown Road (State Route
706) in Jupiter. Head west one and a quarter miles. Look
for the brown
"Canoe Outfitters" sign on your left (in the median of Indiantown
Road.) This is
all the notice you will have! River Bend Park is not
marked. If you get to the houses and stores of Jupiter Farms,
you've gone too far west on Indiantown Road.
Some visitors are surprised to find a natural environment like
the Loxahatchee River in the middle of a developed area like Jupiter.
This is the unmarked entrance to River Bend Park as seen from
Indiantown Road. Turn in here and take the driveway to the back
parking lot.
NOTE: River Bend Park's posted "hours of operation" are
not accurate. Palm Beach County Park Department has a sign that
says the park is open sunrise to sunset daily. In reality, the
canoe concession operator controls the park. He has a key to the
gates and locks them when his business closes. He locks the gates at 5pm or earlier,
regardless of the posted hours or the number of vehicles remaining in
the parking lot. If you are locked in you will have to
call the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office. It will take a
deputy about an hour to unlock the gate. I checked into
this. The county says its happy giving control of the park to the
concession operator. Don't look for this confusing situation to
improve any time soon. TIP: If you want to insure
that you won't be locked in, park in one of the few paved spaces
available outside the park's gate. This will add another hundred
yards on your walk to the river. However, the peace of mind will
be worth it.
Picture of the unpaved parking lot at River Bend Park.
Park here and
hide all of the valuables inside your car.
If you brought your own kayak or canoe, it's best to have a set
of wheels. The canoe concession has blocked off roadway access to
the launch site for its canoes and vehicles only. Paddlers with
private boats have to haul them by hand over several hundred feet.
This single wide trailer is the office for Canoe Outfitters. You can rent
canoes and purchase supplies here. Click here for more rental information and
rates.
Renters will pay inside this building, then walk to the launch
site to get their canoe and life jacket. There are no carts
offered to help you move your gear from the parking lot to the launch
site (so hand carry your stuff when you leave your car.)
The concession operator wants paddlers
who bring their own boats to
check in with him (so he can tell you what time he's going to lock up
the park.)
River Bend Park park has no public water or sewer service.
These are the only
restroom facilities in the area. You'll find them on the path
leading
from the parking lot to the launch site.
You'll be on the river for some time. It's not a bad idea
to use the facilities before you launch.
The next restroom facilities are 90 minutes down river at the
Second Dam (Masten Dam.)
In addition to the canoe launch site, River Bend Park offers a walking
path through hammocks and cypress trees.
The path between the parking lot and the launch area ends
here. Note the rustic green tin building on stilts. It's
near the river bank.
You're now arriving at the Loxahatchee River. Click here to continue
your adventure. Next see pictures of the launch area and plant
life along the river.
******
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT OWNING A HOME-BASED
BUSINESS? Looking for extra
money or considering a career change? I can provide you with useful "how-to"
information for starting your own home based cosmetics business.
The opportunity gives you a flexible schedule, training and
personal support. It also provides excellent income
potential and an opportunity for a company car.
I'll answer your questions in a friendly and no-pressure manner. Click
here for information.
LOOKING FOR COSMETICS ONLINE? If so,
the link below offers the nation's #1 brand with free shipping nationwide.
NOTICES:
This web
site and all of its contents are copyrighted. This content may
not be
modified, copied, used, displayed, electronically stored or distributed
in any way with out permission of the author. The author may
discuss
arrangements allowing use of the material, but there must be a written
agreement in
place prior to any outside use. To use this material, please
contact
the author by clicking
here.
Linking to this site is encouraged. You may provide links from
your site without prior permission. Permission is NOT granted for
direct linking
of images only (a practice known as hot linking). Information
on this web site is provided on an as-is basis with no warranty
regarding accuracy or
suitability for a specific purpose. This is a non-commercial
personal web site.
