LOXAHATCHEE
RIVER CANOEING & KAYAKING Canoe & Kayak Trips From River Bend Park In Jupiter, Florida
Pictures & Information Page 4 of 4
Welcome to Palm Beach Kayaking & Canoeing Guide's Loxahatchee River
Canoeing & Kayaking web site. Thank you for visiting.
This is one of several pages that provide a "virtual tour" of
the
Loxahatchee River. Click here if you
would like to start viewing the virtual tour from page 1.
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.
You'll see several fallen trees. You'll be able to pass under or
around most. Worst case scenario is that you will have to get out
of your kayak and pull it over a downed tree. TIP: Wear sandals or
"swim shoes" so your feet will have protection if you have to get out
of your boat.
Photo of the Loxahatchee's
Second Dam (the "Masten Dam".) It's a popular place to stop. Note the kayaks stored onshore (right side
of photo.) This is an excellent,
out-of-the-way place to leave your boat.
It has now been about 45-60 minutes since leaving the First Dam.
You've been though a series of tight S turns with strong current.
You've seen unforgettable stands of centuries old cypress trees.
You've paddled around and under trees. You've meandered through
wide and slow portions of the river. Now you notice the
Loxahatchee has again slowed considerably. The ground vegetation
is shorter and more plentiful. You are approaching the Second Dam
(also called the Masten Dam.)
The second dam is a popular place to stop, rest, grab a drink
and snack/lunch. Pull you boat up the ramp. Place is
someplace out of the way or others can use the pull-through. It's
fun to sit near the dam and listen to the
rapids. As with the first dam, it is possible to canoe over these
falls when the river level is high. However, this dam is somewhat
taller and steeper than the first. It's easy to sink the nose
(bow) of your long canoe as it passes over the dam. I wouldn't
recommend going over the dam unless you see other people with similar
boats passing successfully.
There are restroom facilities near the dam. Look for a
small building. It's down the footpath that leads away from the
dock. The trail away from the dam takes you
to land that
was formerly used as a pasture. It's now part of Jonathan
Dickinson State Park.
Here you see people using the second dam. On the left-hand side
of the photo you see the rest area (small wooden deck) where people
gather. Canoes are stored on the shore or in the dirt field to
the side of the rest area.
Up the river you see canoers getting ready to pass over the dam
and shoot the rapids that follow.
On the right is the pull-through ramp and walkway with
cross-members for foot traction.
In the photo's center, a little boy is standing on the dam
itself.
The falls are seen on the right. This picture was taken at
a time of high water levels on the Loxahatchee. Boats were
successfully making it down the falls on this day.
THIS IS THE TURNAROUND POINT
FOR TOUR TRIP #1 (The "Best Scenery" Round Trip). When you
are done with your stop at the second dam, it's time to head back
upstream.
IF YOU ARE CONTINUING ON TO
THE JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK BOAT RAMP (TRIP #2):
This is a good time to evaluate if you're up for another 2-4 hours of
paddling. If not, you should feel fine about turning
around. It will take you only 60-90 minutes to return to the
River Bend Park Launch.
From the Second Dam you will spend 90-120 minutes paddling to
get to Trapper Nelson's camp. You will pass under the large
concrete bridges of Florida's Turnpike and I-95. You will haul
your boat over several large logs that block the river. This part
of the Loxahatchee isn't nearly as well traveled. Vegetation
overgrowth is abundant and it can be difficult ot understand where the
river channel is. The leg between the second dam and Trapper
Nelson's camp is the most difficult and least fun.
Plan to stop and check out Trapper Nelson's interesting
camp. Nelson lived on the site from the 1930s until his death in
1968. He trapped and sold furs while living off the
land. He became known as the "Wildman of the Loxahatchee"
and started a wildlife zoo at his camp. The State Of Florida
bought his camp and surrounding lands. They are now part of
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Click
here to learn more about Trapper Nelson.
After a visit to Trapper Nelson's it's time to continue our adventure
down the Loxahatchee. The river changes
dramatically at Trapper Nelson's. It becomes wider and
begins to mix with salt water from the Jupiter Inlet. The
abundant cypress trees begin to die off because of the saltwater
incursion. Mangroves ("walking trees") become increasingly
abundant. Motorboats are allowed on this portion of the river.
From Trapper Nelson's plan to spend 90-120 minutes paddling to
the public boat ramp at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
This picture shows a map (posted on a state park sign) of the remaining
journey (from Trapper Nelson's to the public boat ramp at Jonathan
Dickinson State Park.) You will pass Otter Habitats, Cypress
Habitats and Mangrove Habitats.
This picture show canoes amongst the mangrove islands.
Note the dead cypress trees. They provide good nesting places for
large birds. Here you
see mangrove trees ("walking
trees") lining the river sides. You will also see
ospreys, wading birds and bald eagles.
Tides,
winds and motorboats can make these last three miles
difficult. The scenery looks remarkably similar from mile
to mile, so it can get a little boring.
Picture of Kitching Creek tributary.
Note the Spanish Moss growing on the trees.
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.)
You know your journey is coming to an end when you see the Park's
swimming beach and day use picnic area (pictured above.) The boat
ramp is only minutes away.
Note: Don't try to use the Park's rental canoe dock to get
off the river. It's only for canoes rented at the park.
Continue on to the public boat ramp that's another few minutes
downstream of the rental dock.
The boat dock is where River Bend Park's canoe concession
operator (Canoe
Outfitters) will meet you with trailers and a bus. They will
take you back to your car. This return transportation must be
arranged in advance.
If someone is going to pick you up, they'll need
directions: 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.
Note that River Bend Park and the boat ramp at Jonathan
Dickinson Park are only 5 miles apart "as the crow flies."
However, there are no direct road between the two parks. It takes
about 35 minutes to drive from one park to the to the other.
If you haven't already seen them, check out Sonya Wiloughby's Loxahatchee River Photographs. They will give you an
excellent feel for the tropical plant life you'll see along the
Loxahatchee River.
Next
you may wish to try Trip #4, The
River's End-Jupiter Inlet Area Tour. 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.
Take a look at Palm Beach
Boating Guide for more information about fun on the local
waterways. Palm Beach
Trail Guide has good information on biking, hiking and running in
our area (including mountain biking
at Jonathan Dickinson State
Park.) If you're headed for Orlando, click here for some
insider tips on visiting the theme parks.
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