We’re lucky to live within distance of a few state parks in Florida and the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is one of them! This Florida state park is located in North Palm Beach and is a great place to spend the day with family or friends.
About John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
This state park is named after the previous owner who wanted to preserve it after finding out more about the biological nature. It is comprised of 325-acres. There’s a nature center to learn more about the surrounding wildlife, a boardwalk over a cove and of course, a beautiful 2-mile beach to relax on.
There’s an abundance of marine life near the shore and within the estuary. It’s also a nesting site for sea turtles between May-August.
Things to do
Walk the boardwalk
The boardwalk at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is actually fairly long at 1/3 mile. There are several stands along the way that tell you what animals inhabit the area that you might see. There’s also a free tram ride from 10am-4pm each day if you need it. The boardwalk will take you across to the beach area.
Hit the beach
The beach here is about 2 miles long with plenty of space to sprawl out and enjoy. The water was insanely calm when we went and a great place for kids to swim.
Take a nature walk
There are a few boardwalks to explore and dirt trails you can take that lead you through tropical foliage. We did see a few signs about ‘crocodilians’ (I’ve never seen that word used before). Apparently there are ‘crocodilians’ about and they warn you to be wary of them along the trails! We did not see any.
Kayak through Lake Worth Cove
Another popular thing to do here is to kayak in the cove. The water is really calm here and there are plenty of mangrove trees to paddle around. You can rent kayaks from the gift shop and there’s a little kayak launch spot near the parking lot.
Things to know
- Entrance to the park is $5 per vehicle
- The park opens at 8:00am every day and closes at sunset.
- The tram across the boardwalk runs daily but only if the weather permits.
- Pets are only allowed in designated areas (usually trails but not the beach) and need to be on a leash.
Overall, it’s a great place to explore for the day or afternoon. The boardwalk was neat to walk along and the beach was really pretty here. It’s a nice place to enjoy!
Check out some other great Florida State Parks here!
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