Cabins
Twelve rental cabins are available, near the Loxahatchee.
There are three different styles of cabins, and
all come complete except for bed and bath linens.
Call the concession at 561-746-1466 for information
and reservations.
Campfire Circle
Campfire programs are given each Saturday evening,
for overnight visitors, at the campfire circle.
The circle is located in the southwest corner of
the Pine Grove Campground. The time varies with
the season; check with the ranger station. In addition,
a ranger-guided nature walk starts each Sunday morning
at 9:00 am, in the picnic area.
Concessions
The concession store is located in the picnic area,
and has limited camping and grocery items, drinks,
snacks, and souvenirs. The store is where canoes,
kayaks, and motorboats may be rented. Tickets for
the tour boat are purchased there, and check-in
and check-out for the cabins is also handled at
the store.
Fishing
Fishing in the Loxahatchee River varies from freshwater
fishing in the upper river to saltwater angling
as you approach the picnic area and boat ramp. There
can be some overlap of species; it is possible to
catch snook and snapper far upriver near Trapper’s,
and largemouth bass as far down as the mouth of
Kitching Creek. Be sure you have the appropriate
license (or licenses) for the area and species you
are fishing. Check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission for more information. Freshwater
fishing is also available in several of the ponds
and lakes, mainly in the eastern and southeastern
areas of the park.
Full Facility Camping
Two family campgrounds are to be found at Jonathan
Dickinson State Park. Pine Grove Campground, with
90 sites, is located near the ranger station in the
east part of the park. The River Campground is about
four miles from the park entrance, near the Loxahatchee
River. It has 45 sites. Both campgrounds have large,
tiled bathhouses with hot-water showers, and sites
with water, electric, table and grill. There is a
dump station in each campground.
Horse Trails
Eight miles of horse trail start at the Eaglesview
area, for those trailering their own horses into the
park. Trail maps are available at the ranger station.
Nature Trails
Four, scenic nature trails wind through the park,
allowing visitors to explore the park’s various
habitats. The Kitching Creek-Wilson Creek Trails
start in the picnic area parking lot, and lead the
visitor through pine flatwoods and along the creeks.
The Kitching Creek portion is a self-guiding trail,
with a brochure available. The Hobe Mountain Trail
is a short, beautiful boardwalk that climbs up through
the sand pine scrub to the observation tower, from
which commanding views of the entire park and surrounding
area may be had. The Sand Pine Scrub Nature Trail
is actually the beginning ½ mile of our portion
of the Florida Trail. A self-guiding leaflet is
available at the ranger station for this trail.
Picnicking
A large picnic area is found on the shores of the
Loxahatchee, with dozens of picnic tables and grills.
Four picnic pavilions are found here, and three
are reservable for a fee. The “Loxahatchee”
and “Wilson Creek” pavilions are $60.00
plus tax (10 tables – 60 persons) and the
larger “Kitching Creek” pavilion is
$90.00 plus tax (20 tables – 120 persons).
Call the ranger station at 772-546-2771 for reservations.
One pavilion is left for first-come, first-served,
and the other three may be similarly used if they
have not been reserved. The concession store is
located here, with drinks, snacks, tour boat tickets,
and canoe rentals. Two nature trails start here,
and a children’s playground is centrally located.
Primitive Camping
Primitive Camping Two backpack camps are available
on segments of the Florida Trail. One is nine miles
out along the trail, and the other is 12 miles out.
A pitcher pump is located near each camp; WATER
MUST BE TREATED. Overnight trips to these sites
must begin by certain specified times of the day;
call the ranger station at 772-546-2771 for information
and reservations.
Wildlife Viewing
Many species of wildlife may be observed at Jonathan
Dickinson State Park, including deer, raccoons,
foxes, otters, bobcats, and more. Alligators are
commonly seen, as are turtles along the river. Threatened
and endangered species include Florida scrub-jays,
gopher tortoises, manatees, and Eastern indigo snakes.
Over 140 species of birds have been identified here,
making Jonathan Dickinson a premier birding destination.
Youth Camping
The park has three youth group sites, for up to
30 persons each. Each site is equipped with tables
and a fire circle, and a composting toilet. There
is no water in this area; the closest potable water
is about a mile away at the picnic area.
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