Palm Beach County is an excellent area to live especially if you appreciate and love the outdoors. Most everyone is familiar with the miles and miles of beaches, waterways, and palm trees; however, some people are unaware that our area also has some beautiful state parks. Here are two favorite local state parks.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach features snarls of mangrove marshlands and trails that meander through canopies of trees. There are extensive boardwalks and footpaths that traverse the lagoon. Additionally, there are almost two miles of unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. MacArthur State Park is snuggled on a barrier island offering swimming, fishing, educational programs, dedicated events, kayak rentals, and exceptional snorkeling. The park has a nature center, gift shop, playground, and picnicking facilities. If you visit during June or July, make sure to go on a guided sea turtle walk, where you can watch a mother sea turtle lay her eggs under the cover of darkness.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, just over the Palm Beach and Martin County line offers miles of coastal sandhills, upland lakes, and scrub forests. The unspoiled Loxahatchee River winds along the state park. These features make this park a distinctive place to explore by foot or water. Historical interests include a secret WWII training camp, the story of the shipwrecked Quaker merchant who is the park’s namesake, and Trapper Nelson, the legendary Wild Man of the Loxahatchee.

If you live in South Florida, there is a lot to see and do outdoors. Do not just settle for the white sand beaches and glorious weather! Go and explore some of the great state parks.