Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Day Trip from West Palm Beach

The Headquarters Area entrance on Lee Road gives you access to the visitor center, impoundments, trails, boat ramps and other outdoor facilities. For a driving route, take I-95 to Exit 57 or the Florida Turnpike to Exit 86, head west on Boynton Beach Boulevard, turn left at US-441/State Road 7, then turn right onto Lee Road.

The refuge also has the Hillsboro and 20 Mile Bend areas. Their access hours differ from Headquarters, so check the official site before you go.

The refuge says access to some areas may be restricted seasonally to protect nesting wildlife or sensitive habitat. If you are planning local travel without a car, the West Palm Beach transportation guide covers getting around the city.

Choose your route by activity: the Marsh Trail and impoundment trails are for walking and biking, while the Canoe Trail is for non-motorized watercraft. Motorboats are permitted in the perimeter canal and the refuge interior’s Motorized Zone; the speed limit is 35 mph on refuge waters.

Loxahatchee refuge trails range from a short loop to long levee routes, so you can match your outing to the time and activity you have in mind. The refuge permits hiking, biking, pet walking, horseback riding and paddling only in designated areas.

Marsh Trail and impoundment trails

The Marsh Trail is a 0.96-mile loop for pedestrians and bicyclists, with a mostly flat surface of crushed gravel or grass on a levee. Fishing is allowed there. The C-Impoundment Trails total 6.85 miles and are also mostly flat levee roads surfaced with crushed gravel and/or grass; fishing is allowed unless posted closed.

The A-Impoundment Trails extend 3.3 miles in sections. They are open to pedestrians and bicyclists, with mostly flat levee surfaces of crushed gravel and/or grass and some exposed tree roots. The refuge recommends a mountain or hybrid bicycle on trails where biking is permitted.

Canoe Trail and Perimeter Levee

The marked Canoe Trail runs 5.5 miles through the water, with markers every mile. Bring your own canoe or kayak; pets are allowed in your own watercraft.

The Perimeter Levee encircles the refuge interior for about 58 miles, but only 36 miles are open to trail users. One-way sections run 11 miles from Lee Road north to S362, 12.6 miles from Lee Road south to Hillsboro, and 12.7 miles from Hillsboro northwest to S-6.

Pet walking and horseback riding are allowed only on the Perimeter Levee. Keep pets confined or on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets are not permitted at the visitor center, on the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk, along Lee Road or at the A, B and C Impoundments.

The refuge is a federal fee area, with a daily vehicle pass costing $10 and an annual pass costing $25; the annual pass is valid only at this refuge. You can purchase either pass at the visitor center, at self-pay stations at all three entrances, or online through Recreation.gov.

The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Passes are sold there during those hours.

The refuge accepts cash or check; make checks payable to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Entrance fees are waived for visitors entering on foot, by bicycle or on horseback, and on posted Fee Free Days.

Headquarters outdoor facilities, including the A, B and C Impoundments, trails and boat ramps, are open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; public use is closed from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The Hillsboro and 20 Mile Bend areas are open 24 hours. Hours and access can change, so check the official site before you go.

Bring water and footwear suited to levee surfaces of gravel or grass; exposed roots occur on sections of the A-Impoundment Trails. A water bottle can be refilled at the visitor center, and restrooms are available inside and outside it. Portable toilets are located at every boat ramp.

Wildlife includes alligators, venomous snakes and biting insects, and the refuge also has toxic plants and sensitive habitats. Do not feed or harass wildlife. If an animal changes its behavior, back away. Stay within designated areas for your activity and follow any posted restrictions.

For a land-based outing, drive to the Lee Road entrance and start at the visitor center if you want maps, brochures, wildlife-sighting information or the 16-minute refuge video. The center also has interactive exhibits and a water-bottle refilling station.

From there, choose a walk or bike ride on an open trail, such as the 0.96-mile Marsh Trail, or set aside more time for an impoundment route.

If paddling is your plan, bring your own canoe or kayak for the marked 5.5-mile Canoe Trail. Check current alerts and closures before settling on a route, as access can be restricted to protect wildlife or habitat.

The refuge is about 15.3 miles from a one-star motel in West Palm Beach. A wetland outing offers a different setting from the coast; West Palm Beach beaches are another kind of day out to consider while planning your time in the area.

How much does a vehicle pass cost?

A daily vehicle pass costs $10. An annual pass costs $25 and is valid only at Loxahatchee refuge.

Can you bring a bicycle?

Yes. Bicycles are allowed on designated trails, including the Marsh Trail and the A- and C-Impoundment Trails. The refuge recommends a mountain or hybrid bicycle where biking is permitted.

Can you bring a canoe or kayak?

Yes. The 5.5-mile Canoe Trail is for non-motorized watercraft, and you need to bring your own canoe or kayak.

Are pets allowed at the refuge?

Pet walking is allowed only on the Perimeter Levee, with pets confined or on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets are not permitted at the visitor center or in several other designated areas.