Perched atop the ancient shorelines of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, Hypoluxo Scrub Natural Area is a remarkably intact example of Florida scrub.
An endangered habitat that once spanned many miles across the state, it can be viewed from both near and far at this preserve.
Walk through the preserve and view it from the observation towersManaged by Palm Beach County, a 0.6 mile round trip along an inviting concrete sidewalk immerses visitors in desertic landscapes.
Extend the hike to 1.7 miles through scrubby pine flatwoods on natural sandy terrain.
The hike is partly accessible, partly along footpathsResources
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.
Overview
Location: Hypoluxo
Length: 1.7 miles
Trailhead: 26.571361, -80.055778
Address: 150 Hypoluxo Road, Hypoluxo
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Palm Beach County
Phone: 561-233-2400
Open sunrise to sunset. No pets allowed.
Directions
From Interstate 95, follow Hypoluxo Rd east 0.8 mile. The preserve entrance is on the right side of the road.
Hike
Beginning the hike with a bird’s eye view of the scrub, walk to either end of the parking lot where a ramp ascends to the covered observation deck.
An elevated walkway flanked by two towers provides panoramic vistas of the property.
View from the towerReturning to the ground floor, head underneath the platform to the preserve gate, passing a statue of the Barefoot Mailman along the way.
The statue and an interpretive display commemorate carriers that famously delivered mail from Hypoluxo to Miami on foot and by rowboat in the late 1800s.
The Barefoot MailmanPassing through a chain-link fence into the natural area, follow the sidewalk as it leads past an information kiosk.
Cross stark white sands covered with gopher apple and patches of golden grasses.
Clusters of shrubby oaks strung with love vine stand alongside silvery saw palmettos as the trail meanders southward to a fork at the beginning of a loop.
Scrub sidewalkTurn right to begin the loop in a counterclockwise direction. Follow the walkway through a mix of oaks, hog plums and fragrant Florida rosemary bushes.
Reach a set of covered benches alongside a sandy clearing. The sidewalk continues for 0.2 mile before concluding at the paved path leading back to the trailhead.
Florida rosemary covered in love vineTo explore the southern loop, look for a gap in the bushes next to the covered benches where a post with a yellow dot indicates the trail route.
These trail markers lead the way as scrub transitions to noticeably different scrubby flatwoods habitat.
Leaving the sidewalkSlash pines rise overhead as the well-defined pathway snakes across a carpet of pine needles dotted with vibrant yellow wildflowers and an occasional pawpaw.
The loop curves back at the southern end of the preserve, passing an artificial wetland before joining an access road for a short jog and reentering the scrub community.
Pine forestPay close attention to the trail markers on the eastern side of the loop, as a few social trails branch off and it is easy to lose the way.
Reaching the paved section again at 1.5 miles, turn right to follow the path for 0.2 miles back to the trailhead.
You’ll know you’re close when the observation towers appear in the distance.
Observation towersTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Hypoluxo Scrub Natural Area
Nearby Adventures
Winding Waters Natural Area Miles of marked trails wind through restored wetlands and pine forests teeming with birds on a large parcel of land saved from development after years of agricultural use. 
Sandhill Crane Loop Discover the wild beauty of the Sandhill Crane Tract of Loxahatchee Slough on this soggy loop hike through swamps, prairies, and to a tall observation tower with panoramic views.
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge At the edge of Boynton Beach, where historic farmlands have given way to subdivisions, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is a 145,000 acre buffer between suburbia and the Everglades.
Mounts Botanical Garden Dense woodlands, open plains, and lakes: it's all recreated here just outside the fence of the West Palm Beach International Airport at Mounts Botanical Garden. 
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026
- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
- Little Awesome Preserve - October 19, 2026