One of the oldest county parks in Florida, John Prince Memorial Park is named after a Palm Beach County Commissioner instrumental in the creation of this park in the 1930s and 40s.
Occupying former marshlands west of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, little of the original habitat remains aside from the Custard Apple Trail, which showcases a lush tropical hammock.
Custard Apple TrailA popular destination for families, this expansive green space features walking paths, softball fields, basketball courts, and racquet courts.
At the southern end of the park, a large developed campground offers overnight accommodation for RV and tent campers.
Campground signResources
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: West Palm Beach
Length: Up to 11.8 miles
Trailhead: 26.604389, -80.089139
Address: 2700 6th Avenue South, Lake Worth
Fees: Free
Restroom: Many throughout the park
Land manager: Palm Beach County
Phone: 561-966-6600
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From Interstate 95 in Lake Worth, head west on 6th Ave S for 1.2 miles before turning left onto S Congress Ave. In 0.4 mile, make a left onto Prince Dr, continuing for a quarter mile to a set of parking lots along Center Dr.
About the Park
Miles of paved trails wind across the property, tracing the shoreline of Lake Osbourne and a smaller body of water known as Square Lake.
Several playgrounds and covered picnic benches are found along the main paved route, a linear 7 miles largely along the waterfront.
It stretches north from the campground to Lake Worth Rd, then along the eastern side of the lake to Lantana Rd.
PlaygroundThe park supports a surprising amount of wildlife, from migrating and resident birds to non-native iguanas basking near the shoreline.
Limpkins, wood storks, and herons wade in the shallows while anhingas are often spotted with their wings spread to dry out in the sun.
Large iguanaIn addition to paved walking trails, a 1.2 mile mulched loop weaves between a scattering of oak and pine trees on the western side of the park.
Beginning and ending at a covered outdoor fitness area with workout machines, this loop provides twenty workout stations along the way.
Fitness trailA popular spot for fishing, the park features several docks and a few access points for kayaks and canoes along Square Lake.
Motorized boats can be launched at a ramp on the north end of Lake Osbourne.
While walking along the waters edge, it is common to see boats and jet skis cruising by.
Fishing pierHiking
Accessed from a small parking area next to the campground office, the Pond Apple Trail offers a short jaunt into wild landscapes of South Florida.
The main trail follows a crushed shell pathway along a half mile loop intersected by a few cross trails.
Marked with signage at junctions, the Coot, Cypress, Dahoon, and Heron trails provide additional opportunities to explore this little slice of natural habitat.
Cypress treesNumerous native species of plants line the winding pathways, from cocoplum, wild tamarind, and necklace pod to the trail’s namesake custard apple tree.
In the early hours of the day, oceanblue morning glories present vibrant purple flowers along their vining stems.
CocoplumThe main paved pathway is accessible from many locations throughout the park, including the lot alongside the Custard Apple Trail.
From this parking area near the Congress Ave entrance, follow an easy 1.9 mile double loop at Square Lake and along a canal.
A canal bridge connects the campground corner of the park with this peninsular loop. Paved pathways continue all the way around to the other side of Lake Osbourne.
Canal BridgeFrom the main parking area west of Square Lake, the paved path around Lake Osbourne is a linear 5.6 miles.
Walk up to an 11.2 mile round trip, or make it into a loop by exiting the park at its southeast corner at Lantana Rd.
Follow the sidewalk west on the north side of Lantana Rd past the Palm Beach County Park Airport.
At the traffic light for Congress Ave, turn right to walk the sidewalk next to Congress Ave to the park entrance back to the main parking area for a 8.1 mile loop.
Picnic stop along the Lake Osbourne pathCamping
John Prince Park has the only public campground in urban Palm Beach County. It was originally a Boy Scout Camp constructed alongside the county’s regional airport.
Hugging the western shore of Lake Osbourne, the 48 acre campground offers 301 sites, with 51 of them lakefront.
Lakeside campgroundEach paved pad has full hookups and a picnic table. Aside from a grassy tent-only section near the water, most of the spots are better suited for RVs.
A laundry facility, three bathhouses, three communal fire pits, and a dog fitness walk are provided along with a launch for paddlers and a scenic overlook along the lake.
The Custard Apple Trail is along the campground entrance roadTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking John Prince Park
Nearby Adventures
Lantana Nature Preserve In a small city park a block from the Atlantic Ocean, an accessible pathway allows for an easy stroll through shady coastal hammock and mangrove ecosystems.
Peanut Island Park Accessible only by boat and home to the Kennedy Bunker, Peanut Island Park features a 1.2 mile brick-paved loop trail with boardwalks, beach access, and a campground.
High Ridge Scrub Natural Area On a small parcel of preserved scrub habitat, a partially accessible loop trail travels across ancient sand dunes topped with a forest of sand pines. 
Royal Palm Beach Pines Escape from the puzzle of subdivisions and urban strips defining densely populated Palm Beach County with a walk across this 772 acre oasis in Royal Palm Beach.
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026
- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
- Little Awesome Preserve - October 19, 2026