At the end of the Main Park Road in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, you’ll find the mangrove-lined banks of the Loxahatchee River.
The River Campground, Education Center, and kayak launch all adjoin this Wild and Scenic waterway, along with the picnic grounds of the day use area.
The Loxhatchee RiverOne of only two rivers in Florida to have a Wild and Scenic River designation, a large portion of this tidally influenced waterway is surrounded and protected by the state park.
Starting at the picnic area, the Kitching Creek Nature Trail ventures into a mix of unique environments in the Loxahatchee watershed.
Pine flatwoods along the Kitching Creek Nature TrailIt has both a loop route and access to the further reaches of the park via a system of marked equestrian trails, including to the Kitching Creek campsite.
It’s a primitive backpacking camping area on the Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail, approximately three miles from the Nature Trail trailhead.
Kitching Creek campsiteResources
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Overview
Location: Hobe Sound
Length: 1.5 miles
Trailhead: 26.9926667, -80.1467500
Address: 16450 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound
Fees: $4-6 per vehicle
Restrooms: At the picnic area
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 772-546-2771
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From the intersection of Indiantown Rd. and Interstate 95, head east on Indiantown Rd for 1.1 miles before turning left onto Center St. In 2.3 miles, turn left at A1A, continuing for 1 mile before making another left onto US 1. Stay straight on US 1 for 3.7 miles, then turn left into the park entrance. Past the ranger station, make a right at the T and follow the park road for 4 miles to the day use area on the Loxahatchee River. As you enter it, the trailhead sign is on the right.
Hike
Starting at the trailhead sign, follow a narrow pathway cutting through the palmettos as it leads out into a pine flatwoods ecosystem.
Heavy undergrowth carpets this expansive landscape, covering the forest floor in a mix of emerald shrubs and golden grasses as far as the eye can see.
Trailhead mapIn this section of the park, the habitat is labeled as wet flatwoods, and the trail is subject to flooding, especially after heavy rains.
At 0.2 mile, the path opens to a wide, sandy corridor before crossing Wilson Creek on a sturdy wooden bridge.
Wilson Creek bridgePassing a bench nestled among clusters of native foliage, the trail follows alongside the Loxahatchee River.
Although the waterway never comes into view, a tree line to the south reveals a distinct border.
The regular burns that sweep across this fire-dependent forest stop at that point before reaching the riverbank.
Trailside benchColorful wildflowers dot the landscape, especially in the late summer and early winter.
Blazing stars and false foxglove produce purple and pink blooms, while the vibrant scarlet hue of pine lilies stand out against a sea of green.
Pine lilyAt 0.7 mile, the trail reaches Kitching Creek alongside an observation platform currently under repair.
To the north, a wide access road cuts through the pine savanna, paralleling the creek for 1.4 miles before intersecting with the orange-blazed Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail.
Pine savannaAlthough a trail once known as the Kitching Creek Loop previously continued out into this wild landscape, the nature trail ends here with a warning sign.
Exploration beyond this point is perfectly acceptable, but the trail is in a backcountry setting and not well marked.
Turn right before reaching the sign, following the loop eastward towards the edge of a large depression marsh.
End of loop trailIn 0.3 mile, the trail turns right, passing a couple of water control structures on Wilson Creek.
The pathway takes an imperceptible climb in elevation as soggy wet flatwoods give way to dry sand before completing the loop at 1.2 miles.
Turn left, crossing the wooden bridge once more before reaching the trailhead in a quarter mile.
Sandy pathwayTrail Map
Blue: River Trail. Brown: Multiuse Trail. Purple: Camp Murphy Trails (beginner).
Explore More!
Learn more about Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Jonathan Dickinson State Park One of South Florida's best backpacking destinations, Jonathan Dickinson State Park encompasses a vast mosaic of ecosystems along the wild and scenic Loxahatchee River.Video
A walk through the Kitching Creek Nature Trail
Nearby Adventures
Jonathan Dickinson River Trail Burrow into a tangled tunnel of mangrove forest with the Loxahatchee River lapping at their roots on a nature trail combining scrub-topped bluffs and river-level mud.
Hobe Mountain Trail Catch sweeping views in every direction atop the highest natural hill south of Lake Okeechobee on the Hobe Mountain Trail at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Straddling both sides of the Indian River Lagoon between Hobe Sound and Tequesta, this refuge provides both sea turtle nesting grounds and Florida scrub-jay habitat.
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area One of only three federally designated ONAs in the United States, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area combines a unique location with botanical beauty and history. 
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