Although the coastal communities are heavily populated, Palm Beach County has done an extraordinary job of preserving natural lands, including large swaths of habitat suitable for backpacking and swamp walking. As a result, there are many trails near West Palm Beach for hiking, biking, and paddling, in a variety of lengths.
Nearby: Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Palm Beach, Ocean-to-Lake
Trails in West Palm Beach
Ann Norton Sculpture Garden- One of the largest palm collections in the United States is the backdrop for the oversized works of sculptor Ann Norton on this 1.7 acre estate adjoining her former home and studio in West Palm Beach.
Apoxee Wilderness Trail- In the wet prairies and tropical hammocks of Apoxee Wilderness, an urban wilderness area, you'll walk through the water supply of West Palm Beach on a 4.7-mile day hike through the southernmost part of Grassy Waters Preserve
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
Bethesda-by-the-Sea- At Bethedsa-by-the-Sea, worship is not held just in hallowed halls but in the grace of the garden. Surrounding this historic Palm Beach church are colorful plantings of unusual tropical plants like the big leafed sea grape. 
Custard Apple Trail- Winding through a tropical hammock and along open marshes, the interpretive Custard Apple Trail provides a taste of the wilderness that once covered Lake Worth.
Eagle Trail- Forming a loop around Gator Lake in Grassy Waters Preserve, the half-mile Eagle Trail tunnels through a tropical hammock to provide overlooks across Loxahatchee Slough.
Florida Trail, Corbett WMA to Lucky Tract- On this 12.1 miles of the Florida Trail from Corbett WMA to the Lucky Tract campsite, immerse in the full diversity of habitats you'll find in Palm Beach County
Florida Trail, Lucky Tract to Kitching Creek- A hike of extreme contrast, this 10.5 mile segment of the Florida Trail between Lucky Tract and Kitching Creek in Jupiter provides an interesting backpacking trip.
Florida Trail, Ocean to Lake: Corbett WMA- With 11.7 miles of linear hiking in a vast watery wilderness - like Big Cypress and the Everglades - you'd hardly believe this Florida Trail section at Corbett WMA is in Palm Beach County
Four Arts Gardens- Designed in 1938 as demonstration gardens by the Garden Club of Palm Beach to show the diversity of tropical plants available for landscaping in the region, the Four Arts Gardens offer a peaceful retreat from the surrounding downtown area.
Frenchman’s Forest Natural Area- In Palm Beach Gardens, Frenchman's Forest Natural Area offers nearly 3 miles of trails through a 172-acre natural area with seven different habitats to explore, right behind the Gardens Mall.
Grassy Waters Preserve- Protecting a sheet flow of rainfall moving steadily southward and parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, Grassy Waters Preserve bears a striking resemblance to the Everglades - because it is.
Green Cay Wetlands- At Green Cay Wetlands, boardwalks meander through 100 acres of re-created wetlands that bring a touch of the Everglades back to its original home in Boynton Beach.
Hog Hammock Trail- Offering a hike into the Loxahatchee Slough, the Hog Hammock Trail at Grassy Waters Preserve leads into a dark, fern-filled cabbage palm hammock with a 2.8 mile loop.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park- Opened in 1989 on Singer Island, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is extraordinarily popular due to its coastal lagoons, well-preserved tropical forests, and beautiful beach with nearshore rocky reefs. 
Juno Dunes Natural Area- At Juno Dunes Natural Area, two loop trails flank US 1. While shade is at a premium, botanical diversity makes this a worthy destination for an early morning hike
Loxahatchee NWR Cypress Trail- Following the boardwalk behind the Visitor Center at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, you'll enter a jungle-like wonderland along the Cypress Trail into a habitat lush with ferns and bromeliads
Loxahatchee NWR Marsh Trail- At Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, the Marsh Trail provides a marked trail to follow on the extensive dike system. It is one of the region's best birding sites, where you'll see dozens of species.
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, where unusual trees like baobab and rainbow eucalyptus are with more common tropical flora and native species. 
Okeeheelee Nature Trail- A network of wheelchair-accessible walkways wind through 90 acres of pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and dense palm hammocks in the far corner of Okeeheelee Park.
Pan’s Garden- Established in 1994 to celebrate the beauty of Florida's native tropical plants, Pan's Garden hides in the midst of the tony downtown Palm Beach business and shopping district, with several entrances to let visitors slip in for a moment's rest.
Riverbend Park- A county park with compacted paths suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, Riverbend Park in Jupiter has a meandering trail system through the Loxahatchee River floodplain.
Satinleaf Trail- Before you head out to the beach at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, a quick stroll down the Satinleaf Trail will get you oriented to the tropical habitats that this park protects on Singer Island
Wakodatahatchee Wetlands- Wading birds everywhere: that's the delight of a walk along the boardwalks of Wakodahatchee Wetlands. The first wetlands park in the region, it continues to draw a regular crowd for morning stolls, photography, and serious birdwatching.
Wetlands Hammock Trail- An outdoor classroom for schoolchildren, Pine Jog Environmental Center is also open to the public to explore the deeply forested 135-acre urban property on an array of short nature trails.
Related Articles
The Return of Wet Feet (6/14/2013)- Last week, we headed south to visit friends and to start the ball rolling for this year’s Big O Hike. Being the oldest continuous annual hike in Florida, we felt compelled to keep it going. After more than a decade as the “man in charge,” Paul Cummings wanted to retire and turn over the reins […]