Enjoy a Visit to the Park that Peaks into Old Florida
By Darien Davies
Located at the headwaters of the nationally designated Wild and Scenic River: Loxahatchee River, is Riverbend Park. This Park boasts 700 acres of natural area with 10 miles of multi-use trails, eight miles of equestrian trails, and five miles of seasonal canoe trails. Visitors are welcome to enjoy nature at its finest on either two feet, four feet or sitting down, and can expect to spend the entire day soaking up all the sights and sounds. Needless to say, there’s something for everyone.
Recreation
The Park offers visitors opportunities for walking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking. All ages and abilities are welcome on the multi-use trails and facilities, and there are even picnic tables located throughout the Park, as well as pavilion rentals available for special events.
If you plan to visit in the morning, you might join the locals who walk in the morning for exercise, or hear the clicks of shutters by local photographers who take advantage of the morning light and animal action. You’ll find families that regularly take advantage of the shaded and quiet outdoor space for picnics, paddlers who take advantage of the calming waterways, and bicyclists of all abilities zooming along the trails.
Jupiter Outdoor Center
If you don’t have access to any recreational equipment, the Jupiter Outdoor Center has you covered. Located directly in the Park, you can easily and conveniently rent canoes, kayaks and bicycles, and even take advantage of guided tours along the river. The team recommends planning for at least two hours for a river trip, depending on how far you’d like to go and the speed of the current.
About the River
The Loxahatchee River flows through several different freshwater and saltwater habitats, each supporting a wide variety of wildlife. Along the banks, it’s common to see alligators, turtles, river otters, deer, raccoon, turkey, bald eagles, owls, heron, ibis, egrets, gopher tortoise, osprey, storks, scrub jay and many other species. Some of the more common types of fish include bass, panfish, mullet, snook, tarpon, redfish and jacks.
Special Events
The Park hosts a Farmstead event the first Saturday in November and their battlefield event on the last Saturday in January. The Farmstead is an event that depicts the lifestyles of turn-of-the-century pioneer of Florida and the technology that made their life better. The battlefield event is the anniversary of two battles that occurred on the property during the second Seminole War in 1838. The event has an education day on Friday to educate local school children about the War and why it occurred. On Saturday the Park is open to the public and there’s a reenactment in the afternoon.
Details
Admission to the Park is free, but there are fees associated with park programs and recreational rentals. Camping is not allowed, but visitors are welcome to bring their own recreational equipment and food. Riverbend is an alcohol-free park, with the only exception being the rental of the pavilion associated with an event. It’s also a trash free park, so if you pack it in, plan to pack it out! This helps to keep the Park exactly as pristine as intended, for the benefit of all visitors and resident animals. Animals are not permitted but working service animals are welcome.
Still not sure how to best enjoy Riverbend Park? No problem! Simply call (561) 741-1359 or email [email protected] and speak to a member of the team who is happy to help you plan your visit, or pop in the office when you arrive.
9060 W Indiantown Rd, Jupiter
@riverbend.park
