The DuPuis Natural Area is a 21,875 acre, multi-use natural area, located in northwestern Palm Beach County, west of Indiantown (click the link below for a map). The property is interspersed with numerous ponds, wet prairies, cypress domes, pine flatwoods, and remnant Everglades marsh. The area provides wonderful opportunities to observe wildlife, including deer, otters, wild turkey, wild hog, raccoons, and eagles. There are miles of hiking and horseback trails, and an equestrian center with picnic areas. https://my.sfwmd.gov/portal/page?_pageid=2236,4744679&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
This park, located in Hobe Sound (just north of Jupiter on US Highway 1), teems with wildlife in 13 natural communities, including sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, mangroves, and river lagoons. The Loxahatchee River, Florida's first federally designated Wild and Scenic River, runs through the park. Ranger-guided tours of the 1930s pioneer homestead of Trapper Nelson are available year-round. Visitors can enjoy paved and off-road biking, equestrian, and hiking trails. Boating, canoeing, and kayaking along the river are also great ways to see the park. Anglers can catch freshwater fish along the riverbank or from a boat. The park offers two full-facility campgrounds and a primitive campground. Visitors can arrange boat tours of the river and rent canoes, kayaks, and motorboats. http://www.floridastateparks.org/jonathandickinson/default.cfm
The Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area
The Seminole Indians used this region as a refuge during the Seminole Indian War of 1835, but living off the land quickly proved difficult. Hundreds of starving Indians were captured and sent to Oklahoma. The area became known as "The Hungryland."
Today, outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of many miles of established, multi-use trails for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Some trails are wet, depending on the weather. Trail use is best during the drier, winter months. In addition, the canal levees provide great hiking, bicycling and horseback riding opportunities. The area is teeming with wildlife: alligators, otters, bobcats, deer, hogs, and several species of wading birds and hawks are commonly seen. Trails are closed to riders during hunting dates in the fall.
This park will be open in the near future, and is a sister park to Jonathan Dickinson State Park. It includes several thousand acres of pristine wilderness and clearly marked trails, and will be exclusively for equestrian usage. Before it was officially purchased by the State, it was used by the local fox hunting groups for hunter paces. We look forward to riding in this park because we have heard it is one of the most beautiful areas.
