Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, located near Hobe Sound, along Florida’s Treasure Coast, offers over 10,000 acres of hilly (for Florida) landscapes and outdoor activities, making it a great nearby destination from where we live in Islamorada. Our Thor Compass made it even better. This place has over 10,000 acres of trails, a river, and history, so there’s no shortage of stuff to do. Plus, the campgrounds were great for relaxing after riding and paddling.
Pine Grove Campground, has full hookups and all the conveniences you could want with water, power, and a short walk or bike ride to the trails or river. If you’re looking for something more remote, River Campground is closer to the fishing on the Loxahatchee. It doesn’t have full hookups – just electric and water. Over multiple visits we’ve found we prefer the River Campground. Our Compass proved to be the perfect base camp. Its compact design allowed us to get around the park easily and set up with all the essentials including, comfortable beds, a kitchen, and A/C.
Fishing around Jonathan Dickinson State Park on the Loxahatchee River offers opportunities for snook, tarpon, and bass. The river’s mix of freshwater and brackish zones makes it ideal for targeting largemouth bass, especially in the upper reaches. As you move closer to the estuaries, you’ll find snook, particularly around mangroves and creek mouths. Juvenile tarpon can also be found, especially in the spring and summer.
One of the highlights of this trip was kayaking and canoeing on the Loxahatchee River. Florida’s first federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Loxahatchee winds through a mix of cypress swamps, mangroves, and sawgrass marshes, offering a beautiful backdrop for paddling. The waterway is lined with old cypress trees, draped in Spanish moss.
We launched near the park’s boat ramp and paddled upstream, where the river narrows and becomes more shaded. Here, the current picks up slightly, adding a bit of challenge. The further you go, the quieter it gets. For a longer trip, you can paddle to Trapper Nelson’s homestead, a historic site where a man known as the “Wildman of the Loxahatchee” lived off the land in the mid-1900s. This stop offers an interesting look into Florida’s pioneer history.
The mountain biking here is the stuff of legend, drawing riders from all over with its mix of fast-flowing singletrack, technical climbs, and heart-pounding descents. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, there’s a trail to match your skill. The next day, we traded two wheels for paddles, exploring the winding Loxahatchee River by kayak. This was one of the first trips in our Thor Compass and being able to return to the camper nearby after a long day was a game-changer. Nothing beats returning to A/C, a cold drink, and a comfortable spot to stretch out.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a paradise for photographers, offering opportunities to capture Florida’s natural beauty. The early morning light filtering through the cypress trees along the Loxahatchee River creates a magical atmosphere, perfect for landscape shots. Wildlife photographers will find an abundance of subjects. The park’s varied terrain, including sand pine scrub, riverine forests, and open grasslands, provides a constantly changing backdrop for photography. Adding to its unique character, the park is bisected by the Florida East Coast Railway, a reminder of the region’s history and contrast to the surrounding wilderness. The sight of a train cutting through the landscape offers a great subject for photographers, blending nature with the remnants of Florida’s industrial past.