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Discover This Enormous Florida State Park That Has 11500 Acres

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is an amazing place to visit in South Florida.

It has everything you could want in an outdoor adventure.

There are exciting mountain biking trails, peaceful hiking paths, and wonderful campsites with full hookups.

You can also enjoy water sports on the Loxahatchee River.

The park is full of history and offers many activities for all ages.

It is a perfect spot for a family vacation or a solo adventure.

History of Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Jonathan Dickinson State Park covers 10,500 acres.

It is named after Jonathan Dickinson, a Quaker merchant whose ship wrecked off the coast in 1696.

During World War II, the area was a top-secret radar training school. The land became a state park in 1950.

The park now offers mountain biking, hiking, water sports, and camping.

There is a self-guided driving audio tour available at the ranger station.

This tour provides an excellent overview of the park’s history and natural features.

The park’s diverse environments include sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, and mangroves, each home to different plant and animal species.

Camping at Jonathan Dickinson State Park

There are two main campgrounds in Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

The Pine Grove Campground has 90 full hookup campsites.

These sites include modern bathhouses with showers and laundry machines.

The campsites are large, private, and flat, with picnic tables and fire rings.

All sites have sewer connections, along with water and electric.

The River Campground has 52 campsites with water and electric hookups.

It is located near the Loxahatchee River, about four miles from the ranger station.

This campground also has modern facilities with hot showers and laundry machines.

There is one dump station near the Pine Grove Campground.

The ratio of campsites to dump stations is 52:1, making it easy to dump tanks upon departure.

Recreational Activities

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

The park has many mountain biking trails of various difficulty levels.

These trails are popular with locals and visitors alike.

There are also miles of hiking trails that offer a variety of terrain.

You can hike through sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, and along the river.

Water sports are a big draw at the park. The Loxahatchee River offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking.

There are guided horseback trail rides available on the park’s back-country trails.

The park also features a 27-foot observation tower on Hobe Mountain, offering stunning views of the park and the Atlantic coast.

Campground Review Criteria

When reviewing campgrounds, we consider five criteria: Hospitality and Check-In, Infrastructure & Amenities, Site Quality, Exercisability, and Workability.

For Jonathan Dickinson State Park, we give high marks in all these categories.

Hospitality and Check-In receive a 4 out of 5. Check-in at the ranger station was easy and quick.

Infrastructure & Amenities get a perfect 5 out of 5.

The park’s amenities, including roads, bathhouses, and laundry machines, are in excellent shape.

Site Quality also scores a 5 out of 5. The campsites are large, private, and level.

Exercisability gets a 5 out of 5 for the many ways to recreate at the park.

Finally, Workability receives a 5 out of 5 due to the excellent bandwidth for AT&T and Verizon.

Trapper Nelson Homestead

A must-visit attraction in the park is the Trapper Nelson Homestead.

Trapper Nelson was a hunter and a trapper who started a zoo at his homestead.

The zoo was a popular tourist spot in the 1940s and 1960s. After the zoo shut down, the land was given to Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

The homestead can only be reached by boat, making it a unique and exciting destination.

Visitors can explore Nelson’s original homestead and learn about his life and legacy.

The site includes his home, guest house, and various animal pens.

There is also an African sausage tree, one of only a few in North America, which was pollinated by bats.

Final Thoughts

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is one of the best state parks in Florida.

It offers a wide range of activities, from mountain biking and hiking to water sports and historical tours.

The campgrounds are well-maintained and provide excellent amenities.

The park’s rich history and natural beauty make it a must-visit destination for travelers.

Whether you are planning a family trip or a solo adventure, Jonathan Dickinson State Park has something for everyone.

Remember to book your campsite well in advance, as spots fill up quickly, especially during the cooler months.

Enjoy your visit to this incredible state park!

Credits: Navigator4088 and CampTravelExplore

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