Explore Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a Florida State Park in Martin County settled between Tequesta and Hobe Sound. Located just five miles north of Jupiter, the park features a variety of natural habitats, mangroves, river swamps, and wildlife among its 16 natural communities. The Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first federally designated scenic and wild river, runs through the middle of the park.
The park got its name after a Quaker merchant named Jonathan Dickinson who was shipwrecked off the coast in 1696. During the second World War, the park’s location was home to the Camp Murphy Army Base for the Southern Signal Corps School. The barracks are still visible and remain in the park today. The property was transferred from the United States Government to the State of Florida for a state park in 1947 and the park officially opened to the public in 1950.
Today, the almost 12,000 acres of the park is filled with various recreational activities such as boating, walking trails, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, fishing, biking, equestrian trails, swimming, tours, guide tours, and much more. Housed in the park is the Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center that explains much of the parks history and nature.
The park also has two full-facility campgrounds and campground sites throughout the park to camp out and enjoy the park. The park has the last Atlantic coast state campground area before reaching the Florida Keys.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is located at 16450 SE Federal Highway in Hobe Sound. For more information visit, www.jdstatepark.com.Â
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