Top 5 Free Things to Do in Jupiter, Florida

Posted by Waterfront Marketing Staff

Updated on November 8th, 2023

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Published in Things To Do

It's hard to be bored in Palm Beach County, but Jupiter, specifically, is the ideal town for free recreation. Just a few exits away on I-95 from the hustle and bustle of downtown West Palm, Jupiter is a tropical oasis, with a long stretch of undeveloped beach, green spaces everywhere you go, and a vibrant community. While there is certainly no shortage of other things to do in Jupiter, ranging from a cheap round of mini golf to luxury offshore fishing charters--you can have a blast in Jupiter every day of the week without spending a dime, or with minimal upfront costs. This is not an exhaustive or definite list for everyone, but here are our top 5 free things to do in Jupiter, Florida.

All of our top 5 free things to do in Jupiter are outdoor activities, which comes as no surprise given the climate

1. The Beaches:
   Jupiter is the ultimate beach town. Not only is almost its entire eastern border coastline, but that coastline is almost entirely sandy beach open to the public. Starting just north of the Juno Beach pier, and running all the way to the Jupiter Inlet, the beaches of Jupiter are the epitome of paradise on earth. Very few sections of beachfront property are developed, leaving almost everything East of A1A beautifully natural. If you have a dog, then much of this stretch of beach is designated an "off-leash dog beach". We've written an entire other blog on that, which you can find here. And, hardly anywhere else has the amount of free parking that Jupiter does. These beaches are really meant to be enjoyed by the public. So, whether you like morning walks on the beach, long days spent underneath an umbrella, games, picnics, watersports (surfing, kiteboarding), or searching for wildlife --these beaches are special, even for Palm Beach County.
2. Swimming/Snorkeling at DuBois Park and Cato’s Bridge:
   Buying a snorkel would be an upfront cost, but even if you just want to swim, Dubois Park and Cato’s Bridge are two of the best places to go. At high tide, the water is clearer and there is an abundance of sea creatures. Due to their proximity to the mouth of the Loxahatchee River/Jupiter Inlet, these places are teeming with life. DuBois Park has plenty of free parking and is accessible via Jupiter Beach Park as well. Cato’s Bridge can be accessed from the parking lots by the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum and the Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area. Check out our other blog post on Cato’s Bridge here. Be mindful of the tides and currents, and only do what you feel comfortable with.
3. Fishing:
   Again, fishing gear and licenses are the upfront costs, but once you have them, fishing in Jupiter is full of possibilities. We’ve also written a whole other blog about fishing the river and other inshore spots, or heading offshore (which, of course, would not be free, unless your friend is taking you out on their boat at no charge). And fishing pays for itself if you eat your catch! Be aware of laws, limits, and guidelines from Florida Fish and Wildlife here.
4. Pickup Games:
   In parks like Jupiter Community Park, Carlin Park, and Ocean Cay Park, you will find courts and fields that are open to the public. You can often find, or start, pickup basketball and sand volleyball games, which would be completely free if someone else brought the ball. But you’ll also find free-to-use tennis and pickleball courts, so if you have that gear, then you’re good to go! Jupiter Community Park also has a bunch of baseball, softball, and open fields. These also aren’t the only parks around! There are plenty of smaller, neighborhood parks all over Jupiter that have a variety of free things to do.
5. Nature Trails:
   Now, the one thing that most of Florida does not have going for it is elevation. So, we can’t really call this “hiking”, although some call it that. Regardless, in places like: North Jupiter Flatwoods Natural Area, Jupiter Ridge Natural Area, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, Riverbend Park, Cypress Creek Natural Area, Loxahatchee River Natural Area, Pine Glades Natural Area, Carlin Park, and the Abacoa Greenway, you’ll find miles of nature trails that are excellent for getting away from concrete and pavement. And for larger parks (that aren’t technically in Jupiter but are a short drive away) you can go to Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, or John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm. 

Other Things to Do in Jupiter, Florida

There is a lot more to talk about, and there is a lot more to do, but going to the beach, swimming/snorkeling, fishing, joining a pickup game, and exploring the nature trails are just our quick top 5 free things to do in Jupiter. There are so many different spots to do each of these things that you could rotate through them every weekend for a year and not directly repeat yourself. Of course, every local has their own favorite spot(s), but the point is: Jupiter is a town full of excellent options when it comes to free things to do.

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