Loxahatchee River Canoe Riverbend Park to Jonathan Dickinson State Park

My buddy and I did the 8.5 mile paddle from Riverbend Park to Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Jupiter, FL. There is no shuttle service here (as of right now, may be one in the future) so you have to drop a vehicle at the State Park (entrance fee) and then shuttle back to Riverbend.
The first couple miles is a tight and twisting route through a thick cypress forest. Very cool scenery with plenty of birds, turtles and a few otters and alligators. There are two dams with portage walkways around them. A few downed trees will cause you to duck down into the canoe to get past. About 2/3 of the way down there is a large cypress tree that has fallen across the river. You must lift the canoe over the tree to get past.
Shortly after is Trapper Nelson's camp which is maintained by the State Park. After the camp the river widens and is open to slow boat traffic. The last 2 miles are open pine forest with a few cypress and oak trees scattered around. Gradually the river becomes lined with thick mangrove trees as you near the boat ramps of Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Plan on a 5-7 hour paddle depending on how many stops you make along the way.

[@travelingwithrick]

I just paddled a part of the river from riverbebd to past the first falls. A few days back I did the boat ramp at the state park down to Jupiter Inlet. The Loxahatchee is a strange but beautiful River. The headwaters are below the mouth. It goes in a huge horse shoe. Great video btw:)

[@oi3827]

Thank you for the great video and detail information. Will add to my to do list 😉

[@JCSanto]

That was beautiful. Thanks

[@robertsmith9397]

Did the same trip back in '88. Back then the fall drop was a lot higher and the dock was a lot smaller.

[@keefertorontali9042]

Awesome video man. I must know where you got the background music -It’s so happy!

[@TheHavnmonkey]

I believe the music is from Epidemic sounds dot com. Royalty free music website

[@gmlg3]

Great video! I did this paddle a few years ago and we stopped at the fallen tree. We couldn’t get the kayaks over and were forced to return back to Riverbend. Thanks for showing how you got passed the tree. I really wanted to go the whole way and see Trapper Johns so I appreciate that footage too!

[@dmgolub1]

I want to do the same trip you did, but will bring a small V-hull and a 2hp outboard. Will I be able to get to trapper Nelsons from JD state park? Looks like there were a couple of waterfalls. GREAT video!

[@TheHavnmonkey]

as far as I know, they don't allow any motorized vessels between Riverbend park and trapper nelsons. There are a few trees that require sitting or laying on the canoe, one tree that requires climbing over, and the two dams/waterfalls. However, motorized traffic is allowed between Trapper Nelson's and JD park (yes you'll easily be able to get between the two). IMO that section is not the most scenic, nut it is still pleasant.

[@dmgolub1]

@@TheHavnmonkey Thanks for the info. I like a trip like this.

[@Flyincowrecords]

Dennis Golub you can make from Jonathan Dickinson to Trapper’s so you would go east to west, by power boat. But I would check with Jonathan Dickenson Park as rules change

[@manahilansari6894]

How did you get the kayak back to Riverbend? Or did you bring your own?

[@TheHavnmonkey]

We dropped my buddy's truck off at Jonathan Dickinson State Park before paddling so we could load the canoe onto it and drive back to Riverbend. There is a canoe/kayak/bike company at Riverbend now, they may have a shuttle service if you rent from them but I am not sure.

[@manahilansari6894]

@@TheHavnmonkey thank you for the info! I loved doing the full 8 mile trip from one end to the other and was really sad when it was closed. Happy to see it's possible again.

[@aglover360]

How far into the trip is the 2nd dam?

[@TheHavnmonkey]

I think it's about 1.5mi, but the trail is really twisty so paddling time is longer. Also, if you have to paddle back to the Riverbend launch you'll be paddling against the current. it's labeled "Masten Dam, Jupiter FL" in google maps.

[@aglover360]

@@TheHavnmonkey thank you!

[@nathanielavoures1596]

Florida whitewater

[@susanwillmore754]

Did you park at Riverbend and leave a car at Johnathan Dickinson so you didn’t have to paddle back ?

[@TheHavnmonkey]

Yes, dropped a car off at JD park then drove to Riverbend with the canoe.

[@susanwillmore754]

@@TheHavnmonkey I guess you have to, that current heading back is fierce