Finding a park in your new area after you move can be somewhat of a daunting task. There are literally hundreds of different parks to choose from in Palm Beach County! Dog parks, kid friendly parks, parks for birdwatching or sightseeing, parks that allow for plenty of sunshine, parks that allow for plenty of shade, indoor parks for bad weather days… the list goes on forever.
Whether you’re looking for a place to get some exercise with long, challenging hikes, or a place to sit and relax on a park bench or grass, we’ve done the research necessary for you to make an intelligent, informed decision on which parks in the Palm Beach County area you need to visit. Should you feel like bringing the whole family or children to a beautiful picnic spot, we’ve got you covered. Maybe you and the coworkers want to shoot hoops after work to blow off some serious steam – we’ve got you. Seriously, we’ve reviewed them all and selected the best parks to share. The best part of this list? It doesn’t matter what time of year it is; the best parks in Palm Beach County, Florida, holds up year round!
Okeeheelee Park – Palm Beach County Nature Walk, BMX Track, Dog Park, Equestrian Center, Water Skiing & Hiking
Believe it or not, there is actually even more to do than that long list in this 1700 acre park located in West Palm Beach. We’d recommend thoroughly reviewing the Okeeheelee website, which is regularly updated with additional activities and recreational events. This park has something for everybody, it seems. With some of the best bird watching, nature walking, and even public horseback riding in Florida, you can understand why it’s atop our Best Palm Beach County Parks list. The northern part of the park offers expansive water skiing lakes, a 27-hole golf course, and a BMX track, along with Pooch Pines Dog Park, 9 ballfields and 4 soccer fields. You’ll also find plenty of open grassy areas for sports activities, 8 tennis courts, and a disc golf course. Plenty of restrooms and drinking fountain areas to accompany a number of public parking areas and bus stops, too!
7500 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413 – (561) 966-6600
Mounts Botanical Gardens – Botanical Gardens Park in Palm Beach County
So you’ve probably been to a botanical garden before. Some are lackluster, some are beautiful. Some are small, some are seemingly unending with very little shade. What we can promise is that you’ve never experienced a botanical garden spot like this park in Palm Beach County. Complete with a beautiful dry stream bed to wander through, tall pines to provide ample shade, a relaxing garden of tranquility to hang out and read in, and a tropical foliage walk, there simply isn’t a more beautiful park in all of Palm Beach County. Visitors to this 16 acre oasis will see a collection of 25 display gardens containing more than 6,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants, including Florida native plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, ornamentals, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, succulents, and bromeliads. Enjoy the koi pond!
559 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415 – (561) 233-1757
Sugar Sand Park – Best Children’s Park in Palm Beach County
Without a doubt, Sugar Sand Park is more than just your average park; It’s an attraction. Children can spend literally all day playing on the gigantic wooden playground, making new friends at the community center while indulging in one of the many programs and public events, learning at the science explorium, or just enjoying a nice carousel ride. There is plenty for adults to do as well, of course, including a gym and numerous nature trails.. The Willow Theatre, nestled inside Sugar Sand Park in the heart of Boca Raton, provides a unique theater experience giving a 155 seat audience a close-up view of professional entertainment at its best. There are a number of shows throughout the year that have landed this Palm Beach County park on our list!
300 S Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33486 – (561) 347-3900
Grassy Waters Preserve – Best Hiking in Palm Beach County
We would be remiss if we left off the park that had the best hiking trails in all of Palm Beach County. The Grassy Waters Preserve is a nature preserve home to hundreds of animal species and a half dozen walking trails. The trails are owned by the city of West Palm Beach and meticulously maintained in a joint effort by the City of West Palm Beach and the Palm Beach County parks and recreations departments. Volunteers are welcome to help keep the world-renowned hiking trails in pristine condition so that everybody can continue to come observe the best of the best that the marshlands have to offer. Apoxee Wilderness Trail is a top ranked activity in the area!
8264 Northlake Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Fl 33412 – (561) 804-4985
Dreher Park – Dog Park in Palm Beach County
Dreher Park is the perfect little getaway for you and your pooch to get some exercise together, improve your special bond, or to meet some other friendly canines. The park has off street parking, plenty of space, and even a drinking fountain area for both man and man’s best friend. The nice thing about Dreher is it’s not just a dog park. The science center is a wonderful place to spend a few hours with young children, and there are lots of animals and ways to interact with them. There is a nectar sanctuary for the birds and there is food for the fish, plus staff available with information and guidance. Consider blocking off a whole day here; some time for your doggies and some time for the family!
5701 Dreher Trail S, West Palm Beach, FL 33405 – (561) 804-4900
McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary – Best Zoo in Palm Beach County
There can only be one zoo on this list, but honorable mention to Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society! Check that place out, too. McCarthy’s Wildlife has an astounding 200 different animals within their walls, fences, cages, and waterways! They “rescue a wide variety of local wildlife from all sorts of situations and work with local wildlife officials to aid in their rescue and rehabilitation.” The interesting thing about McCarthy’s: They actually release many of the rehabilitated animals back into the wild! The only way to visit McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary is by guided tour. So make sure you call ahead or book online because space is limited and sometimes the tours are booked months in advance! Pricing is $40.00 per adult and $30.00 per child, so it’s definitely the most expensive park on the list but if you want an educational, fun, and immersive experience, there is nothing better.
12943 61st St. North, West Palm Beach, FL 33412 – (561) 790-2116
Launch Trampoline Park – Extreme Air Park in Palm Beach County
Normally when we think of parks we think of outdoor recreation spaces. But when the weather is not cooperating for a day at an outdoor park or playground, why not consider an indoor park that helps you (and the kids!) burn some energy? Extreme air parks aren’t only for children. Most of them have areas taylormade for young kids, adolescents, teenagers, and full blown adults. As a general rule, the older you are, the more talented you are and greater difficulty you can handle. Launch Trampoline Park is no different. With very reasonable rates for south Florida, Launch Trampoline Park sees thousands of happy customers every month. You can hold private events, birthday parties, competitions, or just come visit solo if you’d like. There are obviously injury concerns so please don’t try to experience the attractions without proper training, experience, and guidance, but this is one park that’s more unique than any of the others on the list and the perfect way to spend a rainy day!
4340 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 – (561) 544-7924
Palm Beach County Parks Map
There isn’t another county in all of Florida that has a more impressive list or variety of parks than those that are located in Palm Beach County. While we gave you a nice taste of the best parks in Palm Beach County, there are certainly others to consider. It’s not like these seven are the only ones you should visit! Check out the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens if you’re into history and art, stop by Crazy Games Jungle Gym and Indoor Playground if you’re trying to find something to do with the kids on a rainy day, or spend a day biking the trails at Hungryland Slough Natural Area.
Also, ask the locals about some of the other parks that will allow for fishermen, hikers, sports enthusiasts, bird watchers, photographers, canoers, kayakers, and even boaters! With over triple digits of park options in the county, there is sure to be something for everybody, all year-round! When you’re ready to move to the area,, call the best Palm Beach County movers at Meehan’s Family Moving for a reliable and stress-free experience: 561-904-6000.
