Apoxee Trail - West Palm Beach, FL
Apoxee Trail — Dog-Friendly Trails in West Palm Beach, Florida
Discover one of the most unique outdoor experiences at Apoxee Trail, located in West Palm Beach, FL. This lush, pet-friendly hiking destination offers a true slice of nature, featuring extensive wetlands, wooded paths, boardwalks, and well-marked hiking and biking trails. Apoxee Trail is renowned for its scenic beauty, abundant wildlife including birds, turtles, and even alligators, and the peaceful, uncrowded environment that feels miles away from the city, despite its convenient location.
Dog owners will appreciate the walking and hiking opportunities here, making it a favorite for those seeking dog-friendly trails in Palm Beach County. The park features paved and natural-surface paths, shaded spots under the trees, benches for resting, and a covered shelter along the boardwalk perfect for taking in sunset views. While there isn’t a fenced dog park area, Apoxee Trail is a great spot for leashed outdoor adventures with your pup. Parking is primarily roadside and can be limited, so plan accordingly. Please come prepared, as water fountains for dogs are not available on site.
FAQ for Apoxee Trail Dog Owners
- What are the park’s leash requirements? Dogs must be kept on leash while enjoying the trails.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there are shaded paths and a covered shelter along the boardwalk with benches.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, benches are provided along the trail for resting.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Portable toilets are available at the entrance.
- Where is the best place to park? Parking is available along the side of the street near the entrance, but spots can be limited during busy times.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Apoxee Trail offers miles of interconnected hiking and biking trails, with access to longer loops like the Owahee Trail.
- Is the park open year-round? The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, although it may close temporarily after heavy rainfall due to flooding.
- Is there a swimming area or pond for dogs? There are lakes and wetlands throughout the park, but due to the frequent presence of alligators, swimming is not recommended.
- Is there shade? There is some shade along the wooded areas and boardwalk, but some sections of the trail are fully exposed to the sun.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Most reviews mention that the park is well maintained and inviting.
Reviews
Absolutely beautiful park, would definitely recommend. Not sure if it actually closes at 6PM however, I think it’s closer to sunset. I’ve stayed a little past 6PM and the gate was still open with other people there as well.
What s beautiful trail to walk through! I’ve always lived nearby and finally decided to give it a try.
Everyone on the trail was extremely friendly and the paths were very clear on where to go. I’m definitely coming back.
Such a beautiful park that I didn’t even know was this close to me. Loved how rugged the trail was and how much foliage and trees were around. The trails weren’t perfect but I love that. Some of the wooden walkways were really dilapidated and need repairing so we were very careful when walking on them. Saw so many cranes and other birds. I’ll definitely be back.
What I love about living in the SW area of Greater West Palm Beach is the abundance of parks and wilderness areas that you can enjoy.
The Apoxee Trail is one of the “wilderness urban areas”, which I find amazing: when visiting these areas (and big parks) you would think you are far away from civilization, when in fact you don’t have to drive for hours to enjoy some open, green and wild places!
I knew of this trail for many years because I used to drive by the entrance in my daily commutes to work, but only recently we finally visited it.
This trail is “wild” from the very start: there is only a small street bringing you to the entrance and back to Jog Rd, and no parking lot – you will have to park on the side of the street, and depending on the time and the day, you may find it challenging to find a free spot. The park however is so big that it will rarely be crowded!
At the entrance of the Apoxee Trail there is also a ¼ mile paved trail, which we checked out before continuing our walk into the park. This trail is very easy and all in the wood’s shade.
The trail runs on wetlands through boardwalks and natural surfaces in the woods: such surfaces are of course not even, so watch out for roots and stones when walking.
It is an extremely peaceful walk where you’ll make several stops for wildlife observation (bring your binoculars!), as well for letting through people on bikes.
At the end of the Apoxee Trail you can either go back the same way, or continue your walk/ride on the outer loop (called Owahee Trail) before reconnecting with the second part of the Apoxee Trail. If you do this whole trail you will walk over 4 miles.
Just so you know, the loop is all under the sun and has a stream on one side. We saw a huge alligator on the opposite side, which means… they could have been on our side too! We encountered a couple of families with kids running and playing very close to the stream, and I don’t think that’s a great idea… As for every other wilderness area, you will also need to pay extra attention to your surroundings during the alligator’s mating season (we usually just avoid going to those areas in that period).
The Trail is open every day from sunrise to sunset, but may be closed for flooding after heavy or constant rainfalls.
There are portable toilets at the entrance but no access to water, so make sure you go in properly prepared.
We will certainly go back to this trail other times!
Beautiful trail. Extremely well marked. Hours of potential hiking or biking available but there are also shorter paths. Great place to see wildlife as well! There are portions that can flood easily and some sections with minimal shade so it’s important to plan around the weather.