Bird's eye view of the park

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) is part of the
Bureau of Land Management’s 27-million acre National Conservation Lands; and
the only complete unit east of the Mississippi River. In close proximity to
several million people, and embedded in Florida’s urbanized Treasure Coast,
the 120-acre site in northern Palm Beach County is so recognized for its
remarkable array of natural and cultural resources. Its location at the
confluence of the Loxahatchee River and Indian River Lagoon, just one and a
half miles from the Atlantic Ocean, has made the site a popular and strategic
site of human occupation for the past 5,000 years. The ONA designation was
established by Congress primarily to protect natural, historic and cultural
resources along with scenic, scientific, education and recreational values..
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA is one of three sites afforded this
designation. Congress established Oregon’s Yaquina Head in 1980; the Jupiter
Inlet Lighthouse and the Piedras Blancas Light Station in California were
established in May of 2008.Besides visiting the historic Jupiter Inlet
Lighthouse, the ONA offers a variety of other visitor experiences. Take a
gentle walk along a hardened trail and boardwalk though native and restored
Florida coastal habitats, or participate in exciting interpretive programs
regarding the site’s unique military history and its important role in World
War II.

The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) is part of the Bureau of Land Management’s 27-million acre National Conservation Lands; and the only complete unit east of the Mississippi River.  In close proximity to several million people, and embedded in Florida’s urbanized Treasure Coast, the 120-acre site in northern Palm Beach County is so recognized for its remarkable array of natural and cultural resources.  Its location at the confluence of the Loxahatchee River and Indian River Lagoon, just one and a half miles from the Atlantic Ocean, has made the site a popular and strategic site of human occupation for the past 5,000 years.  The ONA designation was established by Congress primarily to protect natural, historic and cultural resources along with scenic, scientific, education and recreational values..  The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA is one of three sites afforded this designation.  Congress established Oregon’s Yaquina Head in 1980; the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and the Piedras Blancas Light Station in California were established in May of 2008.Besides visiting the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, the ONA offers a variety of other visitor experiences. Take a gentle walk along a hardened trail and boardwalk though native and restored Florida coastal habitats, or participate in exciting interpretive programs regarding the site’s unique military history and its important role in World War II.

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Bird's eye view of the campground

Cabin Loop

Loop PG

Loop RC

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge contains the largest
contiguous section of undeveloped beach in Southeastern Florida and is
considered one of the most productive sea turtle nesting areas in the
Southeastern United States. The Refuge is a sanctuary for nearly 40 species
listed as either threatened, endangered, or of special concern. It is an oasis
for people who wish to experience what the early days of Florida must have
been like. This biodiversity is supported by a large remnant of sand pine
scrub, nearly 10 miles of mangrove communities along the Indian River Lagoon,
and 3.5 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach. The beauty and uniqueness of Nathaniel
P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge inspires others to protect our
wild places for future generations.

Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 565
refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System - a network of lands set aside
and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife.
The area consists of 1,091 acres, bisected by the Indian River Lagoon into two
tracts: the Jupiter Island tract and the mainland tract. On Jupiter Island,
the Refuge contains the largest contiguous section of undeveloped beach in
Southeastern Florida and is considered one of the most productive sea turtle
nesting areas in the Southeastern United States. The mainland tract contains
one of the few remaining publicly owned sand pine scrub communities. This
community type is important to the Refuge because it is where the majority of
the Refuge’s listed species reside. The Indian River Lagoon and its associated
mangrove communities are also important because they provide habitat for over
2,200 animals and 2,100 plants, supporting Florida’s fisheries. In general,
our management strategy is to create and maintain an ideal environment for
native flora and fauna to flourish.  
  
**Goals**

  * Restore and conserve diverse habitats, species populations, and biological integrity. 
  * Conserve natural and cultural resources through partnerships, protection, and land acquisition. 
  * Develop appropriate and compatible wildlife-dependent recreation, environmental education, and interpretive programs that lead to enjoyable experiences and a greater understanding of fish, wildlife and habitat conservation by the public. 

**Establishment**  
Early in the 20th century, the rush to develop Florida resulted in a great
loss of native habitats. However, this Refuge’s very existence was born out of
the vision of conservation-minded Jupiter Island residents. This included the
Joseph V. Reed family who conveyed lands to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
in 1969 primarily for the conservation of species and the preservation of
undeveloped vistas.  
  
**Cultural Resources**  
The Tequesta, Ais, and Jaega native tribes were hunter-gatherers of Jupiter
Island and the surrounding area during the 18th century when the Europeans
arrived. Hobe Sound’s name derived from the Jaega, or the “Jobe” native
people. The diverse array of plants on the Refuge were used by early people as
food, medicine, and tools. For instance, “chickee” huts were built with a
hardwood frame and a saw palmetto thatched roof like the one pictured that
sits behind the Refuge headquarters.

Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge contains the largest contiguous section of undeveloped beach in Southeastern Florida and is considered one of the most productive sea turtle nesting areas in the Southeastern United States. The Refuge is a sanctuary for nearly 40 species listed as either threatened, endangered, or of special concern. It is an oasis for people who wish to experience what the early days of Florida must have been like. This biodiversity is supported by a large remnant of sand pine scrub, nearly 10 miles of mangrove communities along the Indian River Lagoon, and 3.5 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach. The beauty and uniqueness of Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge inspires others to protect our wild places for future generations.Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 565 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System - a network of lands set aside and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. The area consists of 1,091 acres, bisected by the Indian River Lagoon into two tracts: the Jupiter Island tract and the mainland tract. On Jupiter Island, the Refuge contains the largest contiguous section of undeveloped beach in Southeastern Florida and is considered one of the most productive sea turtle nesting areas in the Southeastern United States. The mainland tract contains one of the few remaining publicly owned sand pine scrub communities. This community type is important to the Refuge because it is where the majority of the Refuge’s listed species reside. The Indian River Lagoon and its associated mangrove communities are also important because they provide habitat for over 2,200 animals and 2,100 plants, supporting Florida’s fisheries. In general, our management strategy is to create and maintain an ideal environment for native flora and fauna to flourish. Goals<ul><li>Restore and conserve diverse habitats, species populations, and biological integrity. </li><li>Conserve natural and cultural resources through partnerships, protection, and land acquisition. </li><li>Develop appropriate and compatible wildlife-dependent recreation, environmental education, and interpretive programs that lead to enjoyable experiences and a greater understanding of fish, wildlife and habitat conservation by the public. </li></ul> Establishment Early in the 20th century, the rush to develop Florida resulted in a great loss of native habitats. However, this Refuge’s very existence was born out of the vision of conservation-minded Jupiter Island residents. This included the Joseph V. Reed family who conveyed lands to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1969 primarily for the conservation of species and the preservation of undeveloped vistas. Cultural Resources The Tequesta, Ais, and Jaega native tribes were hunter-gatherers of Jupiter Island and the surrounding area during the 18th century when the Europeans arrived. Hobe Sound’s name derived from the Jaega, or the “Jobe” native people. The diverse array of plants on the Refuge were used by early people as food, medicine, and tools. For instance, “chickee” huts were built with a hardwood frame and a saw palmetto thatched roof like the one pictured that sits behind the Refuge headquarters.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

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Nearby Parks

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge