Juno Dunes Natural Area — Attraction in Juno Beach

This a huge 576 acre preserve between the Atlantic Ocean and the intracoastal waterway. There are two looping trails that run through it Juno East and Juno West. On my visit I hiked the .6 mile east trail that I picked up from the parking lot behind the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. The paved path wound through the tropical hammock and coastal scrub. By keeping to the right I was able to follow it up the hill to one of the highest points of elevation in Palm Beach at 44 feet above sea level. An observation pavilion at the top gave a view of the western dunes and the Atlantic ocean below. From there the path went down before an unpaved portion finally ended at A1A where you can cross over the road to a boardwalk that takes you down to the beach. Families can combine this hike with a visit to the nearby Loggerhead Marine Life center, playground, and beach making for an inexpensive and...

Beautifully maintained natural area. Concrete sidewalk covers the first section of the wildlife walk. Watch out for wildlife and Cactus that might be a little too close as you meander the pathway. Various signs of wildlife will be evident so watch your step and be careful. A small covered lookout gives you a break before you enter the sand trail part of the journey, a few benches give some rest. The trail wanders up and down but is easy to traverse. You don't need boots but avoid flip flops because the Cactus can surprise you when you least expect. Parking is limited to say the least, try a weekday if you can. Great walk for kids and adults to experience the outdoors...

Having lived in Juno Isles from ~'85-'88, from our home on Ascott, a short walk around the corner opened an access into this stunning environment. As often as I could, I'd hike this dunes area, accompanied sometimes by my then 6-yr-old daughter. We delighted in the terrain, the flora--native oaks, "air plants," and the occasional Sabal palmetto along with a pine forest where lived a camper who'd pitched a tent--and fauna that included gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, scrub jays, foxes, etc. I am grateful to the county for preserving what I always was the last southern-most tract of native scrub on...