John D. MacArthur Beach State Park — Attraction in North Palm Beach

This park deserves 6 Stars. My wife and I went to MacArthur Beach Park a year ago when the park was open but most facilities were closed for Covid. We walked most of the trail and a couple of miles up the beach. There was a sign that beach wheelchairs are not currently available. My 88 year old mother has been saying that she wants to go to the beach and it’s been years. We have taken her to a couple of parks where she can sit and see the water but beaches were impossible with her walker.

Upon entering the park on this trip with my wife and my mother, I asked the ranger at the entrance booth if beach wheelchairs were available. The ranger said there is a tram that could take all of us to the other side of the boardwalk where we could get the beach wheelchair. Once we parked the tram drove up and asked if we were in the blue SUV and we confirmed we were. The entrance Ranger called ahead to let them know we were going with my mother. The driver told us to wait as he turned the tram around. We got in with my mother’s walker stored on the back of the tram. He was extremely friendly and wanted my mother to enjoy the ride across the water on the boardwalk. On the other side a different ranger was waiting for us with the beach wheelchair.

My mother got into the really cool looking 3 wheel reclining wheelchair with balloon type tires. Sitting low to the ground with her feet in front of her, I started to push her up the ramp to the other side where you can see the ocean. There is a spot where the solid wood fence is lowered so you can view the ocean sitting in this lowrider wheelchair. Then we continued down the ramp to the beach. Pushing across the sand was easy. The balloon tires didn’t sink into the sand. We got to the edge of the high tide where the beach angles down steeply and parked the wheelchair there. The three of us spent the next 90 minutes looking at the ocean. It was a perfect Florida day. Cool (for Florida) bright blue sky without a cloud and small perfectly shaped waves rolling in. The beach had some people on it but they were all a little south of us so we had this area to ourselves. You could not ask for a more beautiful experience.

When we started our drive that day we were planning to go to a different park where we could sit on a park bench and see the ocean but not get near it. My wife suggested we go to MacArthur Beach. A 20 minute longer drive but thought we could walk out a little ways on the boardwalk seeing the bay. .

In the end it turned into a magical day for my mother and us. We felt like VIPs. Everyone seemed excited to help us make it a great outing. The helpfulness and friendliness was well above anything we could have expected. I regret not getting the names of everyone who helped us to give them a well deserved call out. I hope they see this and understand how much they made this an amazing experience to get my mother onto the beach which had been her...

We visited on a late Saturday morning in late December 2024. We were lucky and got a parking spot pretty close to the Nature Center.

We wanted to do the beach first and check out the Nature Center later. So we carried all our stuff across the long boardwalk. We did end up passing the tram on the way there. It wasn't a terrible walk and the weather we a bit chilly actually. This may be different in the summer time. We did see a couple kayakers in the water and the views from the boardwalk were fantastic. There are shaded stopping points along the way incase you need to take a break.

When you reach the other side there is a intricate weave of boardwalks and ramp platforms. This is great for accessibility. They had pretty rustic bathrooms and shower stations. One of the shower stations on the lower deck was closed when we visited. Not sure what the problem was.

You have to go up and over to the beach side. There were very few people and it was very windy. The kids wanted to try and do some snorkeling but with the wind and waves they did not have much luck. Low visibility and not being able to stay still. We were told later by some staff that you had to go a little further out to actually see anything snorkeling.

We gave up after about 30 mins of the wind and chilly temperatures. There were maybe 5 or 6 other groups on the beach at the time. I think our kids were the only ones really in the water.

On the way back the kids were rinsing off at the station when the tram pulled up and the lovely lady waited for us to wrangle everyone. It was a fun ride back and the tram could hold maybe 6 or 7 people not including the driver. We had all our beach gear with us and it was perfect for our family of 5. She offered to take us to parking lot but we still wanted to visit the nature center.

The nature center was actually really nice inside. Way better than what we were expecting. It was a little on the darker side with lighting but still very cool. Lots of interactive exhibits and live animals. There is also a theater but if I remember correctly the audio system was not working right and we had to listen to the film through the project's built-in speaker instead of through the larger ones in the room.

Just outside the nature center is the Beach Outfitters & Gift Shop which has merch for sale as well. This is where your check-in or book excursions/rentals etc. Right outside of the shop was a sea turtle tank with a baby sea turtle. Apparently it's very rare to have a facility that is certified to house sea turtles. A staff member engaged with the kids about the tank.

We would 100% visit again. Maybe a different season or if it was just warmer and less windy outside. This was one of our favorite Florida...

My boyfriend and I visited John D. MacArthur Beach State Park for the first time the other day and it was an experience beyond our wildest dreams. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the park's natural beauty and serene atmosphere.

The park is a true gem, offering a perfect blend of lush subtropical coastal habitats and pristine beaches. One of the most memorable parts of our visit was the walk across the stunning boardwalk bridge that leads to the beach. This long, picturesque bridge stretches over a beautiful estuary, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding mangroves and waterways. As we strolled along, we felt completely immersed in nature, with the gentle sounds of birds and the rustling of leaves adding to the tranquility.

We spent the day exploring the scenic trails, which provided more breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding nature. The beach itself was immaculate, with soft, white sand and crystal-clear waters that were perfect for a refreshing swim.

One of the highlights of our visit was the incredible wildlife. We were lucky enough to spot a variety of birds and even a manatee during our kayaking adventure. The park's staff were friendly and knowledgeable, making our experience even more enjoyable with their helpful tips and insights.

The facilities were top-notch, with clean restrooms and convenient picnic areas where we enjoyed a lovely lunch surrounded by nature. The nature center was also a fantastic addition, offering educational exhibits that enhanced our appreciation for the park's unique ecosystem.

Overall, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park exceeded all our expectations. It's a must-visit destination for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in the beauty of Florida's natural landscape. We can't wait to return and create more wonderful memories at this...