Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is one of South Florida’s easiest ways to experience the Everglades without committing to a full-day backcountry expedition. The refuge spreads across western Palm Beach County, with three separate public access areas: Headquarters on Lee Road near Boynton Beach, Hillsboro near Parkland, and 20 Mile Bend near Loxahatchee. Each leads to a different style of outing, from a short nature stop to a serious levee ride or paddle.
Entrance passes: what to buy and where
Loxahatchee is a federal fee area, so visitors need an entrance pass. The current vehicle rate is $10 for a daily pass or $25 for an annual refuge pass; either covers the signed pass-holder and accompanying passengers in one private, non-commercial vehicle. A Federal Duck Stamp and qualifying America the Beautiful interagency passes are also accepted.
Buy a pass at the visitor center during its 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours, at a self-pay station at any of the three entrances, or online before leaving home. Put a physical pass on the dashboard; if using a digital pass, save and print the confirmation if possible, since cell service can be unreliable deeper into the refuge. Visitors arriving on foot, bicycle or horseback do not pay an entrance fee. Check current details before you go, since fees and designated fee-free days can change.
Pick the right entrance
- Headquarters Area, Lee Road: This is the best first visit and the most developed access point. Enter the full address, 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, into navigation rather than relying on a shortened place name. Here you’ll find the visitor center, restrooms, the Lee Road boat ramp, Marsh Trail, A- and C-impoundment levee routes, wildlife-viewing infrastructure and the Canoe Trail launch. The Headquarters outdoor area is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Hillsboro Area: This western Parkland/Boca Raton-side entrance is a practical launch point for the perimeter canal and Perimeter Levee Trail. It is open 24 hours. Road construction has created a signed detour to the ramps from US-441 via Holmberg Road, University Drive and State Road 827/Loxahatchee Road; allow extra driving time and confirm the latest approach before departure.
- 20 Mile Bend Area: Near Loxahatchee, this is another 24-hour entrance for the perimeter canal, boat ramps and Perimeter Levee. It is a useful alternative for visitors coming from the west or north and for those who want fewer visitor-center stops and more open marsh-country mileage.
Cypress Swamp Boardwalk and easy walks
Behind the Headquarters visitor center, the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk is normally a lovely, mostly flat 0.36-mile loop through the refuge’s cypress habitat. It is suitable for wheelchairs, though its wooden surface can be slick after rain. Important current note: the refuge lists the boardwalk as closed until further notice as of October 2026. Do not make it the centerpiece of a same-day plan without checking the refuge alerts first.
When it is open, the boardwalk is a fine quick stop; when it is not, choose the nearby 0.96-mile Marsh Trail loop for a short walk beside canals and wetlands. The trail is mostly level, with gravel and grass underfoot, and is open to walkers and bicyclists. Pets are not allowed at the visitor center, boardwalk, Lee Road or the A, B and C impoundments.
Levee trails: the best choice for distance
The impoundment trails at Headquarters are broad, flat maintenance roads rather than shaded woodland paths. The C-impoundment network has 6.85 miles of routes, while A-impoundment segments add 3.3 miles. They suit walking and biking, and a hybrid or mountain bike is more comfortable than skinny road tires on shell rock, gravel, grass and occasional muddy spots.
For a bigger outing, use the Perimeter Levee Trail from any of the three boat-ramp parking areas. About 36 miles of the roughly 58-mile perimeter levee are open to trail users, including an 11-mile stretch north from Lee Road, 12.6 miles south from Lee Road to Hillsboro, and 12.7 miles northwest from Hillsboro. This is the refuge’s only trail where leashed dogs and horseback riding are permitted. Bring sun protection, plenty of water and a large insulated water bottle; there is little shade once you leave the Headquarters area.
Canoe Trail logistics
The signature 5.5-mile Canoe Trail begins at the Lee Road boat ramp. It is a marked, self-guided loop through wet prairie, sawgrass, sloughs and tree islands, with mile markers and a rest station about halfway around. Allow three to five hours, depending on wind, water conditions, wildlife stops and your paddling pace.
Bring your own non-motorized canoe or kayak, or arrange a rental at the Lee Road ramp. Every vessel on the Canoe Trail must fly a 10-by-12-inch orange flag at least 10 feet above the waterline, so add an orange canoe safety flag to your packing list. Motorized watercraft are prohibited on the trail. Wear a properly fitted life jacket, carry water and sun protection, and never swim; alligators, snakes, sudden storms and changing water levels are normal Everglades conditions.
Practical takeaway: For a first visit, start at Headquarters early, confirm the boardwalk status, buy your pass before setting out, and choose either a short Marsh Trail walk or the Canoe Trail—not both—so you have time to enjoy the refuge at an unhurried pace.
