Best Outdoor Activities in West Palm Beach, FL

The weather in West Palm Beach, Florida, is beautiful year-round, making it ideal for outdoor activities. From parks and gardens to zoos and beaches, visitors and locals of all ages can find things to do outside in and around the area. You have many options if you want to take in the local scenery or do something fun with the family that gets everyone out of the house. Here’s a list of some of our favorite outdoor spots in the area to help you plan your next adventure.

Winding Waters Natural Area

Location: Off Dyer Boulevard, half a mile west of Haverhill Road in West Palm Beach

Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset

You won’t find natural beauty like the Winding Water Natural Area anywhere else in West Palm Beach. The area encompasses 548 acres of mesic flatwoods, hydric hammock, depression marsh, wet prairie, and dome swamp. In what was once agricultural land, you can now see an abundance of wildlife, including incredible bird species such as bald eagles, anhingas, green herons, belted kingfishers, wood storks, roseate spoonbills, and loggerhead shrikes, to name a few. There are several hiking trails throughout the park, and you can bring your canoe or kayak to explore the water trail.

Rapids Water Park

Location: 6566 N. Military Trail, Riviera Beach

Hours: From Memorial Day weekend through the first week of August, the park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Rapids Water Park is an exciting place to spend a day outside with the entire family. You’ll find various types of attractions, such as thrill rides, family-friendly rides, and rides suitable for young children. Several allow for multiple riders, including Big Thunder, Big Red, and Raging Rapids. The FlowRider allows you to showcase your bodyboarding abilities on waves that remain constant and in a fixed location. Race your friends and family on the Rapid Racer slide, with room for up to six people to ride at once.

When you’re ready to eat or get a refreshment, stop by one of the several food locations:

• Slush Factory.
• Pelican Pete’s Cafe and Tiki Bar.
• Kayak Jacks.
• Hide Tide Tiki Bar.
• Big Surf Cafe.

Ocean Reef Park

Location: 3860 N. Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach

Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset

Whether you go for the excellent saltwater fishing or a romantic picnic, Ocean Reef Park is the ideal location to bask in the fresh air and sunshine. This 12.62-acre park is rarely crowded and offers beach access with a guarded swimming area, a dune overlook area, single picnic tables with grills, a picnic pavilion rental, and a playground. There’s a parking area for visitors, and the boardwalk path to the beach makes for a pleasant walk. You can use the outdoor showers to rinse off before you head home.

Mounts Botanical Garden

Location: 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach

Hours: June through October hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, changing to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through May

Another incredible location for spending time outside in West Palm Beach is Mounts Botanical Garden. This is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden, spanning 20 acres and containing more than 7,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants. Explore the 25 gardens where you’ll find more than native Florida plants. Sit in the Garden of Tranquility to meditate and find peace. Check out what’s in bloom in the Rose and Fragrance Garden for a delightful stroll. Learn about medicinal plants in the Herb Garden of Well-Being. Get a membership for free year-round admission to Mounts Botanical Garden and many of its special events.

Peanut Island Park

Location: Intracoastal waterway, near the Lake Worth Inlet, Riviera Beach

Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset

You can only access Peanut Island Park by boat, but it’s worth exploring. Not only do you get to enjoy a lovely boat ride to the island, but you’ll also get to see a unique area that’s been in development since 1918. Initially, the island was a 10-acre space designated for depositing the dredged material produced while creating Lake Worth Inlet. Today, Peanut Island comprises 80 acres, and the island’s perimeter is available to the public as a park. The rest of the island is a spoil site for maintaining the inlet and the shipping channel.

Palm Beach Zoo

Location: 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach

Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Animal and outdoor enthusiasts alike will love spending time at the Palm Beach Zoo. Wander through four distinct habitats: Asia, The Islands, The Florida Wetlands, and The Tropics of the Americas. Walking through the Asia exhibit, you’ll encounter species such as llamas, howler monkeys, and red-crowned cranes. In The Islands, you might see lemurs playing on Lemur Island or a sloth chomping on some sticks. Visit The Florida Wetlands to view native species that are hard to spot in the wild, including black bears, panthers, and gopher tortoises.

A giant anteater, an African crested porcupine, Baird’s tapir, squirrel monkeys, and more await you in The Tropics of the Americas exhibit. This area also has the zoo’s restaurant, Latitude 26, where you can grab a bite. Next door is a gift shop, so you can shop for souvenirs after you eat.

Public Beach Access

Location: Several access points along North and South Ocean Boulevards

Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset

You can find several public beach access points along both North and South Ocean Boulevards. You may have to park in a nearby parking lot for an hourly fee and walk a block or two to get to one of West Palm Beach’s pristine, fabulous beaches, but it will be worth it. You’ll be treated to soft sand, blue water, and beautiful views as you relax or play in the waves.

Get Outside in West Palm Beach

We hope you can go out and enjoy some of these local outdoor activities. If you have any suggestions for other fresh air destinations in West Palm Beach, drop us a line and let us know so we can check them out for ourselves.

aerial photography of doc and island during daytime by Shawn Henley is licensed with Unsplash License