Skip to main content
Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Main Menu

  • Plan your visit
    • Accessibility
    • FAQs
    • Fees
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Camping & Lodging
    • Outdoor Florida
  • Find a Park
  • Learn
    • Newsletter
  • Resources
  • Experiences & Amenities
    • Educational Opportunities
    • Programs
    • Research & Collecting
  • Events
  • Get Involved
    • Doing Business with Parks
    • Work for Us
  • Search
  • Camping & Lodging
  • Shop

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Find a Park
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

A Barrier island paradise protecting rare plant and animal habitats offers the perfect beach getaway

No Kayak Rentals or launching on March 2, 2019

On the day of March 2, 2019, there will be no kayak rentals available or launching of a kayak from the public kayak launch, due to the Park's NatureScaping event.

Hours

8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year

Fees

$5 per vehicle

See all Fees

Location

10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive
North Palm Beach FL 33408

Get directions

Contact Info

561-624-6950

Park Menu

  • Hours & Fees
  • Experiences & Amenities
  • Park Events
  • History
Download Park Map

Welcome to John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

A unique mixture of coastal and tropical hammock and mangrove forest, this barrier island provides a haven for several rare or endangered native tropical and coastal plant species.

The park's nature center shows visitors why the park is a biological treasure. Visitors can swim, picnic and surf at the beach; snorkeling is also a popular activity. Birdwatchers may see herons, brown pelicans, terns, sandpipers and gulls. Anglers can fish in the lagoon by wading or kayaking. Additionally, visitors can fish from non-swimming areas of the beach.

Plan Your Visit

Manager's Message John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Learn

Manager's Message

As we move into the cooler months here at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, many of our Park activities really begin to heat up. One of the things you’ll quickly realize when you visit us this time of year is that we humans are not the only ones who appreciate the slightly cooler temperatures.
This is a photo of two kayaks on Munyon Island.
Learn

Munyon Island

The Island was originally called Nuctsachoo by the Seminoles, which means Pelican Island and it reportedly supported one of the largest wading bird rookeries in South Florida.
Photo of kayaking in the estuary at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Learn

Kayaking at MacArthur Beach

Kayaking at MacArthur Beach State Park provides visitors with a unique experience. Paddle around the estuary or travel under Burnt Bridge into the Lake Worth Lagoon and visit Munyon Island – an outlying part of the park with a rich history.

Experiences

Bicycling
Bicycling
Birding
Birding
Boating
Boating
Camping, Primitive Group
Camping, Primitive Group
Fishing
Fishing
Geo-Seeking
Geo-Seeking
Hiking
Hiking
Paddling
Paddling
Picnicking
Picnicking
Roller Blading
Roller Blading
Shelling
Shelling
Snorkeling
Snorkeling
Swimming
Swimming
Walking and Running
Walking and Running
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Amphitheater
Amphitheater
Beach
Beach
Canoe Kayak Launch
Canoe Kayak Launch
Interpretive Exhibit
Interpretive Exhibit
Nature Trail
Nature Trail
Parking
Parking
Picnic Pavilion
Picnic Pavilion
Playground
Playground
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities
Shower Station
Shower Station
Visitor Center
Visitor Center

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park Photo Gallery

Beach Clean up at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Bluegrass at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Hatch-lings at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Kayak Tour at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Visitors at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, in North Palm Beach

Close
Information
Roseate Spoonbills feeding in the park's estuary.
Sunset over the Park's estuary at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Railroad vine blooming with pink flowers.
This is a photo of a leatherback hatchling entering the ocean.
Learn

Sea Turtle Nesting

It has been a very busy nesting season for sea turtles at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.
MacArthur Beach Trail
Learn

Nature Trails of MacArthur Beach

Take a journey into the past and experience Florida's enchanting subtropical flora at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.

Upcoming Events

See More Events
Event

Naturescaping An Outdoor Festival

Sat, Mar 2, 2019 10:00 am - 3:00 pm EST

Join us for a day of family fun celebrating the great outdoors! There will be live music, native plant vendors, live animal shows, children's programs, guest speakers, kayaking, food trucks and lots of fun.
MacArthur Beach

North Palm Beach, FL

Event

Learn To Kayak

Sun, Mar 3, 2019 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST

This is a land-based course to provide beginners the skills necessary for kayaking.
MacArthur Beach

North Palm Beach, FL

Event

Beach Cleanup

Sat, Mar 9, 2019 9:00 am - 11:00 am EST

Join us for a few hours of sun and surf and help keep the park clean. Beach cleanups help remove trash which might otherwise end up endangering sea turtles or shorebirds.
MacArthur Beach

North Palm Beach, FL

People Make the Parks

This is a photo of Park employee, Chandler Keenan

Staff Spotlight

Chandler Keenan’s first trip to John D MacArthur Beach State Park was love at first sight. The sun was setting low over the dune line, great blue herons were silhouetted against a coral sky, and she knew she was home.
This is a photo of volunteer, Bruce Kay.

Volunteer Spotlight

When volunteer, Bruce Kay, returned to the Lake Park area in 2002 the first thing he did was become a volunteer at MacArthur Beach State Park.
Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park

Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park

Friends Groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. They share one thing in common – passion for parks.

This Park is Recognized by:

Designated Greenway
Great Florida Birding Trail

Park Map

More Places You Might Like

See all parks
Large tree surrounding picnic tables

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, this peaceful sanctuary offers visitors a slice of coastal wilderness within this vibrant city. Ft. Lauderdale’s “Central Park” was gifted to the city by Hugh Taylor Birch for whom this urban oasis is named.

3109 East Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderale FL 33304

Big Talbot Island

Big Talbot Island State Park

Located on one of Northeast Florida's unique sea islands, Big Talbot Island State Park is primarily a natural preserve providing a premier location for nature study, bird-watching and photography.

State Road A1A North
Jacksonville FL 32226

Bridge at Cross Florida Greenway

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

Occupying more than 70,000 acres of land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal, the Greenway is a 110-mile linear park that is more than a mile wide in places. It hosts more than 300 miles of trails of all types—paddling, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian and paved multi-use.

8282 SE Highway 314
Ocala FL 34470

Florida State Parks

Main Menu

  • Plan your visit
    • Accessibility
    • FAQs
    • Fees
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Camping & Lodging
    • Outdoor Florida
  • Find a Park
  • Learn
    • Newsletter
  • Resources
  • Experiences & Amenities
    • Educational Opportunities
    • Programs
    • Research & Collecting
  • Events
  • Get Involved
    • Doing Business with Parks
    • Work for Us
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Visit Florida

Have Questions?

Contact the Statewide Information Line:
(850) 245-2157

Or send an email to:
FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • You Tube
© Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Login