Okeeheelee Park is a gem in West Palm Beach, Florida. Since its inception, the park has become a great spot for exercising, family parties, and bird watching. As someone who has lived in Palm Beach County for over 9 years, I’ve been to this park hundreds of times to walk the paths and nature trails, take my dog to Pooches Pines, play pickleball on the courts, and kayak in the waters.
I’ll explain everything you need to know if you haven’t visited Okeeheelee Park yet, including its location, hours, numerous things to do outside, and the facilities.
History of Okeeheelee Park
Okeeheelee Park’s name has roots in the Seminole language, reflecting its cultural heritage and connection to the region’s indigenous people. “Okeeheelee” is believed to mean “quiet waters” or “calm waters” in Seminole, a tribute to the park’s serene lakes and tranquil surroundings.
The park’s history traces back to the mid-20th century when the idea of creating a recreational area in Palm Beach County began to take shape. In 1965, the county acquired the initial parcel of land that would later become Okeeheelee Park.
Location and Hours
Address: 7715 Forest Hill Blvd West Palm Beach, FL 33413
The park spans across 1,700 acres, with multiple bathrooms, water fountains, and shaded areas. It opens around sunrise and closes at sunset each day.
Two Units: North vs South
Okeeheelee Park is divided into two distinct units: North and South, each offering unique facilities and recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
Okeeheelee North Unit
- The North Unit of Okeeheelee Park has multiple baseball, soccer, and softball fields. Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department offers a range of adult and children’s sports leagues at Okeeheelee Park.
- There is also a BMX track, a radio-controlled airplane field, and a model boat lake.
- Shark Wake park is a more recent addition to the park for water skiing
- Palm Beach Disc Golf has a permit to operate an 18-hole disc golf course.
- Near the entrance to the park, tennis and pickleball courts are often filled to capacity, especially on the weekends.
- There are lots of covered and uncovered picnic areas with restrooms, and ample parking for events.
- Pooches Pines dog park has two large fenced-in areas, one for large and small dogs, along with a wash station for your pup.
Check out the North Loop hiking trail via AllTrails for a full map of the paths available.
Okeeheelee South Unit
- The South Unit of Okeeheelee Park is characterized by its picturesque lake, nature trails, and equestrian facilities.
- There is one main trail that meanders around the entire unit and is much more quiet and less traveled than trails in the North Unit.
- The area is home to Jim Brandon Equestrian Center which offers multiple riding arenas and hosts regional competitions.
- You can go fishing, kayaking or paddle boarding on the lake within the South Unit, with boat ramps and fishing piers available for public use.
Tip: There are usually more bugs in the South Unit (especially in the spring and summer).
Things to Do Outside at Okeeheelee Park
Okeeheelee is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, whether you’re looking to work up a sweat or give your pup some playtime. Here are some of the things you can take advantage of while at the North or South Units:
- Take a Walk on the Nature Trails
- Explore miles of scenic, paved paths that wind around the park’s facilities and lakes. Or, explore the short, wooded trails near the park’s nature center.
- Walk, jog, bike or roller blade on the paths for as long as you’d like. There are many connections so you can shorten or lengthen your hike as needed.
- There is a one mile long exercise path in the center of the North Unit. It offers 20 exercise stations with different challenges like pull up bars and areas to stretch.
- Keep an eye out for tropical birds, turtles, and possibly even alligators!
- Have a Picnic!
- Take advantage of the park’s designated picnic areas equipped with tables, grills, and shaded pavilions, perfect for a family outing or gathering with friends.
- Engage in recreational activities such as frisbee, volleyball, or simply relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
- Bring your own picnic supplies or grab a bite from nearby eateries before heading to the park for a delightful outdoor meal.
- Go Kayaking or Paddle Boarding
- Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddle board from the park’s rental facilities and paddle along the serene lakes and waterways within Okeeheelee Park.This is far more popular in the North Unit as there is a place where you can rent kayaks there.
- Anglers can cast their lines from the piers and try their luck at fishing. Don’t forget to obtain the necessary permits and follow fishing regulations for a rewarding angling experience.
- If you have a small water craft, you could take it out on the water at the South Unit.
- Saddle Up!
- Bring your horse and explore the equestrian trails that meander through the South Unit. Or, use the rings at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center as a schooling experience.
- The park has ample parking for trailers and is generally less populated. So you may even feel like you’ve got the park all to you and your horse!
- Cycling and Rollerblading:
- Okeeheelee is great for bike riding or rollerblading along the park’s paved pathways and designated trails, offering smooth surfaces.
- With wheels, you can explore the park’s expansive grounds.
- I used to go biking around Okeeheelee almost every weekend for about an hour.
- If you’re more experienced, check out Pinehurst dirt biking path.
- Golf Okeeheelee’s Course
- One of the top public golf courses in Florida.
- For over two decades, Okeeheelee Golf Course has offered 27 holes of golf amidst a serene park environment. The course is designed into three 9-hole segments, allowing players to create different 18-hole rounds with each visit.
Watch this video overview of Okeeheelee Park by the PBC Parks and Recreation Department.
