West Palm Beach runs 57 parks and facilities, plus Grassy Waters Preserve's free trails: the Cypress Boardwalk and Apoxee. Parks and Recreation: 561-804-4900.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts come from the City of West Palm Beach Parks and Facilities listing, the Grassy Waters Preserve pages and the city’s Clear Lake Trail page. Updated when the city opens or closes a park.
The city lists 57 parks and facilities, from small neighborhood playgrounds to the waterfront downtown. Its biggest green space is out west: Grassy Waters Preserve, a 23-square-mile wetland that is also the city’s drinking water supply, with free trails and a boardwalk.
Who to call
- Parks and Recreation programs and sports: 561-804-4900
- Problem in a park: Parks Maintenance, 561-822-2150
- Pavilion and facility rentals: city rentals page
- Waterfront events and Meyer Amphitheatre: Community Events, 561-822-1515
Grassy Waters Preserve
Grassy Waters is a 23-square-mile wetland of sawgrass, tree islands and hammocks that supplies fresh water to West Palm Beach and the towns of Palm Beach and South Palm Beach, according to the city’s preserve page. It was once part of the greater Everglades. Snail kites, wood storks, white ibis and great blue herons are common. The trails are free, and naturalists lead guided canoe and hiking programs.
| Entrance | Trails | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance, 8264 Northlake Blvd. | Cypress Boardwalk, Nature Center | 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday |
| Watershed Management entrance, 8537 Northlake Blvd. | Hog Hammock and Eagle trails, Gator Lake | 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily |
| Apoxee entrance, 3125 N. Jog Road | Apoxee and Owahee trails | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily |
From the city’s entrances page and trail pages:
- Cypress Boardwalk: a 1-mile round trip on a wooden boardwalk, wheelchair and stroller accessible, with shelters and restrooms. Closed on major holidays.
- Apoxee: about 2.5 miles of trail for hiking only, with a paved 0.5-mile accessible loop by the parking lot. The rest is dirt with exposed roots that floods in the rainy season. A portable toilet is at the lot; there is no drinking water. The entrance is on the west side of Jog Road, about a mile north of Okeechobee Boulevard.
Clear Lake Trail
The city opened the Clear Lake Trail in late August 2024: a 5,300-foot, 8-foot-wide multiuse trail along the western edge of Clear Lake and a 700-foot boardwalk to Okeechobee Boulevard. It gives walkers and cyclists a continuous route from Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to Okeechobee Boulevard, according to the city’s project page.
Parks worth knowing
From the city’s parks listing:
| Park | Address | What’s there |
|---|---|---|
| Dreher Park | 5701 Dreher Trail South | Dog park, disc golf course, fishing pier, multipurpose fields, pavilions, playground, walking and biking trails |
| Apoxee Park | 3125 N. Jog Road | Walking park at the Grassy Waters Apoxee entrance |
| Bill Moss Hillcrest Paseo | 3401 Parker Ave. | Splash pad, playground, multipurpose field, walking and biking trails, restrooms |
| Coleman Park and Community Center | 1116 21st St. | Renovated recreation center, gym, tennis and basketball courts, splash pad |
| Centennial Fountain, Nancy M. Graham Centennial Square | 150 N. Clematis St. | Downtown splash fountain, restrooms, seating |
| Brian H. Chappell Park | 5450 N. Flagler Drive | Fishing pier, playground |
| Chillingworth Park | 412 Erie Place | Basketball and tennis courts, playground |
| Alice Mickens Park | 701 Third St. | Playground, basketball, picnic tables |
| South Olive Park and Community Center | 345 Summa St. | Gym, playground, sports fields, paved walking trail |
| Meyer Amphitheatre | 104 Datura St. | Waterfront amphitheater for city concerts and events |
| Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center | 1501 N. Australian Ave. | City swimming pool, 561-804-4961 |
Currie Park, 2400 N. Flagler Drive, was listed in January as closed for construction apart from its tennis courts, including the boat ramps and parking lot. Check with Parks and Recreation before you tow a boat there. The city’s other public ramp is at Lake Mangonia Park.
The Palm Beach Zoo is inside Dreher Park at 1301 Summit Blvd.; it sets its own hours and admission.
The waterfront
Downtown’s waterfront along Flagler Drive is the city’s front yard: Waterfront Commons hosts the Saturday GreenMarket and Thursday’s free Clematis by Night concerts, and Meyer Amphitheatre is at 104 Datura St. The city’s City Docks page covers the Clematis Street and Fern Street docks.
What this means for you
- For a real hike, go west to Grassy Waters; the trails are free.
- Bring water to Apoxee, and expect mud after summer rain.
- Dog owners: Dreher Park.
Related: walking and biking trails, dog-friendly West Palm Beach, things to do this month, farmers markets and getting around.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best hiking trails in West Palm Beach?
The city’s Grassy Waters Preserve has free trails: the 1-mile Cypress Boardwalk off Northlake Boulevard and about 2.5 miles of Apoxee trails off Jog Road. The 5,300-foot Clear Lake Trail runs from Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to Okeechobee Boulevard.
What are the Grassy Waters Preserve hours?
The main entrance and Cypress Boardwalk, 8264 Northlake Blvd., are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Apoxee entrance, 3125 Jog Road, is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Is there a dog park in West Palm Beach?
Yes. Dreher Park, 5701 Dreher Trail South, has a dog park, along with a disc golf course, fishing pier, playground and walking and biking trails.
Does Grassy Waters charge admission?
No. The city says the preserve’s trails are open to the public free of charge.
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