Back to Natural Areas List

Palm Beach County's Natural Areas Will Remain Closed Until Further Notice

Based on Palm Beach County (PBC) Emergency Order No. 2020-003, effective immediately, all PBC Natural Areas are closed to the public until further notice.  This order will remain in effect until the expiration of Palm Beach County's Declaration of Emergency or until terminated or amended by further order.

PBC's Department of Environmental Resources Management will continue to monitor the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in our area and will communicate any changes in the status of our PBC Natural Areas as those changes are made. 

Please be safe and continue to monitor our social media (@PBCERM on Facebook and Instagram) and website (www.pbcerm.com or www.pbcnaturalareas.com) for updates on the status of our PBC Natural Areas.  For updates on other PBC operations and services, please visit the county's dedicated COVID-19 page: http://discover.pbcgov.org/coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx

 

  Frenchman's Forest

12201 Prosperity Farms Road, Palm Beach Gardens

Picture of the shaded observation platform overlooing an estuarine tidal creek at Frenchman's Forest Natural Area

ADA Accessible Paved Nature Trails Natural Surface Hiking Trails Information Signs Parking lot Wildlife Viewing

Every portion of this site provides habitat for at least one rare or endangered animal or plant species

Open Sunrise to Sunset, 365 Days a Year 

At a Glance

Home of Seven Ecosystems  

The wet, low-lying areas of this 172-acre natural area were once part of the headwaters of Lake Worth Creek, a meandering blackwater creek that flowed north to the Loxahatchee River. Over 500 animal and 200 plant species call this site home including great horned owl, red-bellied woodpecker, gopher tortoise, red-shouldered hawk, fish, wading bird, and manatee.

Features

  • Blazing Star Trail (paved) 0.4 miles
  • Saw Palmetto Trail (sandy) 1.3 miles
  • Staggerbush Trail (sandy) 0.6 miles
  • Archie's Creek Trail (sandy) 0.6 miles
  • Boardwalk through cypress swamp
  • Observation platform overlooking tidal swamp
  • Part of the Great Florida Bird and Wildlife Trail

 Links 

Photos