Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area
South Florida · Palm Beach County · Loxahatchee Slough / C-18 Canal
A kayak and canoe paddle into the Loxahatchee Slough from the PGA Boulevard launch in Palm Beach Gardens, following a two-mile trail west of the C-18 Canal through the headwaters wetlands of the Loxahatchee River.
Why paddle here
- A wild wetland paddle at the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River: from the PGA Boulevard launch a marked kayak trail runs two miles west of the C-18 Canal into the sawgrass sloughs and cypress of Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area.
Launches, parking and access
Where you actually put the boat in, how far you carry it and over what. This is the part official sources are worst at, so it is the part we say most plainly — including where we do not know yet.
PGA Boulevard kayak/canoe launch
- Launch type
- BYO kayak/canoe launch
- Access
- Public access
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset
- Fees
None
High confidence- Parking
- High confidence
- Carry to the water
- Carry not yet measured
Nobody has checked this yet.Report the carry — How far did you carry your boat from the parking area to the water?
- How hard that carry is
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Rate the carry — How hard was that carry with a loaded boat?
- Ground you cross
- Not yet recorded
Nobody has checked this yet.Describe the ground — What did you cross on the way — pavement, sand, stairs, loose trail?
- Boat cart
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Report cart use — Could you use a boat cart the whole way, or did you have to carry?
- Unloading
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Report unloading — Could you unload beside the water before parking, or carry the whole way?
- Restrooms and rinse
- Not yet measured from the launch
Nobody has checked this yet.Report facilities — How close are the restrooms and showers to this launch?
The PGA Boulevard kayak and canoe launch into Loxahatchee Slough, at the start of the marked trail west of the C-18 Canal.
Unconfirmed at this launch — can you help?
- Where exactly do you put the boat in the water here?Pin the launch — Where exactly do you put the boat in the water here?
Routes
Difficulty belongs to the route, not the location. One place can offer a beginner loop and an advanced crossing.
Loxahatchee Slough kayak trail
Not yet ratedOut and backPut in at PGA Boulevard kayak/canoe launch.
A marked kayak trail running about two miles one way west of the C-18 Canal into the sawgrass sloughs; open, sunny wetland with little shade.
Help verify this route
Have you paddled Loxahatchee Slough kayak trail?
- How far was this route if you tracked it?Report the distance — How far was this route if you tracked it?
- How long did it take you, and at what pace?Report the time — How long did it take you, and at what pace?
- How difficult did this route actually feel?Rate the difficulty — How difficult did this route actually feel?
- How much did wind, current or tide shape this route on the day?Report conditions — How much did wind, current or tide shape this route on the day?
What conditions do here
How much each factor typically governs a trip at this location.
These are not live conditions. This describes how much each factor typically governs a trip here. Always check the current forecast, tide table and river level before you launch.
- Wind
- Minor factor
- Current
- Not yet assessed
- Tide
- Minor factor
- Boat traffic
- Minor factor
Planning
- Exposure
- Open sawgrass slough and canal
- Seasonal
- Water levels vary seasonally and can be low in the dry season; summer heat, sun and storms with little shade.
- Best time of day
- Morning
- Reservations & permits
- None
Hazards
Other
Open, exposed wetland
Heat and sun exposure
sun and little shade
Alligators
alligators
Other
seasonal low water.
Open sawgrass-slough paddling with sun, little shade and alligators present. Follow the marked trail, carry sun protection and water, and allow time to return; check the natural area's hours before you go.
Amenities and craft
Craft suited to this water
Bringing your own boat: Yes
Amenities
- Restrooms — not recorded
- Showers — not recorded
- Picnic area — not recorded
- Food nearby — not recorded
- Drinking water — not recorded
What you will see
Rentals and outfitters
No outfitter recorded here. Bring your own boat, or check nearby locations.
PaddlePin tips
Launch at the PGA Boulevard access (8311 PGA Blvd) and follow the marked kayak trail west of the C-18 Canal, about two miles one way. It is open and sunny wetland paddling, so bring sun protection and water and go early for calm conditions and wildlife.
High confidenceBest Time of Day: Morning
High confidenceSafety Notes: Open sawgrass-slough paddling with sun, little shade and alligators present. Follow the marked trail, carry sun protection and water, and allow time to return; check the natural area's hours before you go.
High confidence
Been here? Help keep it accurate
PaddlePin is researched from official sources. Paddlers who have actually been are how it stays true.
Contributions are reviewed before anything on this page changes. PaddlePin stays the researched directory — your report is evidence we check, not an edit to it.
Sources
Where this information came from, and when we last read it.
- Primary source — discover.pbcgov.org, read
Nearby paddling
South Florida · Palm Beach County · Upper Loxahatchee River
A cypress-canopied Upper Loxahatchee paddle from Riverbend Park with short out-and-back options and a longer 8-mile Wild and Scenic river run toward Jonathan Dickinson.
Pine Glades Natural Area
Beginner routeSouth Florida · Palm Beach County · Restored freshwater marsh
An easy freshwater-marsh paddle at Pine Glades Natural Area near Jupiter, exploring restored wetlands by canoe or kayak at your own pace from the natural-area launch.
South Florida · Palm Beach County · Limestone Creek / Loxahatchee tributaries
A canoe and kayak launch at Limestone Creek Natural Area near Jupiter, opening onto the creek and tributaries of the Loxahatchee system - with boardwalk and footbridge reconstruction underway, so check current access.