10035 Indiantown Road
Jupiter

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This place is vast. So vast, that an afternoon's visit barely dents the potential of the Cypress Creek Natural Area. With 2,083 acres north of Indiantown Road, plus tracts south of Indiantown, it is among the largest natural areas in Palm Beach County, and among the newest.

It offers literally miles of hiking trails, some intended for equestrian use, bikes and foot traffic, some limited to foot only. There are also crushed-rock trails that are accessible. By and large, the area is wide open, the trails broad and easy to walk and follow. We've visited the area in winter and spring when conditions were dry, but we could see a few spots that would be under a little water and more challenging during the rainy season. There is parking, a few interpretive signs, shelters and observation platforms but no toilets or drinking water.

Cypress Creek covers seven habitat types, including cypress forest, pine flatwoods, wet prairies and marshes. We spotted a few wading birds, including little blue and tricolor herons, snowy egrets, sandpipers and kildeer. In wooded areas, we found red-bellied woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, warblers, and more. An unexpected treat in February: pawpaw in full bloom. In meadows, wild turkey. We also saw blue-eyed grass, roundpod St. John's wort, horned bladderwort, hat pins, purple thistle, American bluehearts, yellow-eyed grass, spatterdock and pickerel weed. Among the more common trees: slash pine, cabbage palm, live oak and wax myrtle. Update: Cypress Creek South Tract has opened.

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