What we’re about
Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club plans several events each month for exploring and appreciating nature. Some of these last a day, some last a week or longer. They are local and they are long-distance. Activities include kayaking and canoeing, backpacking, hiking and biking, snorkeling, car camping and wilderness or river camping. In addition, we have monthly meetings at Okeeheelee Nature Center with guest speakers on environmental and other topics of interest.
This site and these events are functions of Palm Beach Pack and Paddle Club. In addition to these activities, our Conservation Committee raises funds to send children to summer nature camp and donates to local organizations that help to preserve our unique Florida environment.
You're welcome to attend our Meetups and be a Meetup Member only, but we would like you to become a member of our club. The cost is only $20 a year. Most of our trips are on the Meetup site, but there are many trips available to club members only, particularly those that involve long-distance travel or overnight stays. There is never a charge by the club for any of our activities.
If you wish to join Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club, the application link is above. You may join by mailing the completed application (above) with a check payable to Palm Beach Pack and Paddle Club to the address at the bottom of the form. Or, come to an event, join and pay in cash, or, use the Paypal link below.
Pay Pal Payment
We hope you will become part of our Club family. Gerry & Geoff
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 4 Nights Halloween Camping at DuPuis Preserve (Management Area)DuPuis Preserve (Water Management Area), Gate 1, Canal Point, FL
DATES:
Come for all or part of these dates.ABOUT:
The DU PUIS PRESERVE is a property owned by South Florida Water Management District and is made available for camping by reserving using the link below. Camping is free, but you cannot get in the gate without a SUL, Special Use License.The DuPuis Management Area is a 21,875-acre multi-use natural area located in near Canal Point between Indiantown and Port Mayaca in Palm Beach and Martin counties. It contains ponds, wet prairies, cypress domes, pine flatwoods and remnant Everglades marsh. The area provides 22 miles of hiking and 40 miles of horseback trails, an equestrian center, graded vehicle roads, backpack and group campsites and seasonal hunting. DuPuis is far from urban areas, and its dark night sky lends itself to excellent stargazing.
Come and explore the nature center with interpretive displays, or walk the nature trail and butterfly garden*.* Other activities include fishing from the partially covered pier, hiking along the Cypress boardwalk, picnicking or enjoying primitive group and family camping. Special events or programs such as stargazing may be offered during the cooler months. Learn about these by calling (561) 924-5310.
This is primitive camping, although you can have an RV, but will have no services for it. RVs are not allowed in the Family Tent Camping Area, which is where we will be. There is another section for RVs.
BRING:
All food, cooking gear, water, firewood (at least 2 per person) flashlights, tent, sleeping bags, etc. The only services available are an compostable outhouse and 1 water spigot. You will get a combination for gate when you reserve and obtain your special use license.We come to relax, enjoy nature, use the hiking trails, fish from the dock on the lake, and learn from nature. Bring cards or board games if you wish.
We will have a PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST, so bring your pumpkin. We'll have the carving tools.
REMINDER:
You must make your own reservations through South Florida Water Managment's website. See Below*.* There is no charge for camping here.Contact Mike La Tour for questions/answers @ 561-568-8925.
Open to anyone interested in camping and, of course, to the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle club membership.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION WITH THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT HERE:
https://www.sfwmd.gov/community-residents/recreation/sul
You will have to set up an account if you don't have one, then can make your reservation. Make it for Family Tent Camping at Gate 1.DIRECTIONS:
- 20350 SW Kanner Hwy, Canal Point (Gate 1 entrance)
- From WPB: Blue Heron Blvd to Beeline Highway
- Take Beeline to intersection with SR 76/Kanner Hwy
- Go west (left) about 7 miles to DuPuis Preserve (DuPuis Water Management Area), Gate 1
- Proceed to Family Campground
- Enter code you received when you registered with SFWMUD to proceed beyond the gate
- Look for Mike's white Chevy Malibu and for Mike in white cowboy hat!
- River Camping at Fisheating Creek, PalmdaleFisheating Creek, Palmdale, FL
https://fisheatingcreekoutpost.com/
Fisheating Creek is located west of Lake Okeechobee near Palmdale, and, after the Kissimmee River, is the second largest source of water for the lake. The land bordering the creek was purchased by the State of Florida in 1989 and the outpost is operated under contract with The Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area. The creek is more or less 50 miles long. It's curious name was given to it by native peoples who called it "the place by the river where fish are eaten."
You will enjoy the sights and sounds on this beautiful and peaceful river. There are so many birds to view and, in the evening, they roost together.
I will camp at Fisheating Creek Outpost Campground the first night (Sunday) and the last night (Thursday)**. Click on the link above for camping and shuttle information. Anyone who wants to can arrive to catch the shuttle on Monday morning and just join us for the trip. Some people may want to leave on Thursday after the paddling trip. We river camped there at this time of the year several years ago and it was beautiful. There was mist in the morning and, at that time of year, the sun turns the landscape a golden color. The trip is approximately 16 miles long. This trip is water level dependent. There are also kayaks for rent.
We will take a shuttle to Ingram's Crossing which is the farthest upriver we can put in. We will paddle a short distance to a lake on the river where we will camp the first night.
The next day, we'll continue paddling down the river to camp at Sand Lake, where we will likely see roseate spoonbills.
Day three, depending on accessibility, we will camp at either Burnt Bridge or Lemon Lake.
On day four, we'll continue down the river and take out at Fisheating Creek Outpost Campground.
Contact Nancy Doucette (828) 556-8938 kayakldy8@gmail.com.