Ocean to Lake Trail: Luckey Hammock to Kitching Creek (Jonathan Dickinson State Park)

Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area, Riverbend Park, and Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Jupiter area)

“Cypress reflected in Kitching Creek, Jonathan Dickinson State Park” by Bob Peterson , CC BY 2.0 · Source · Resized for the web

The Ocean to Lake Trail is part of the Florida Trail system, and Florida Hikes calls it a fractal of the entire Florida Trail, a microcosm of every habitat you’d see on an end-to-end hike. Its eastern end, from the Luckey Tract of the Loxahatchee Slough to Kitching Creek in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, is 10.7 miles of rugged scrambles through cypress-lined tributaries of the Loxahatchee River. Florida Hikes recommends the trail as an excellent place to try backpacking in Florida.

Expect wet feet, and check the water levels: at flood stage, some crossings become dangerous.

The hike

The segment starts at Luckey Hammock campsite. Florida Hikes describes it as deep shade under a dense tropical cabbage palm forest within the Luckey Tract of the Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area. Its mileage chart for the full Ocean to Lake Trail lists Soggy Socks campsite, Luckey Hammock campsite, Riverbend Park, Cypress Creek East campsite, and Kitching Creek campsite in order heading east.

On Florida Hikes’ mileage chart for the full trail, Soggy Socks campsite is at mile 40.6, Luckey Hammock at 42.0, Riverbend Park at 45.4 (0.4 mile off the trail), Cypress Creek East at 50.0, and Kitching Creek campsite at 52.5. Beyond Kitching Creek, the chart lists the Kitching Creek trailhead at 53.2 and a Scrub Jay campsite at 55.9, so the trip can be extended east through the park. Farther west, the chart shows the Loxahatchee Slough tower at mile 37.9.

From Luckey Hammock, Florida Hikes says, the trail passes near Riverbend Park, where there are privies, then continues east through cypress-lined tributaries of the Loxahatchee. It describes crossing the original bridge over Cypress Creek. At 8.2 miles, a side trail leads to the Cypress Creek East campsite, which Florida Hikes says requires no permit or payment.

Flooding is the main hazard. Florida Hikes warns that the Loxahatchee River and its tributaries can rise and swamp the trail and its bridges, and that Cypress Creek and Hobe Groves Canal are especially dangerous at flood stage.

The route then enters Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Florida Hikes describes a self-pay station for entering the park on foot and for camping. A sign and a white-blazed side trail lead 0.2 mile to the Kitching Creek campsite, where Florida Hikes shows a backpacking tent set up for the night. It says camping at Kitching Creek requires a small fee and a reservation through the park.

The Visit Florida hiking brochure, published by Florida DEP, describes Jonathan Dickinson’s own backpacking loops, the East Loop and the Kitching Creek Loop, each with its own primitive campsite, and the Kitching Creek Nature Trail looping out to a cypress-lined creek. It also mentions an observation tower on 86-foot Hobe Mountain with an ocean view.

West of Luckey Hammock, Florida Hikes describes the 12.1-mile segment from the Corbett Wildlife Management Area to the Luckey Tract, through the Hungryland Slough and the Loxahatchee Slough, and calls another western segment a vast watery wilderness comparable to Big Cypress and the Everglades.

Florida Hikes also notes that designated campsites must be used on the Ocean to Lake Trail.

For the Florida Trail’s southern terminus, see the Florida Trail through Big Cypress.

Tips

Check water levels. Florida Hikes says flooding swamps the trail and bridges, and Cypress Creek and Hobe Groves Canal are dangerous at flood stage.
Reserve Kitching Creek. Florida Hikes says to call Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Camp only at designated sites.
Bring entry payment for the state park. There’s a self-pay station for hikers entering on foot.
Expect wet feet. The route scrambles through cypress-lined creeks.

Camping

Florida Hikes says designated campsites must be used on the Ocean to Lake Trail. On this segment, those include Luckey Hammock, Cypress Creek East (no permit or payment required, per Florida Hikes), and Kitching Creek (fee and reservation through Jonathan Dickinson State Park). Confirm rules with each land manager before you go.

Inside Intel: Luckey Hammock makes a shady start under a dense cabbage palm canopy, according to Florida Hikes. If you want a stop with no permit needed, Cypress Creek East sits just off the trail at 8.2 miles. Kitching Creek, at the end, puts you inside Jonathan Dickinson State Park, where the brochure describes more backpacking loops to explore.

Trail facts

Distance: About 10.7 miles, Luckey Hammock to Kitching Creek
Route type: Point to point
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous; creek scrambles and possible flooding
Campsites: Luckey Hammock, Cypress Creek East, Kitching Creek (designated)
Water: Creeks and river. Treat all water.
Permits: Kitching Creek requires a reservation; Cypress Creek East requires none (Florida Hikes)
Hazards: Flooding at Cypress Creek and Hobe Groves Canal
Trailheads: Luckey Tract area (Jupiter); Kitching Creek trailhead in Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Last verified: October 2, 2026

The Lowdown

Supper at Kitching Creek:

After a day of creek scrambles on the Ocean to Lake Trail, a hot meal hits the spot. See which camp stoves testers trust.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.