Things to Do in Loxahatchee, Florida
Drive-through wildlife, a vast Everglades refuge and the farm roads of western Palm Beach County.
See things to do »Loxahatchee at a Glance
Most lists of things to do in Loxahatchee, Florida start and end with the safari park, and that undersells the place. Loxahatchee is the name on the mailboxes across a wide sweep of western Palm Beach County, roughly 17 miles inland from West Palm Beach, where paved boulevards give way to shell-rock lanes, plant nurseries, horse paddocks and canals. Its attractions are almost all about animals and open land, which makes it a good half-day or full-day escape from the coast.
The headline stop is Lion Country Safari, a drive-through wildlife park on Southern Boulevard that has operated since 1967. You stay in your own car while rhinos, zebras, giraffes and antelope roam beside the road. The park has been changing in 2026: the property changed hands late in 2025, the rides and water-play area were removed from the walk-through section, and the campground next door has closed. The drive-through itself carries on, so check the park’s own site for what is open before you go.
For wilder country, the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, formally the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, protects more than 145,000 acres of the northern Everglades. Its main entrance is on Lee Road west of Boynton Beach, about a half-hour drive south, and it is one of the best places in the county to watch wading birds and alligators from a walking trail or a canoe.
Closer in, the Town of Loxahatchee Groves is a small farm town that incorporated in 2006 to keep its rural character. Its lettered dirt roads lead past nurseries, sod fields, horse farms, a cage-free dog rescue and a working farm that hosts chef dinners in the cooler months. It is not a sightseeing town in the usual sense, but it shows a side of Palm Beach County that most visitors never see.
The landscape is part of the appeal. This is flat, wet country, laced with drainage canals dug a century ago to make farming possible, and it still floods after big storms. Sandhill cranes stalk the pastures, red-shouldered hawks perch on fence posts, and on summer afternoons towering thunderheads build over the Everglades to the west. Mornings in the cooler months, from November to April, are the most pleasant time to be out, and they are when the wildlife is most active at both the safari park and the refuge.
Getting here is simple. Southern Boulevard (State Road 80) runs west from I-95 and Palm Beach International Airport straight past the Groves and on to the safari park, while Okeechobee Boulevard parallels it to the north. You need a car; there is no useful transit, and distances are long. This guide covers the three areas worth your time, a short list of places to eat in Loxahatchee and the yearly events nearby. If you are planning a longer stay, our free trip-quote form puts you in touch with a travel specialist, and Best of Palm Beach County lists local businesses across the county.
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Top-Rated Things to Do in Loxahatchee
Tours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Loxahatchee Guide may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Places to Eat in Loxahatchee
Loxahatchee is not a restaurant town, but you will not go hungry: two country bar-and-grills with live music on Southern Boulevard, a well-reviewed Thai kitchen at Groves Commons, and seasonal chef dinners served in the fields of a Loxahatchee Groves farm.
Loxahatchee Area Events
Winter is the busy season: the South Florida Fair fills the fairgrounds on Southern Boulevard in January, the wildlife refuge holds Everglades Day in February, and Yesteryear Village dresses up for Halloween and Christmas.
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Loxahatchee — FAQ
Where is Loxahatchee, Florida?
In western Palm Beach County, about 17 miles west of West Palm Beach. It sits north of Wellington and west of Royal Palm Beach, and shares the 33470 ZIP code with The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves.
What are the main things to do in Loxahatchee?
Lion Country Safari’s drive-through wildlife park, birding and paddling at the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, and the farm roads, nurseries and equestrian trails of Loxahatchee Groves. The South Florida Fair runs each winter on the fairgrounds just to the east.
Is Lion Country Safari still open?
Yes. The park changed owners in late 2025 and removed its rides and water-play area in early 2026, and the neighboring campground closed, but the drive-through safari remains open. Check the park’s website for current hours and what is operating.
Is Loxahatchee the same as Loxahatchee Groves?
Not quite. Loxahatchee is a postal name covering a large unincorporated area. Loxahatchee Groves is a separate incorporated town of about 12.5 square miles along Southern and Okeechobee boulevards.
Is the Loxahatchee River near here?
No. Despite the shared name, the Loxahatchee River flows through Jupiter, about 30 miles to the northeast. Our sister guide to The Acreage covers Riverbend Park, the closest place to paddle it.
Where can I stay near Loxahatchee?
Lodging in Loxahatchee itself is limited to a few vacation rentals. Most visitors stay in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach or near Palm Beach International Airport, all within about 20 to 30 minutes.