Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) is part of the Bureau of Land Management’s 27-million acre National Conservation Lands; and the only complete unit east of the Mississippi River. In close proximity to several million people, and embedded in Florida’s urbanized Treasure Coast, the 120-acre site in northern Palm Beach County has a remarkable array of natural and cultural resources. Its location at the confluence of the Loxahatchee River and Indian River Lagoon, just one and a half miles from the Atlantic Ocean, has made the site a popular and strategic site of human occupation for the past 5,000 years.
The ONA designation was established by Congress primarily to protect natural, historical, and cultural resources along with scenic, scientific, education and recreational values. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA is one of three sites afforded this designation. Congress established Oregon’s Yaquina Head in 1980; the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and the Piedras Blancas Light Station in California were established in May of 2008. Besides providing the public with opportunities to visit the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, the ONA offers a variety of other visitor experiences. Take a gentle walk along a hardened trail and boardwalk though native and restored Florida coastal habitats, or participate in exciting interpretive programs regarding the site’s unique military history and its important role in World War II.
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Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)
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The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area is divided into 4 main areas: a historic corridor where the lighthouse and other structures are located; a dispersed-use area with trails, a boardwalk, and a scenic overlook; a shoreline with an 800-foot beach; and a municipal park within the boundaries of the ONA. Visitors can get to the ONA using public transportation. Cell phone reception is excellent.
On the last Sunday of each month, The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum offers a program called Sensory Sensitive Morning at the Lighthouse: Sensory-Friendly Experiences for Children on the Autism Spectrum. Check this calendar for more details.
Historic Corridor
Parking for the historic corridor is in the paved lot near the Museum entrance. This lot has 6 designated accessible spaces. Ramps provide accessible entry to the Museum on the left side of the building.
A concrete path leads to the restrooms with flush toilets and an accessible drinking fountain. Wheelchairs can be checked out from the Museum, for use in the building and on the larger site.
A brick-and-concrete trail, which is uneven in some places, runs through the historic corridor. On the way to the lighthouse, the trail passes by four accessible structures: the lighthouse keeper’s residence, the keeper’s workshop, a meeting room, and the lighthouse deck. There are angled interpretive signs.
A virtual-reality headset can be used to take a virtual tour of the lighthouse. Ask museum staff about this BLM resource. An audio tour of the site is also available. Use the QR code on the visitor map to download the phone app needed for this tour.
Although there is an accessible pier near the Historic Corridor, the transition from the natural ground surface to the ramp leading to the pier has some erosion, which may pose challenges for some visitors with limited mobility.
Dispersed-Use Area
There are 2 parking lots for this area. The north lot has 8 paved spots, including a signed accessible space. The south lot has 22 parking spots, 2 of which are designated as accessible. This lot has a hardened natural surface. There are no toilets and no running water.
The north lot is next to a 2-mile loop trail, the first ½ mile of which is accessible. This portion of the trail is a concrete path that leads to a gently sloping boardwalk, which goes to a covered scenic overlook. Parts of the boardwalk have handrails, and the overlook has benches with no arms.
The trails near the south lot are relatively rough. They may accommodate some mobility devices but probably not a typical wheelchair.
In the south lot, interpretive signs direct users to Agents of Discovery Junior Ranger missions. Download the app to find the augmented-reality missions, which accommodate different learning styles.
Shoreline
This part of the site, which consists of an 800-foot sandy beach, is likely to be challenging for visitors who use mobility devices. However, staff can provide a roll-out access mat, upon request.
Municipal Park
The park is maintained by the town of Jupiter and has some accessible play equipment.
Near the children’s play area are 2 paved, designated accessible parking spaces that share an access aisle for vehicles with a side ramp or lift. There are also 6 designated accessible parking spaces with access aisles in the paved parking lot near the Museum.
The park has 2 flush toilets, which are opened only for sports activities. No drinking water is available.
The toilets are next to a concrete path that has benches without arms and trash cans. The children’s play area is on mulch, which might be hard for wheelchairs to navigate.
Shade structures cover picnic tables and a bench without arms sitting on concrete. The picnic tables can accommodate wheelchair users.
Note: Descriptions and photos uploaded April 2025. Actual on-the-ground conditions may vary due to natural events (e.g., weather, wildfires, erosion), normal wear and tear, or site improvements.
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Directions
From Federal Highway 1 in Jupiter, turn east on to South Beach Road (S.R 707/C.R. 707) towards Jupiter Island. Take the first right for access to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum and the first left for access to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA's Natural Area Trails.