Spent last night in Dickenson State Park near Jupiter, Florida.

Dickenson is located in a protected area of protected wilderness featuring "Sand Pine Scrub." This is the way much of the Florida coast used to look like before development came along. They'd executed a controlled burn at some point in the past near the entrance which means as I drove into the park, it looked like a forest fire a year earlier had destroyed several miles of whatever there used to be to like about this place.

But deep into the park -- the campsite is four miles drive inland -- the campsite itself is a lush, jungle-like area with lots of greenery seperating each campsite and making it feel secluded and cozy. There also weren't many people there so it was quiet and natural. Compared to many of the parking lot style campgrounds I've been in, this one felt more like real camping.

On the morning after my arrival I got on the bike and rode about 10 miles through the park. It's pretty barren and you have to really slow down and be patient to appreciate it much like you have to look for slower, hidden things in a desert.

Near the entrance of the park is a wooden tower erected on the highest hill in the park (there aren't many!) The tower offers a panoramic view of the town of Jupiter and the Atlantic ocean to the east and the rest of the park to the west. This would be a great place to take photos of a good summer thunderstorm as it passes in the distance.

Highly recommended and under appreciated campsite. Has river access that probably goes out to the ocean and 'gators if you look for them.