Jupiter Lighthouse Coast Guard Trail

Jupiter Lighthouse Coast Guard Trail is a lovely, shady trail that takes you past little beaches on the intracoastal and up close to the lighthouse! I didn't know it was free and easy to access until I had lived in Jupiter many years. I thought you had to pay to enter the lighthouse in order to explore this area, but you don't! The trail starts in one of three parking lots that are part of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, so it can be hard to find it or describe to others where it is (see directions and map below). 

After you park, you head on the trail straight toward the intracoastal. It can be confusing because you see a locked gate- this is not the trail!- the trail is just an open little path and it is in the direction of the intracoastal.
There are a few different choices as you walk the trail, but generally you will end up taking a loop and not getting lost. Some things you will see along the way are: Catos Bridge, which you can watch raise up or down if there's a tall boat going under, tiny beaches along the intracoastal with beautiful driftwood and incredible technicolor turquoise water, wildflowers, the lighthouse directly above you very close, and the back of the coast guard buildings. The trail is shady and lovely! It is white sand and wood chips, which can get in your shoes if they aren't tied tight. 
In the afternoon the beaches are all taken by fishermen and beachgoers, but if you come in the morning you will have most of them to yourself.
This loop walk is about 1.5 km and is pure joy!
Across Beach Rd is another fun path, Jupiter Lighthouse Natural Area. It is paved and shorter. It leads to a little gazebo on an overgrown section of the intracoastal, and has cute animals prints in the cement path. You can just cross Beach Rd and do this path too, to extend your walk!
It's also nice to do the Jupiter Lighthouse Tour and climb to the top of the lighthouse if you have more time, or if you want to just pop in for a minute, visit its gift shop and hang out at its picnic area on the water. 

Directions

There are three parking lots with the same official name- Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, so check the map below carefully so that you know where to go. 
From Highway 1, after you turn on Beach Rd, turn into the second driveway on your right to find this hike.
These are the three driveways that I will explain, in case you get lost:
From Highway 1, when you turn on Beach Rd, there will first be a first parking lot on your right for the Jupiter Lighthouse tour. Don't take that turn. It has a stop sign at its exit and a big sports field on the left. On google maps it is called Captain Armours Way. This is not the turn! 
Instead, turn into the second parking lot on the right. It is unmarked, but you can see the lighthouse in front of you when you turn into it. When you turn into it you see a locked gate directly in front of you and some parking spaces. On google maps this street is called Coast Guard Way but there is no street sign in real life. This is the turn! The trail starts NOT at the locked gate, but at the little path that leads toward the intracoastal.
A third parking lot is on the opposite side of Beach Rd and has a beautiful sign that says Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area. It is a left turn once you are on Beach Rd. This is not the turn!
If you get to the bridge you have gone too far. 
There is plenty of free parking at this hike, but no restrooms.
After you park your car, take the trail that leads directly toward the intracoastal waterway.

Click on map for interactive view