My wife and I like to camp at least once a month, so for the New Year’s weekend we decided to camp at John Prince Campground. The campground is located on the South end of John Prince Park. The park is about five miles west of I-95 in Lake Worth Florida, and is owned and operated by Palm Beach County. We were quiet pleased when we arrived to see that this campground was so family oriented and has so much to offer.

John Prince Park covers more than seven hundred acres and has a large variety of recreational activities. Some of the park activities include fishing, boating, skiing, playgrounds, fitness trail, bicycling, driving range, and a nature trail. In addition, there are lighted basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts. Wanting to play a family soccer game, there is two athletic fields large enough to accommodate any outdoor sport. Inside the park is seven miles of paved bicycle path, also suitable for jogging. The fitness trail is located in the center of the park, it is made of mulch and is a little over one mile in length and has twenty stretching locations. Unlike most State Parks, there is no fee for admittance into this park.

The campground covers forty-eight acres with 277 lots. Forty six of these sites sit adjacent to Lake Osborne. Many others have a great view of the Lake. Located throughout the campground are four shower buildings with restrooms, three large playgrounds for the younger ones, and a petanque court. All the lots are paved and provide water with thirty or fifty amp service, while some are full hookup.

If you like riding bicycles as my wife and I do, then this is an excellent place. If you leave the campground and follow the bike path it is eight and a half miles to the end of the bike path. At this point you have a choice, turn around or ride for two and a half miles on the sidewalk to get back to the entrance of the park. I don’t recommend riding on the highway. Our day always started by walking a mile to the fitness trail for an early morning jog. Upon returning to the camper, a small breakfast prepared on our outdoor camping stove is just the ticket to build up a little energy. After clean up duties, it’s time for our bicycle ride around the paved trail, a great way to burn the breakfast calories off. Mind you, she does it for the exercise, I do it for leisure, and of course she leaves me behind.

In the evening we normally use our camping grill to prepare dinner. Afterwards a nice walk around the campground is very enjoyable. We always find it amazing how many fellow campers will speak to us as we walk by; it appears that most campers are just as eager to meet new people, as we are. Not only is this a great way to learn something about other places, but their culture as well.

Article by Larry West